According to Lidl managing director Antti Tiitola, the Schwarz Group-owned discount grocer has slowed its pace of expansion in Finland due to its increasing saturation in the market.

The retailer now plans to open just two to five stores each year.

Lidl has more than 130 stores in Finland, with an overall target of about 150. Since its launch in Finland in 2002, Lidl has doubled the range of products it sells there, from its initial 800 SKUs.