Lidl Austria has named Michael Kunz as its new chief executive officer effective 1 August 2024.
Kunz will succeed Alessandro Wolf in the new role, the retailer added.
Kunz is an experienced professional with 20 years’ worth of experience in retail.
In 2011, he started his career at Lidl Switzerland as a regional manager.
Before moving to Austria, Kunz worked as the managing director of the discounter’s regional company in Sévaz, Switzerland.
He joined Lidl Austria in 2020 as managing director for sales and logistics.
Other Management Changes
Kunz will succeed Alessandro Wolf, who will take on the role of divisional director at the Lidl Foundation from September 2024.
In the new role, Wolf will be responsible for several countries and play a key role in shaping their development.
Nicholas Pennanen, who was previously named Wolf’s successor, will continue as the chief executive officer of Lidl Switzerland.
Elsewhere, Benny Klein will move to Lidl Austria from Lidl Switzerland in August to take over as managing director for sales and logistics.
Currently, Klein serves as regional managing director of Lidl Switzerland.
Sven Joller will succeed him in Switzerland as regional managing director.
Lidl Austria
Lidl Austria saw a 0.6% increase in market share last year, to hold 5.9% of the market, data from GfK showed.
Local companies that collaborated with the discounter generated over €1.1 billion in added value, including €500 million through exports of local food to other countries, it added.
Lidl relies on Austrian suppliers and producers for almost 50% of the food sold in its stores across the country.
