Is Lidl ethical and sustainable?
Lidl has been measured by the Sustainable Brand Index – the largest independent study of sustainability and brands in Europe – across 4 Nordic markets.
Is Lidl ethical?
The Sustainable Brand Index does not audit companies. It measures how consumers see a brand's environmental and social responsibility, which is close to what most people mean by ethical. On that measure, Lidl ranks #23 in the Netherlands in 2026, its strongest of 4 markets. A lower number is better.
Key takeaways
- Strongest market today: the Netherlands at 23rd (2026).
- All-time best result: 14th in the Netherlands (2023).
- Biggest year-over-year improvement in Denmark: moved up 8 positions from 2025 to 2026.
- Biggest year-over-year drop in Sweden: slipped 16 positions from 2025 to 2026.
- Measured for 16 years (2011–2026) across 4 markets.
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Lidl's ranking trend
Lower is better · #1 = most sustainable in marketAnnual position within each country's full brand universe, 2011–2026.
🇫🇮Lidl in Finland
Grocery Stores| Year | Rank in Finland |
|---|---|
| 2014 | #50 |
| 2015 | #49 |
| 2016 | #51 |
| 2017 | #33 |
| 2018 | #36 |
| 2019 | #38 |
| 2020 | #42 |
| 2021 | #65 |
| 2022 | #53 |
| 2023 | #36 |
| 2024 | #62 |
| 2025 | #76 |
| 2026 | #85 |
🇩🇰Lidl in Denmark
Grocery Stores| Year | Rank in Denmark |
|---|---|
| 2014 | #45 |
| 2015 | #52 |
| 2016 | #36 |
| 2017 | #50 |
| 2018 | #48 |
| 2019 | #24 |
| 2020 | #37 |
| 2021 | #25 |
| 2022 | #38 |
| 2023 | #48 |
| 2024 | #46 |
| 2025 | #39 |
| 2026 | #31 |
🇸🇪Lidl in Sweden
Grocery Stores| Year | Rank in Sweden |
|---|---|
| 2011 | #114 |
| 2012 | #137 |
| 2013 | #165 |
| 2014 | #117 |
| 2015 | #143 |
| 2016 | #125 |
| 2017 | #116 |
| 2018 | #129 |
| 2019 | #85 |
| 2020 | #98 |
| 2021 | #135 |
| 2022 | #94 |
| 2023 | #75 |
| 2024 | #86 |
| 2025 | #72 |
| 2026 | #88 |
🇳🇱Lidl in the Netherlands
Grocery Stores| Year | Rank in the Netherlands |
|---|---|
| 2017 | #22 |
| 2018 | #20 |
| 2019 | #20 |
| 2020 | #29 |
| 2021 | #27 |
| 2022 | #21 |
| 2023 | #14 |
| 2024 | #20 |
| 2025 | #22 |
| 2026 | #23 |
Want to know what's behind Lidl's ranking?
The full brand report shows your sustainability score, what's driving it, how you compare to competitors, and where you're exposed – with 16 years of trend data.
Questions about Lidl
Is Lidl a sustainable brand?
Lidl has been measured by the Sustainable Brand Index since 2011. Most recent rankings: Finland #85 (2026); Denmark #31 (2026); Sweden #88 (2026); the Netherlands #23 (2026). Lower rank numbers mean consumers see the brand as more sustainable.
Is Lidl ethical?
The Sustainable Brand Index does not audit companies. It measures how consumers see a brand's environmental and social responsibility, which is close to what most people mean by ethical. On that measure, Lidl ranks #23 in the Netherlands in 2026, its strongest of 4 markets. A lower number is better.
How sustainable is Lidl in Finland?
In Finland, Lidl ranks #85 in 2026 (industry: Grocery Stores). Its best position was #33 in 2017.
How sustainable is Lidl in Denmark?
In Denmark, Lidl ranks #31 in 2026 (industry: Grocery Stores). Its best position was #24 in 2019.
How sustainable is Lidl in Sweden?
In Sweden, Lidl ranks #88 in 2026 (industry: Grocery Stores). Its best position was #72 in 2025.
How sustainable is Lidl in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, Lidl ranks #23 in 2026 (industry: Grocery Stores). Its best position was #14 in 2023.
Where does this data on Lidl come from?
From the Sustainable Brand Index, an independent consumer study run by SB Insight since 2011, with more than 80,000 interviews a year in Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Source: Sustainable Brand Index 2026, SB Insight.
About the ranking
The Sustainable Brand Index measures how consumers perceive a brand's sustainability – both environmental and social responsibility. Rankings are based on annual surveys of more than 80,000 consumers across Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. Brands are ranked within their industry and country.
Read the full methodology →