Lidl, which originally planned to open its first U.S. stores in early 2018, says it is moving that date up to this summer.
The retailer said in a news release it plans to start the first wave of 20 store openings in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Lidl plans to move fast, the company said, in a news release. Within a year, it hopes to have 100 stores up and running.
"Thanks to the efficient work of our team, we are excited to announce that Lidl will open its first stores in the United States ahead of schedule," said Brendan Proctor, president and CEO of Lidl US, in a news release.
Lidl has 10,000 stores in 27 countries throughout Europe. The company opened a U.S. headquarters in Arlington County, Va., in June 2015, and plans to operate regional offices and distribution centers in Spotsylvania County, Va., Alamance County, N.C., and Cecil County, Md.