Lidl-hub

Lidl International Hub

Lidl’s International Hub in Barcelona is a massive technology and digital powerhouse located in the 22@ tech district. It serves as the global center for the company’s digital transformation, specifically focusing on e-commerce, customer loyalty (Lidl Plus), and CRM systems.

Core Operations: Retail & MSCRM

The hub is divided into specialized units that support Lidl’s operations in 32 countries:

  • Lidl Digital (Retail Tech): This team builds and manages the global e-commerce platform. They handle everything from the online shop infrastructure to the logistics software that ensures products reach customers across Europe.
  • MSCRM (Microsoft Customer Relationship Management): This is a critical unit dedicated to managing customer data and interactions at scale. They use Microsoft Dynamics 365 to power Lidl’s marketing automation and personalized customer journeys.
  • Lidl Plus: The development and optimization of the Lidl Plus loyalty app—one of the most downloaded retail apps in Europe—is largely managed from this hub.
  • Data & Analytics: The hub employs data scientists to analyze consumer behavior, helping the company optimize pricing, stock, and promotional offers globally.

It houses over 500 specialists, including software engineers, cloud architects, and CRM experts. It is a highly international environment where English is the primary language of business.

Barcelona Retail Tech Open Innovation Safari

Barcelona Retail Tech Open Innovation Safari

Explore one of Europe’s most dynamic ecosystems of retail, consumer experience and digital innovation

Location: Barcelona – Themes: Retail Tech / Customer Experience / Omnichannel / AI – Duration: One Day

The Barcelona Retail Tech Open Innovation Safari is a one-day immersive experience designed for professionals who want to explore how technology is transforming the retail sector and consumer behavior.

Led by Certified Innovation Safari Sherpa Francesc Saldaña, this Safari introduces explorers to the retail innovation ecosystem of Barcelona and Catalonia, where global brands, startups and innovation hubs are redefining the future of shopping through digitalization, data and new customer experiences.

During the experience, explorers will discover how retailers are integrating physical and digital channels, leveraging data and AI, and creating new formats that enhance engagement, personalization and operational efficiency.

Explorers will explore topics such as:

  • retail tech and digital transformation
  • omnichannel and phygital experiences
  • AI and data-driven personalization
  • new retail formats and customer journeys

Innovation Safaris allow professionals to experience innovation where it actually happens.

The experience

The Safari combines curated exploration with interactive activities designed to encourage learning, discussion and inspiration.

Explorers will explore key innovation hotspots across Catalonia’s retail ecosystem:

  • Mango – A global fashion retailer leading digital transformation, omnichannel integration and data-driven retail strategies.
  • Desigual – A brand known for experimenting with customer experience, retail formats and digital engagement.
  • Girona Next – A regional innovation hub connecting retail, tourism and digital transformation initiatives.
  • La Roca Village – A benchmark in experiential retail, combining physical retail with premium customer experience and tourism-driven innovation.

Participants will:

  • explore innovative retail environments and flagship stores
  • meet professionals and innovators shaping the future of retail
  • join an innovation workshop with other explorers focused on customer experience, digitalization and new business models
  • discuss how retail innovation can inspire transformation across industries

This immersive approach helps participants better understand how Retail Tech ecosystems operate in practice.

What explorers will gain

Explorers will learn and design by:

  • discovering emerging trends in retail and consumer behavior
  • understanding how technology transforms customer experience
  • connecting with key players in the retail ecosystem
  • generating ideas and inspiration for new retail concepts and business models

Who Should Join

  • corporate innovation leaders
  • retail and e-commerce professionals
  • marketing and customer experience managers
  • entrepreneurs and startup founders
  • digital transformation leaders
  • professionals from any sector interested in customer-centric innovation

Participants from different sectors are encouraged to join and share perspectives.

Limited group to ensure a high-quality exploration experience.