RICHMOND, VA - After some recent speculation, Lidl has announced that it will spend $202 million to build its U.S. headquarters and a separate new distribution center in Virginia.

“We are excited to take this important step to launch Lidl’s expansion into the United States and look forward to introducing American consumers to a different type of shopping experience,” said Brendan Proctor, the President and CEO of Lidl US.

Lidl will invest $77 million in for its Arlington County-based headquarters and construct a $125 million distribution center and regional headquarters in Spotsylvania County, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said.

This news comes right on the heels of Aldi's announcement that it would open up to 45 new stores in Southern California in a massive $3 billion investment. Both Aldi and Lidl are some of the UK's most competitive grocers, and with this recent slate of expansions it appears that their rivalry is about to heat up in the U.S.

According to the Washington Times, Lidl's expansion will create 500 jobs at the U.S. headquarters and 200 jobs at the Spotsylvania County site.

“Lidl’s investment demonstrates Virginia’s ability to attract companies from all over the globe,” McAuliffe said in a statement.

Lidl had previously said it would launch in the U.S. by 2018. In Europe, Lidl operates nearly 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe.

Lidl