Lidl will put its Esmara Beige Ladies’ Raincoat on sale in UK stores from Sunday, Nov 1, at £14.99 for Lidl Plus members and £17.99 for everyone else. At a glance, it looks a lot like coats costing £180 at Next and £90 at John Lewis.
New Special Buy lines reach Lidl’s Middle Aisle every Thursday and Sunday, and this weekend’s batch is a range of “Winter Clothing” items. The coat comes in small, medium and large, in beige, navy or leopard print.
What the coat is
It is 100% polyester, with a hood, side pockets, and a full two-way zip with storm guard and press studs. Lidl describes it this way: “Water-repellent outer fabric thanks to Bionic-Finish Eco technology. Waterproof and windproof with sealed main seams.”
The £180 comparison
The Next coat in question is the Helly Hansen Natural Moss Insulated PU Coat. Both are minimalist “fisherman’s raincoat” designs, mid-thigh in length, with protective hoods, front flaps that hide the zips and snap shut, and side pockets. The difference is in the material. Lidl’s is a lightweight, uninsulated polyester shell meant mainly to keep rain off on warmer days. The Helly Hansen is made from a much heavier, rubbery polyurethane fabric with built-in insulation, so it will feel thicker and warmer in the cold.
The £90 comparison
The navy Lidl version also resembles John Lewis’s Didriksons Elly Windproof and Waterproof Shell Parka. John Lewis describes the Elly as an everyday jacket in Galon, completely windproof and waterproof, with welded seams for a 100% waterproof construction. It has a straight fit and a fixed hood adjustable with riptape.
For shoppers who like the look of either coat and want to spend less, the Lidl version is an option. The appearance is very similar, though it will feel different to wear.
The retailer behind it
Lidl opened its first UK store in 1994. In May 2026 it overtook Morrisons to become the fifth largest supermarket chain in Great Britain, with an 8.6% market share, behind fellow German discounter Aldi. It belongs to the Schwarz Group, which reported sales of €104.3 billion in 2018 and ranks as the world’s fifth-largest retailer. The first Lidl discount store opened in 1973, modelled on Aldi’s approach.
Sources
- New Lidl £15 raincoat similar to £180 Next version out this Sunday
- Lidl
- Lidl signs go up at long-vacant grocery store on Belair Road
Photo: Morgan Vander Hart / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
