German discount retailer Lidl is pulling out of the Norwegian market it entered just four years ago. Odd Reitan's REMA 1000 chain will take over Lidl's 50 stores in Norway. Local retailers who feared Lidl would give them tough competition did all they could to thwart the German giant's entry into Norway.

Lidl, often accused of being too secretive by Norwegian standards of openness, never managed to achieve the success it expected in Norway. Local politicians also made things difficult for Lidl, by refusing to grant zoning requests or allowing the chain's free-standing stores to be built.

The takeover amount remains undisclosed. Reitan claimed the deal "was so new that I don't remember what the price is, but I think we agreed that the price should be confidential." However, Werner Evertsen of Lidl Norge said in a statement that Lidl had "full confidence that REMA 1000 will carry out our obligations towards Lidl's employees.