Salling opens an unattended store in Aarhus
The concept of unmanned, 24-hour stores has been discussed and evaluated in many markets in Norway and abroad. So far it hasn't taken off completely, far from it. Danish Salling Group is defying weak forecasts and is now opening its first self-service grocery store in Denmark.
Danish Coop is going the opposite way and scrapping original plans for 100 unattended, 24-hour stores.
Tests so far show that it is difficult to get the profitable ones, partly because the wastage is high.
They are not completely unattended either. The shops must be cleaned, washed and replenished just like any other shop with people in the till.
føtex GO
'føtex GO' is now opening in Aarhus Denmark's first operator-free grocery store, where customers can do their shopping quickly and easily, exactly when it suits them, says a press release from Salling Group.
The store will be unmanned and open around the clock, and the goal is to make the shopping trip even faster and easier for the customer.
“Our new store should be seen as a shining example of what we want in the Salling Group. To use the latest technology and opportunities to fulfil our customers' wishes and needs, which they cannot find anywhere else in the country. We constantly want to push development, so that our customers can make their purchases easier and faster. We believe that the technology and the extended opening hours will appeal to a great many customers, who are missing basic items in the fridge – also outside normal opening hours. Føtex Go is an important first step in our new ambitious plan for major investments in innovation and technology,” says Anders Hagh.
First of its kind in Denmark
The unmanned store, which is the first of its kind in Denmark, should be seen as a supplement to føtex's other warehouses. In the first weeks, there will be a natural break-in period, which is why there will be staff present in the store, ready to help, if customers have questions or experience unforeseen problems.
Salling Group has set a course for the future with high ambitions. Last week, Anders Hagh presented the grocery group's new strategy, which will move the Salling Group to the next level.
The opening of føtex Go in Aarhus should be seen as a result of the ambitions Salling Group wants to unfold in the coming years. Innovation and technology will be decisive players in the efforts to reach the goal of a turnover of DKK 100 billion. kroner.
In collaboration with the tech company AIFI, the new føtex Go is ready with camera technology, which for the first time becomes exposed on the Danish grocery market.
The inspiration for the new store is taken from, among other places, Great Britain, Poland and Germany. The technology is now so good that the concept is mature enough to be introduced to customers in Aarhus, according to Salling Group.
NHH will of course follow the store in Aarhus and interview Salling about the experiences in the coming weeks.