24/7 unmanned stores are gaining ground with digital price tags

More and more unmanned grocery stores are appearing thanks to Unlimit Group, the company behind “Near” – a new chain of stores in Denmark. These stores use digital price tags from Delfi Technologieswhich ensures an efficient operation and modern customer experience, without the need for staff.

Friday, May 3, 2024 was a day of celebration in Vester Hæsinge on Funen. An unmanned grocery store called “Near” opened here. The store, developed by Unlimit Group in collaboration with a local initiative group, combines groceries, kiosk goods, tobacco and parcel delivery in one solution.

The new store in Vester Hæsinge is a groundbreaking step for the small village and a great inspiration for other communities where grocery stores either have to close or are threatened with closure.

efficiency with technology

In close collaboration with Unlimit Group, has Delfi Technologies played a significant role in this project by providing digital price signs for an efficient and modern customer experience. The signage solution is cloud-based and Unlimit Group can update prices and information in real time.

– The digital price signs are a prerequisite and help us make it easy to run the unmanned stores. With digital signs, we can manage prices and promotions centrally – without the need for staff to change signs,” says Mads Laursen, CEO of Unlimit Group, the company behind “Near” and other unmanned store concepts.

An automated store

The unmanned grocery store in Vester Hæsinge consists of 56 square meters of retail space and 12 square meters of warehouse/reception. The shopping experience is fully automated and involves the customer checking in with an app or credit card, selecting their items and leaving the store. When customers leave the store, they receive a mobile receipt and payment is automatically deducted from the registered payment method.

Electronic date checking and digital price tags make it possible to lower prices on items that are nearing their expiration date. This makes it possible to adjust the price of the relevant items quickly, ensuring they can be sold before new supplies arrive.

– For us, digital price tags are crucial because we’re not in the store at all when our concept first rolls out. We have people to come and restock, but we’re not there to change shelf labels – that process is done digitally from the office – in one or more stores, explains Lars Petersen, Chain Director of Near.

about mobile unmanned grocery stores

• The stores are 68 square meter, movable pavilions.
• The local civic associations provide space and pay a 100,000 deposit.
• The unmanned store needs a turnover of DKK 2.5 million per year to make ends meet.
• The company behind the store – Unlimit Group – takes care of the interior design and restocks the store daily.
• The store is unmanned, but is monitored in the same way as unmanned libraries.
• You get access with ID, so the alcohol section, for example, shuts down if a minor comes in.