By 2028, Denmark will have 50 specially equipped “emergency stores” capable of staying open for at least two days without electricity or external connections in the event of a national crisis. The initiative is led by grocery giant Salling Group, which owns Bilka, Føtex, and Netto. According to the company, the stores will be strategically distributed so that up to 80 percent of Denmark’s population lives within 50 kilometers of one. The emergency network will include all Bilka hypermarkets, the largest Føtex department stores, and a selection of Netto branches.
“It is our core task and a responsibility we take on, and we also believe that it is timely care that we – like other countries – prepare for possible crisis situations,” said Anders Hagh, CEO of Salling Group, in a press release.
Emergency Power and Stockpiles
Many of the group’s outlets are already fitted with backup generators, ensuring at least partial operation during power outages. The new plan expands on this by requiring each emergency store to maintain supplies of essential goods, such as bottled water and canned food, that can be distributed even if logistics networks are disrupted. The project reflects a growing emphasis on crisis preparedness in Denmark, where authorities and private companies alike have been reassessing vulnerabilities to power shortages, cyberattacks, and other potential emergencies. Salling Group expects the full rollout to be completed by the end of 2028.
Read more on Politiken.dk, SallingGroup.com
