Salling Group Trialed Restocking Robots in Denmark
The retailer began testing Hive Robots in its supermarkets in June 2026 to automate shelf replenishment tasks.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Robotics
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In June 2026, Denmark's Salling Group launched a trial using Hive Robots to restock store shelves. The retailer, which operates over 2,000 locations across six European countries, initiated this project to eventually transition staff toward customer service roles.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to address the significant portion of time employees currently dedicate to manual restocking tasks. By automating these processes, the company seeks to reallocate labor hours to improve direct customer service.
The robots were developed by Hive Robots and built by Unitree to navigate store environments. They currently require human guidance for every movement as they train to identify and manage products during night hours.
The players
Salling Group
This major Danish retailer operates more than 2,000 supermarket stores across six different European countries.
Hive Robots
This technology developer created the artificial intelligence systems and software being used for the automated shelf replenishment trial.
Unitree
This robotics firm is responsible for the physical manufacturing and construction of the automated machines utilized by the retailer.
The details
The current trial requires human operators to guide every movement, helping the artificial intelligence learn to handle products effectively. The machines are being tested specifically during night hours to integrate them into existing store workflows.
Timeline
The initial training for the robots in stores began in June 2026.
The target date for robots to restock shelves independently is early 2027.
The Tech Race
The deployment of autonomous stocking units represents the latest phase in the retail automation industry's push for autonomous inventory management. This technology seeks to replace legacy manual labor models with AI-driven systems that can eventually monitor stock levels and expiry dates.
Customers may eventually see fewer instances of empty shelves as the technology matures to identify stock gaps and misplaced goods. Over the long term, this automation could also lead to more store employees being available on the sales floor to assist shoppers.
The takeaway
Retailers are increasingly turning to robotic automation to handle repetitive nighttime logistics. This shift suggests that the future of store floor management will rely heavily on machines handling inventory while human staff focus on client-facing tasks.
What happens next
The Salling Group plans to transition to independent robot restocking operations by early 2027.
Further reading
For more on the current state of autonomous machines in industry, visit the Robotics section.
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