A Danish supermarket chain has set up 'emergency stores' equipped with generators that can operate even during power outages to prevent stockpiling during disasters.

To prevent stockpiling, which is common during disasters, a store specializing in crisis situations and ensuring a stable supply of food is set to open in Denmark. The background to this is said to be the increasing risk of security issues, extreme weather, and cyber attacks.

Se kortet: Her kan du 'krise-handle' | Penge | DR

According to Salling, which operates a number of supermarkets in Denmark, during the COVID-19 lockdown, there were many instances of people panic buying and hoarding due to fears being stirred up among the public. However, it also became clear that this consumer behavior would quickly return to normal if people were properly informed that supplies would be stable.

To ensure a stable supply, 'emergency stores' are being built specifically for crisis situations. These stores are equipped with emergency generators to withstand power outages, and are designed to stock large amounts of daily necessities, ensuring a minimum stable supply even in the event of a disaster.

In a city facing a crisis, the shelves will be cleared first, and then longer-lasting products like canned and dried goods will be stocked. Rather than selling luxury items, the plan is presented as a complement to household stockpiles of food, water, and other essentials.

They are also working to ensure that digital payments can be made even in the event of a power outage.

The plan is to open 50 emergency stores by 2028. Salling's goal is to have a store within 50km of the residence of nearly four-fifths of the Danish population.

'We've started this work on a small scale, and some stores will be ready well before 2028,' said Jacob Krogsgaard Nielsen, a Salling spokesman. 'We don't know what challenges we'll face, but we'll do everything we can to ensure our stores, infrastructure and everything that supports them are as prepared as possible.'