Rohlik Group spin-out Veloq takes wraps off new grocery fulfilment centre and connects with AutoStore

Veloq, an automation company within Czech online grocer, Rohlik Group, has unveiled a new AI driven grocery fulfilment centre in Vienna. The launch also marks the announcement of a global partnership with AutoStore.

The facility is pitched as the first AutoStore grid worldwide to integrate real-time expedition, automatically sorting picked orders by delivery route. According to those involved, this eliminates manual sorting and increases throughput while reducing time, labour and cost. It can also be adapted to different fulfillment formats, from large central hubs to smaller purpose built sites, lowering the threshold for retailers to adopt automation.

Orders from a range of up to 20,000 SKUs, can now be routed for delivery in under 30 minutes. These SKUs represent individual products  including fresh produce, bakery and pharmacy.

Under the agreement, Veloq will deploy AutoStore technology with its proprietary software to help grocers tap the same automation that has powered Rohlik’s growth over the past decade. 

Mats Hovland Vikse, CEO at AutoStore, says: The fulfillment industry is undergoing rapid change. Customers expect broader assortments, faster delivery, and reliable service despite ongoing disruption. At the same time, retailers face labor shortages, volatile supply chains, and rising costs.”

“Together with Veloq, we show how AutoStore technology enables businesses of all sizes to adapt to these pressures with speed, accuracy, and intelligent orchestration – always with the customer at the center. The Vienna site demonstrates how combining grocery expertise with our platform sets a new benchmark for intelligent fulfillment.

Richard McKenzie, CEO at Veloq, says: “We’ve spent years solving the hardest problems in online grocery, from managing short shelf lives and unpredictable demand, to delivering full-basket orders with speed and precision.”

“What makes Veloq different is that we’re not just offering automation, we’re offering orchestration. Our offering is a full-stack platform that combines software, hardware and operational intelligence, purpose-built for grocery.”

“Our partnership with AutoStore marks the next step in scaling our model globally. Together, we’ve proven in Vienna what’s possible when sector depth meets world class technology. And we’re only getting started. The US is a priority market for us. Grocers there face the same pressures we’ve solved in Europe: rising customer expectations, labour shortages, and the need to modernise fulfilment without compromising on quality.”

“With AutoStore’s footprint and our unique grocery DNA, we’re now ready to help retailers In Europe, North America and beyond leap ahead.”

Tomáš Čupr, Founder and CEO at Rohlik Group, says: “We’ve proven what’s possible when you combine deep grocery expertise with world-class technology. Our growth across Europe has been powered by the stack that now sits at the heart of Veloq. This partnership with AutoStore extends  that model to a global stage. The Vienna centre proves how intelligent automation transforms grocery for both retailers and customers.” 

“I’m excited to see Veloq bring the same capabilities that fuelled Rohlik’s success to partners worldwide, including in markets like North America where the need for smarter grocery infrastructure is only growing.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain automation will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.