Pirkanmaan Osuuskaupa—a regional cooperative within the Finnish S Group—opened the first micro-fulfillment center (MFC) for online grocery shopping in the Pirkanmaa region (Birkaland) in August. The new center, which is entirely based on automation principles, was developed in collaboration with Swisslog and built from the ground up next to the Prisma supermarket.
– The center uses Prisma’s infrastructure. Products from the basic assortment are retrieved from the warehouse using robots, and the order is supplemented as needed with products from the adjacent Prisma supermarket, such as fresh produce, baked goods, frozen products, and groceries. Robots pick items more efficiently and quickly by swiftly transferring the products to staff. However, staff continue to ensure product quality and pack the order for pickup, says Ville Jylhä, COO of Pirkanmaan Osuuskaupa.
The center is a response to the increase in online grocery shopping among regional customers. In 2023, online grocery sales rose by 27 percent in the region, and in the first half of 2024, sales have increased by nearly 30 percent. For customers, the center means more delivery time slots and faster deliveries.
– The new center will help us double our sales capacity for online purchases compared to last year. In recent years, we at the S Group have systematically invested in the development of online grocery shopping to meet our customers’ needs. I believe there will be a need for at least two new micro-fulfillment centers in the region in the near future. Buying groceries online is undoubtedly an easy way to make everyday life easier,” says Ville Jylhä.
The new center covers 1,400 m² and consists of 40 AutoStore robots, employing approximately 50 people in various roles. Following its launch in August, online grocery deliveries will be faster, more accurate, and much more efficient.
”We are very pleased that Pirkanmaan Osuuskaupa chose us as a partner for its first micro-fulfillment center. Our work has gone according to plan, and we look forward to continuing to operate this innovative and efficient facility,” says Tero Mäki, Sales Manager for Swisslog in Finland.
The S Group is a Finnish customer-owned retail and service group with over 1,800 locations in Finland. The group consists of 19 independent regional cooperatives, one of which is Pirkanmaan Osuuskaupa.
