Kymen Seudun Osuuskauppa Pilots Exoskeletons in Retail to Reduce Physical Strain

Kymen Seudun Osuuskauppa, a regional retail cooperative in Southeast Finland, has taken a step toward improving employee well-being by launching a pilot project integrating exoskeletons into daily retail operations. The goal: to support employee endurance, reduce musculoskeletal strain, and ultimately prevent absences due to workload-related injuries.

The initiative was launched in collaboration with occupational health services and workplace safety experts, based on a shared understanding that physically demanding tasks in retail – such as repetitive lifting, long periods of standing, and overhead reaching – are a long-standing challenge that calls for innovative solutions.

Why Exoskeletons – and Why Now?

The idea to implement exoskeletons originated from an occupational physiotherapist, who suggested exoskeletons to reduce physical workload. After an initial review involving representatives from health and safety, store management, and occupational medicine, the team agreed to initiate a pilot in two large retail stores.

"At first I was curious, but I also questioned whether our sales staff’s work was really demanding enough to justify this kind of support,” recalls Tytti Puolakka, Occupational Wellbeing Specialist and Safety Manager at Kymen Seudun Osuuskauppa.

“But after speaking with our team – from the safety delegate to our commercial director – we decided it was worth trying. Anything that helps support the health of our employees is worth exploring.”

The Challenge: Persistent Musculoskeletal Absences

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were a key issue that drove the pilot forward. According to internal data, they accounted for around 30% of all sick leave, with an average of 6.5 days per person per year lost due to strain-related complaints – especially in the lower back.

“The nature of the job includes frequent lifting, being on your feet and repetitive tasks. We can’t change that. But we can offer better tools to reduce the strain,” says Puolakka.

Implementing the Pilot Test

The rollout was designed to be simple and collaborative. Multiple demonstration sessions were held directly at the stores, where staff could see and try the exoskeletons in real working conditions. Representatives from occupational health and a support partner were on-site to answer questions and assist with fittings.

Employees were encouraged to give feedback at any stage of the process. Puolakka also shared internal updates and maintained open lines of communication. “We told our teams: if something’s not working, we’ll adjust it quickly and together.”

Employee Reactions: Encouraging and Open-Minded

Two staff members, Sari Seppä and Jere Andelin, were among the first to adopt the system in their daily work.

Sari noted: “It takes a little getting used to, like any new tool. But I do believe it makes the work easier. And it’s great that the employer is offering something like this to help us.”

According to Jere: “Lifting from low shelves has become much easier. The whole job feels lighter, and people – both coworkers and customers – are really curious about it.”

Both reported that putting on the exoskeleton became quicker with practice, and that it didn’t interfere with their normal workflow – especially during shelf-stocking tasks.

The Role of Occupational Health and Leadership

The success of the pilot was rooted in strong collaboration between leadership, occupational health professionals, and store teams.

“Our leadership was very supportive from the start. They know the work is physically demanding, and they welcomed any tools that could reduce that burden,” says Puolakka.

Together with workplace physiotherapists, clear usage guidelines were developed and communicated. Importantly, all parties agreed that the process should remain flexible: if improvements or adjustments were needed, they would be made quickly – based on the participants feedback.

Expert View: Why Ergonomics Must Be Proactive

Elmo Uusitalo, Lead Occupational Physiotherapist for Eastern Southeast Finland at Terveystalo, served as an advisor on the project and emphasized the broader value of proactive ergonomics in physically demanding work.

“Work shouldn’t push the body to its limits,” he explains. “The ideal situation is that physical capacity is developed through exercise in one’s free time – and that the workload at work stays within reasonable bounds.”

He also highlights that exoskeletons are a valuable support for both employees already experiencing symptoms and those looking to prevent them. But for adoption to succeed, the solution must be practical, safe, and easy to use. In this case, the exoskeletons fit well into the retail environment.

Initial Outcomes and Next Steps

The feedback from the pilot has been positive. Employees report feeling less fatigued and more capable throughout the workday. Leadership sees the approach as a worthwhile investment in long-term workplace health.

Kymen Seudun Osuuskauppa plans to continue expanding the use of exoskeletons and integrate them as part of a broader workplace ergonomics strategy.

“At the end of the workday, I feel like I’m 20 years younger,” shared one employee.

Conclusion: Ergonomics as a Shared Responsibility

This pilot demonstrates that sustainable workplace health is built on collaboration. Employers play a key role in implementing and supporting practical solutions, while occupational health experts help identify risks and guide interventions. The most successful outcomes come when leadership, health professionals, and employees work together.

Would you like to explore how our exoskeletons could support your workforce?

Get in touch with us – we’re happy to advise.

This case study was originally published by our partner meditas (in Finnish). Link to the original: https://meditas.fi/ergonomia-on-tyonantajalle-tarkeaa-eksoskeleton-kokemuksia