From November 21, Coles will offer Quiet Hour - a low-sensory shopping experience that’s easy on the eyes and ears – at Old Bar for local customers for the first time.
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Old Bar has been chosen as one of 68 Coles supermarkets across Australia to offer Quiet Hour which provides a low-sensory shopping experience by making changes in store, such as reducing noise and distractions to help make a difference to customers who find it challenging to shop in a heightened sensory environment.
In August, Coles partnered with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) to trial Quiet Hour at two Victorian stores (Ringwood and Balwyn East) to support customers who are, or have family members, on the autism spectrum.
Following the success of the trial, Coles selected 68 stores across Australia, including Old Bar, to offer Quiet Hour every Tuesday between 10.30-11.30am.
Coles Accessibility Sponsor Peter Sheean said Coles wanted a good geographic spread of stores participating and worked closely with Aspect to identify an additional 66 stores where residents would benefit from Quiet Hour.
“We were really pleased to receive a positive response from our customers and team members, who welcomed Quiet Hour and provided feedback on social media. It’s fantastic to hear that the changes we made in store during the trial had helped to make a real difference to our customers’ shopping experience at Coles,” Peter said.
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) community engagement and operations manager, Linzi Coyle, said Aspect was proud to partner with Coles to help create a new low-sensory shopping experience at Old Bar.
“People on the autism spectrum often have difficulty processing sensory information and can find sounds, light, smell, touch and taste overwhelming. For many individuals and families, a simple trip to the shops can be difficult,” Linzi said.
“With autism affecting 1 in 100 Australians, expanding this low-sensory shopping experience to more Coles stores will have a significant improvement on the lives of many children, young people and adults on the spectrum, as well as their family members.
During Quiet Hour, customers will notice the following changes in participating Coles supermarkets:
- Store lighting will be dimmed by 50 per cent
- Coles Radio will be switched off
- Register and scanner volumes will be reduced to the lowest level
- No trolley collections and roll cages will be removed from the shop floor
- No PA announcements *excluding in case of emergencies
- Free fruit will be offered at customer service
- Additional team members will be available to support customers during the trial