A more soothing shopping experience
A GEELONG Coles store will offer weekly autism-friendly shopping experiences as part of a new national initiative.
The Quiet Hour program was rolled out at nearly 70 stores across the country, including Belmont, yesterday following a successful trial earlier this year.
It will be offered every Tuesday, between 10.30am and 11.30am, and see a deliberate reduction in noise and distractions to make shopping easier for customers who find heightened sensory environments challenging.
Store lighting is dimmed by 50 per cent, Coles Radio switched off, register and scanner volumes reduced to the lowest level, trolley collection stopped and roll cages removed from the shop floor.
PA announcements are also stopped, except in the case of emergencies, free fruit is offered at customer service, and additional team members will be available to support customers.
Coles accessibility sponsor Peter Sheean said the supermarket worked closely with Autism Spectrum Australia to identify locations.
“At Coles, we are always looking at ways we can meet the differing needs of our customers by creating a shopping environment in which our customers and team members feel comfortable,” Mr Sheean said.
Community engagement and operations manager at Autism Spectrum Australia, Linzi Coyle, said the program wasn’t just about creating low physical and sensory stimulators. “Together with Coles, we’re achieving a ‘nojudgment’ shopping space where people on the spectrum and their families can feel comfortable and welcome while grocery shopping,” she said.