Coles to introduce ‘Quiet Hour’ in supermarkets from today
FROM today, people with Austism and their families will be able to do the grocery shopping without having to worry about the bright lights and noises, with 68 Coles stores around the country introducing ‘Quiet Hour’.
For an hour every Tuesday, Coles Supermarkets will dim their lights by 50 per cent, switch the radio off and reduce register and scanner volume to the lowest level.
Trolley collections will also be halted during Quiet Hour, whilst announcements over the PA system will be limited to only emergencies.
The nationwide roll-out of the low sensory shopping experience comes after Coles partnered with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) in August to trial Quiet Hour at two Victorian stores.
Coles accessibility sponsor Peter Sheean said it was a way to “meet the differing needs” of customers.
“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.
“Through Quiet Hour, we hope to make a difference to our customers who find it challenging to shop in a heightened sensory environment.”
Coles chose to introduce Quiet Hour between 10.30am – 11.30am every Tuesday after research revealed one of the most common times for people with Autism and their family members and carers preferred to shop was Tuesday mornings.
“Although we have modified some of the physical and sensory stimulators in store, we also hope to achieve a ‘no-judgement’ shopping space for people and families on the spectrum, where customers will feel comfortable and welcome,” Mr Sheean said.
WATCH:
.@Coles is introducing a great new initiative for people with Autism today. It’s called ‘Quiet Hour’. #9Today pic.twitter.com/K0FGOhJm9A
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) November 20, 2017
Here are all of the Coles supermarkets that will be participating in Quiet Hour:
QLD Cairns Central
QLD Maryborough
QLD Caloundra
QLD Kippa Ring
QLD Cleveland
QLD Everton Park
QLD Newfarm
QLD Rockhampton South
QLD Townsville Annandale
QLD Mt Gravatt
QLD Marsden
QLD Toowoomba
QLD Helensvale
QLD Mudgeeraba
NSW Warners Bay
NSW Old Bar
NSW Wadalba
NSW Lisarow
NSW Inverell
NSW Banora Point
NSW Medowie
NSW Wellington
NSW Bega
NSW Ulladulla
NSW Wattle Grove
NSW Moss Vale
NSW Kings Langley
NSW Goulburn
NSW Manly Vale
NSW Castle Hill
NSW Epping
NSW Caringbah
NSW Brighton-Le-Sands
NSW Pyrmont
SA Tea Tree Plaza
SA Parkholme
SA Anzac Highway
SA Mount Barker
SA Port Pirie
NT Casuarina – Bradshaw St
TAS Newtown
VIC Wendouree
VIC Belmont
VIC Brunswick West
VIC Burnside
VIC Altona Meadows
VIC Essendon Fields
VIC Pakenham Lakeside
VIC Ferntree Gully
VIC Ringwood
VIC Brandon Park
VIC Langwarrin
VIC Cranbourne West
VIC Benalla
VIC Prahran
VIC Brighton
VIC Eltham
VIC Balwyn East
VIC Fitzroy
WA Margaret River
WA Erskine
WA Southern River
WA South Lakes
WA Mundaring
WA Floreat
WA Hillarys
WA Kalgoorlie
