Woolworths joins Coles to offer quiet hour for customers
There are now 11 supermarkets in Brisbane’s north which offer a low-sensory Quiet Hour to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, including autism.
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SIX Woolworths stores in Brisbane’s north will now offer a low-sensory Quiet Hour to customers.
The program is designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs, including autism, by providing a quieter and less stimulating environment in store.
Every Tuesday between 10.30am and 11.30am, Woolworths stores at Aspley, Brookside, Carseldine, Newstead, Strathpine and Stafford will lower lights, turn down music and radio, and turn off oven buzzers.
Customers will also notice the following changes:
■ Reducing volume on store phones and registers on the trading floor;
■ Roll cages will be removed from the shop floor; and
■ No PA announcements (excluding in case of emergencies).
They will join five Coles store in north Brisbane which also offer a Quiet Hour at the same time.
The Woolworths move follows a successful trial period and the new stores will join more than 260 nationally, including 57 in Queensland, to offer the Quiet Hour.
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Woolworths Operations Manager Samantha Williams said, “We’ve heard from our customers there is a need in the community for a low-sensory shopping experience in the area.
“Off the back of successful trials, we’re delighted to expand Quiet Hour to Woolworths stores in north Brisbane for the benefit of even more customers.
“Our team takes great pride in ensuring the store is quieter and less stressful for customers who want to shop during Quiet Hour and we look forward to welcoming them in store.”
The low-sensory initiative was developed in consultation with disability service providers at Life Without Barriers.
Life Without Barriers Chief Executive Claire Robbs said, “Quiet Hour is a fantastic accessibility initiative by Woolworths that recognises that people have different accessibility needs.
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“It gives people a way to do their shopping and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them.”
Autism Spectrum Australia estimates more than 300,000 (or 1 in 70) Australians are on the autism spectrum.
The Woolworths stores offering a Quiet Hour are:
■ Aspley, 59 Albany Creek Rd
■ Brookside, 159 Osborne Rd
■ Carseldine, 735 Beams Rd
■ Newstead, 76 Skyring Tce, Urban Renewal Precinct
■ Strathpine, Westfield Shopping Centre, 295 Gympie Rd
■ Stafford, 400 Stafford Rd.
Coles stores in north Brisbane offering a Quiet Hour are:
■ Ascot: Racecourse Rd & Dobson St
■ Bray Park: Kensington Ave & Sovereign Way
■ Everton Park: 751 Stafford Rd
■ Ferny Grove: 45-47 Mcginn Rd
■ New Farm: 85 Merthyr Rd
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