A program designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for Woolworths Medowie customers with specific needs is here to stay following a successful trial run.
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The supermarket has made its Quiet Hour initiative permanent and will provide a quieter and less stimulating environment in its store on a regular basis by lowering the lights, dimming music and radio and turning off oven buzzers.
The Quiet Hour will operate every Tuesday between 10.30am and 11.30am.
The Medowie store joins more than 260 stores nationally, including 87 in NSW and the ACT.
Woolworths Group Manager Leisa Tynan 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 Medowie 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.
"It gives people a way to do their shopping and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them."
During Quiet Hour, 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).
