WOOLWORTHS Beerwah and Maleny now offers a low-sensory ‘Quiet Hour’ shopping experience, every Tuesday between 10.30am and 11.30am, designed to reduce anxiety and sensory stress for customers with specific needs.
During this time the stores make a range of temporary changes including turning off bakery ovens or chicken cooker buzzers and reducing volume on store phones and registers and in-store music, and stopping all PA announcements (excluding cases of emergencies)
Store entry ways will be cleared, roll cages will be removed from the shop floor and lighting will be reduced.
Following a successful trial in select stores, Quiet Hour is being rolled out nationally with more than 750 stores nationwide already offering the initiative.
Woolworths Group Manager, Tabitha Millar said customers had told the company there was a need in the community for a low-sensory shopping experience in the area.
“So, we’re pleased to expand quiet hour to Woolworths Beerwah and Maleny,” Ms Millar said.
The low sensory initiative was developed in consultation with disability service providers at Life Without Barriers (LWB).
LWB Chief Executive Claire Robbs said it gives people a way to do their shopping and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them.
