Shopping can be a bustling and sometimes overwhelming experience, with the clatter of trolleys, the beeping of registers, and the constant hum of chatter and music. For some, particularly those with sensory sensitivities or certain disabilities, the cacophony can transform a simple grocery run into a challenging ordeal. Recognising this, Woolworths has taken a commendable step towards inclusivity and customer care by expanding its ‘quiet hour’ initiative, now offering a serene shopping experience five days a week.
Originally introduced in 2019, the quiet hour was developed in collaboration with the disability service provider Life Without Barriers. This initiative was designed to create a low-stress, sensory-friendly shopping environment for customers with specific needs.
The quiet hour initially rolled out across more than 900 stores and, due to its success and positive customer feedback, Woolworths has decided to extend this peaceful shopping experience. From Monday to Friday, between 10:30am and 11:30am, most Woolworths stores will now become havens of tranquillity. During this time, the stores will lower their lights, turn down the music or radio, silence the beeps at the registers, and turn off oven buzzers. These simple adjustments can make a world of difference for those who find the usual shopping environment overwhelming.
Jeanette Fenske, Woolworths’ director of stores, expressed pride in the initiative, stating, ‘Our teams take great pride in ensuring the stores are quieter and less stressful for customers during this time.’ She further emphasised that quiet hour is now an integral part of Woolworths’ commitment to assist independence in their stores, complementing other services such as Direct to Boot and delivery options.
The expansion of quiet hour to five days a week was trialled over busy shopping periods, including Christmas, and Woolworths is proud to now meet customer needs with this extended offering. Claire Robbs, chief executive of Life Without Barriers, applauded the expansion, recognising it as a fantastic initiative that actively responds to the diverse needs of the community. She praised Woolworths for its leadership in providing more options for in-store shopping and increasing independence for individuals in a non-stressful environment.
The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media has been abuzz with praise, with one shopper describing the initiative as ‘heaven’, while another hailed it as ‘one of the most brilliantly innovative and compassionate ideas’ they’ve ever seen. The sentiment is clear: the quiet hour is not just a convenience; it’s a lifeline for those who struggle with the sensory overload of typical shopping experiences.
Have you or someone you know experienced shopping during Woolworths’ quiet hour? How did it impact your shopping experience? Do you think more stores should follow suit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Screen time at the supermarket? Woolworths’ new digital makeover
Coles have had ‘quiet hour’ between 10:30 – 11:30 am on Tuesdays for many years now. Why all this hullabaloo with Woolies?
Try reading the article next time and you will have your answer. However because you just want to jump straight to the comments I’ll summarise it for you. Woolworths has had quiet hour in its stores since 2019, before Coles. It was every Tuesday between 10:30am and 11:30am (coles actually just copied). Woolworths has now extended that to Monday to Friday, offering more options to those who need it. Try and read an article instead of just the headline next time.
Yes big deal hardly Nobel prize stuff. If it’s so popular extend it a lot further, nothing worse then the loud music with some shrill squawking female screeching to the point where you can hardly think; plenty of other choices, all stores are guilty and then of course not all of us shop in that time frame which means no welcome change for the rest of us.
I’m sure your workplace is just a symbol of perfection isn’t it?