// Sainsbury’s trial scheme for customers with “invisible” disabilities to be extended
// Scheme provides shoppers with lanyard that informs staff they may need some help
// More stores will take part in the trial now after initial roll-out
Sainsbury’s has announced it would extend a trial scheme that aims to help customers with hidden disabilities when shopping in-store.
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The scheme provides shoppers the option to collect a lanyard in-store, which helps shop floor staff recognise if they need additional support with their shopping.
This includes having a new checkout lane opened for them, receiving help with finding shopping items, or to simply be given more time at the checkout.
The trial was first introduced at Sainsbury’s shop in Barnstaple before being rolled out to a handful of other stores. The retailer plans to roll it out to even more stores this month.
The Big 4 grocer said the target demographic of the scheme are customers who live with “invisible” disabilities such as autism, dementia and visual or hearing impairment.
Lanyards are available to collect for free and can kept by the customer to wear each time they visit a store.
Sainsbury’s said the trial has been particularly successful with over 10,000 lanyards collected to date.
“We want to be the most inclusive retailer and we understand that a busy supermarket environment can present challenges for some of our customers,” Sainsbury’s corporate services director Tim Fallowfield said.
“As the first retailer to offer this service, this initiative is just one example of the steps we are taking to give our customers the best possible experience when shopping.”
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