Why Stop at a "Quiet" Hour?

​I often find myself getting a little anxious in a grocery store, especially if it’s crowded, and doubly so if there are samples, Girl Scout cookies, newspaper subscriptions, or credit cards being hawked by vendors. The combined noise of shoppers, store personnel, music, public address, and rattling metal carts can put me on edge and makes me want to get out of the store as fast as I can. (I like to shop very late at night if I can because I know that it will likely be quieter and less crowded.)

For a retailer, having a customer who is desperate to get out of a noisy store is not what you’re looking for. That customer may not promote your store to their friends and family – “it’s so crowded,” “it’s just noisy,” “shopping there stresses me out.” Worse, if they are in a hurry to get out, they are not going to browse or notice sales, specials, or promotions, and that may lower their overall basket at point-of-sale.

The Canadian chain Sobeys (and others, including Australian chain Woolworths and British supermarket Morrisons) is adopting twice-monthly quiet hours for shoppers who need or want a lower-sensory shopping experience. The chain specifically references those with autism spectrum conditions, but is for any shopper that would prefer a less hectic experience.

I don’t have an autism spectrum condition, but even just my mild public-space anxiety would benefit from this kind of shopping experience. Of course, the limitation of Sobeys’ initiative is that it’s only twice a month for an hour, which may not be convenient for all. Sobeys and the other chains should be applauded for their initiative to be inclusive, but there are things any store can do all day, every day to make its customers feel welcome and stress-free.

The Bemis Retail Solutions all-polymer cart reduces noise by more than 12 decibels compared to a metal cart. Adding our carts to your store would not only reduce cart noise, but allow for the public-address system, in-store music, and store telephones to be reduced in volume as well. A more relaxed shopping environment leads to more relaxed customers – customers who may spend more and will tell people how much they like shopping in your store.

Click here to learn more about the noise-reduction benefits of Bemis Retail Solutions shopping carts.