Supermarket Giant Asda Takes Steps Towards Accessible Shopping Experience

  • Asda trials ‘inclusive hour’ in stores
  • Support for Purple Tuesday on November 13th
  • Reducing noise and distractions during trial period
  • Includes cutting music and TVs, no tannoy announcements
  • Trialling in Kent and Manchester stores
  • Extending support for customers with autism and dementia

Supermarket giant Asda is taking steps towards an inclusive shopping experience by trialling a new ‘inclusive hour’ in stores in Kent and Manchester as part of its support for Purple Tuesday, the UK’s first accessible shopping day on November 13th. Selected stores will reduce noise and distractions, such as music and display TVs, and refrain from using the tannoy for announcements during this hour to cater to customers with autism and dementia. Asda’s vice president of central retail operations, Jodie Tate, said: ‘Purple Tuesday is about recognizing the needs of our customers with disabilities and promoting inclusive shopping. We are proud of the efforts made to support inclusive shopping every day, and we are extending that support further by trialling an ‘Inclusive Hour’ for customers with hidden conditions like autism and dementia.’ Asda already provides adapted wheelchair trollies, hearing loops, and accessible toilets to make working and shopping as easy and accessible as possible.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Asda’s trial of an ‘inclusive hour’ in some stores for customers with autism and dementia during Purple Tuesday. It mentions the steps taken to reduce noise and distractions, and quotes from a representative of the company expressing support for inclusive shopping.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Asda’s efforts to support customers with disabilities and promote inclusive shopping. It highlights a new initiative called ‘Inclusive Hour’ that aims to make the shopping experience better for those with autism and dementia by reducing noise and distractions in stores. The article stays on topic and provides evidence of Asda’s commitment to accessibility.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Asda (a supermarket chain) is a company that could be impacted by consumer behavior and preferences, such as accessibility features in their stores.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Asda’s efforts to support customers with disabilities through an ‘Inclusive Hour’ and other accommodations, which may influence customer satisfaction and loyalty. This can potentially affect the company’s financial performance and reputation.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk