Quiet hour for Tesco’s autism shoppers


  • Autism sufferers can often experience ‘sensory overload’ when out shopping 
  • Tesco is to stage a six-week trial of a ‘quiet hour’ at its store in Crawley, Sussex 
  • In-store music, display monitors and announcement systems will be turned off

Mail on Sunday Reporter

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Supermarket giant Tesco is introducing a ‘quiet hour’ trial in an attempt to help autism sufferers do their shopping.

Autism affects the way surroundings are perceived, and sufferers often experience ‘sensory overload’ in crowded and noisy places, such as large stores.

Now Tesco is to stage a six-week trial of a ‘quiet hour’ at its store in Crawley, Sussex.

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Autism affects the way surroundings are perceived, and sufferers often experience ‘sensory overload’ in crowded and noisy places, such as large stores

For one hour every Saturday morning, lights will be dimmed and in-store music, display monitors and announcement systems will be turned off.

In addition, a special till will be opened for customers with autism in order to make their visit as stress-free as possible.

If the quiet hour is a success, Tesco says it could be rolled out nationwide.

The move follows a survey carried out by the National Autistic Society which showed that supermarkets were considered the most isolating environment for sufferers.

Tesco is to stage a six-week trial of a ‘quiet hour’ at its store in Crawley, Sussex. For one hour every Saturday morning, lights will be dimmed and in-store music, display monitors and announcement systems will be turned off

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