From this weekend, Morrisons will be extending its quieter hours to all stores every Sunday in its first hour of shopping to allow customers to shop more peacefully.
Quieter Hours were first introduced in 2018 after listening to families affected by autism who shared their difficulties in shopping in noisy and busy environments, and currently operate every Saturday in stores from 9am – 10am.
Since then, many customers have appreciated the calmer experience that sees no music, checkout beeps or PA announcements made, resulting in the initiative being extended across the weekend.
The move to make changes to each store from this weekend comes amid fears of panic buying and bulk buying with warnings of a second national lockdown mounting.
For stores that open from 10-4pm, quiet hours will operate from 10am-11am.
Quieter hours currently operate every Saturday between 9am – 10am in all Morrisons stores.
David Potts Morrisons Chief Executive, said “The introduction of the quieter hours has been appreciated by many customers who prefer to shop in a calmer environment. Extending them to include Sundays will offer more opportunities to shop more peacefully.”
During these hours, stores will dim the lights among a raft of other key changes. These include turning music and radio off and staff will avoid making tannoy announcements.
Staff will reduce movement of trolleys and baskets and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down, as well as place a poster outside to tell customers it’s Quieter Hour.
A quieter hour will operate in the first hour from opening at every Morrisons store from this Sunday, 11 October.
