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4 Dec

Navigating holiday shopping with a brain injury

Lady shopping during the Christmas holidays

As the holiday season approaches, crowded and busy shopping centres can be overwhelming for individuals with a brain injury. These environments are filled with bright lights, loud noises and chaotic activity. This can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even physical discomfort for those simply trying to go shopping at the store. Thankfully some Australian retailers are recognising this and providing a low sensory shopping environment.  

Low-sensory shopping 

Low sensory shopping can create a calmer and more inclusive environment by reducing sensory stimuli. Features of these sessions often include dimmed lighting, minimal or no background music, reduced register and scanner sounds, limited or no public announcements, removing trolley collections and additional team members available to support customers.  

Why is this important for people with brain injury? 

Every brain injury is different. For some individuals a brain injury can heighten sensitivity to sensory input making everyday tasks like shopping particularly challenging. Bright lights, loud sounds can all be overwhelming and exacerbate symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and cognitive overload. Low-sensory or quiet hours can not only reduce triggers but also create a safer and more comfortable environment. These initiatives also foster greater inclusivity and awareness. By acknowledging and accommodating the needs of people with sensory sensitivities, retailers are taking meaningful steps towards creating a society that values and supports all individuals regardless of their challenges.  

Quiet Hours 

There are quite a few retailers across Australia that are now offering a low sensory shopping experience during the holidays season to accommodate customers who prefer quieter environments.  

  • Coles Supermarkets: Coles has created small changes in their stores to improve their accessibility. During their ‘Quiet Hours’ they have reduced sound and lighting throughout the store as well as additional team members available to support customers. A list of stores and their quiet hour options are available at this link.  
  • Drakes Supermarkets: Select Drakes in South Australia provides quiet time on Tuesday’s from 6pm – 8pm. During this time lights will be dimmed, there will be less sounds and more signage. They have also provided a sensory and visual map for participating stores.  
  • Westfield Shopping Centres: Select Westfield centres across Australia in December state that they dim the lighting and adjust their music to limit sensory over stimulation. Quiet time hours are every Tuesday 10.30am -11.30am but please check the website for your local Westfield to confirm.  
  • Zara: Across Australia Zara stores has implemented a quiet hour every Tuesday from 10.30 to 11.30am. Zara offers a quiet atmosphere with no background music and PA announcements limited for emergencies, and instore LED screens dimmed.    
  • Lush: During quiet hours in Lush stores there will be a calm and quiet environment. Screens will be switched off, no large group product demonstrations will occur and there will be no music or announcements. Please contact your local store for times.  
  • Cotton On Kids: On Thursdays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm Cotton on Kids turns their music and TV off, pauses stock work and maintains a higher level of tidiness.  
  • Lego: Every Tuesday between 10.30am – 11.30am Lego stores offer quiet hour. During this time, they have reduced noise and distractions.  
  • Kmart: A select number of Kmart stores provide ‘Quiet Space’ shopping. During this period store lighting will be dimmed, Kmart radio will be turned down, register noise will be limited, trolley collection will be limited and there will be additional team members available for customer support. Please contact your local Kmart to see if this is provided at your local store.    
  • Casey’s Toys: Every Tuesday between 10.30-11.30am Casey’s Toys turns off TV’s, has no music playing, clear aisles and limited display lighting.  
  • If your preferred retailer isn’t listed here, consider giving them a call to inquire about their participation in quiet hour. If you’re ever uncertain, reach out to your local store for clarification. You might even suggest a quiet time, as the more requests made for these initiatives, the more retailers across Australia will adopt them. 

 

By embracing these initiatives, we not only support those with brain injury but we also promote a more compassionate and understanding community. This holiday season let’s celebrate the small changes that can make a big difference.  

 

Sources:  

  • Drakes Quiet Hour. Accessed 22nd Nov 2024: https://drakes.com.au/quiet-time/