Sainsburys lanyard disabled customers

The initiative is designed to be a subtle sign indicating a customer’s hidden disability

Sainsbury’s is rolling out its trial of giving lanyards to shoppers with hidden disabilities to 29 more branches from this month.

Customers who need additional support can collect a complimentary lanyard to indicate as much.

Sainsbury’s employees provide wearers with additional support such as opening a new checkout lane, assisting with finding items or giving them more time at the checkout.

Read more: Channel Islands Co-op to continue Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

The scheme is designed to enhance users’ shopping experience through a subtle sign indicating their hidden disability. These could include dementia, autism or hearing or vision impairments.

Customers can keep the lanyards and use them each time they visit a Sainsbury’s store.

This follows the success of the supermarket trialling the initiative at its Gatwick Airport and Barnstaple, Devon stores, followed by nine more branches in October 2018.

Sainsbury’s is the first UK supermarket to trial an initiative like this, which comes as part of its endeavour to become the most inclusive retailer. It is also striving to encourage other retailers to follow suit, meaning customers could wear their lanyard in all shops in the knowledge that shop floor staff recognise its meaning.