Co-Op to Trial 'Relaxed' Checkout Lanes for People Who Need Extra Time

Two Co-Op shops in Central England are trialling ‘relaxed’ checkout lanes for people who need a little extra time in the checkout lane

The trial project will start on Tuesday and will be held from 10am to noon every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for three weeks in the Ripley shop in Derbyshire, and at the Oakham shop in Leicestershire.

Shop employees on the tills have been trained to recognise customers’ special needs and work at a speed that suits them. The company hopes that the extra time on the tills will be useful for elderly shoppers, those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism and even mental health-related needs like social anxiety.

Central England is testing 'relaxed checkouts' for customers who need extra time at the till #coops @Autism @DementiaUK https://t.co/kJsy4YEDgj pic.twitter.com/Zx8VgiUqsZ

— Co-operative News (@coopnews) August 22, 2018

Ripley shop manager Gavin Glidewell said, “We are really proud to be trialling the extra-time checkout project for our customers and members. The special lane means that there will be no rush or pressure to get items on the conveyor belt and packed away at the other end.

“Our new relaxed checkout is open to all. Whether a customer has a medical condition which requires them to take things a little easier, or they value an extra couple of minutes to chat to our checkout colleague, we want them to be confident they can shop at their own pace when visiting a Central England Co-op food store.

“Everyone here hopes this provides a happier shopping experience for people who need a little bit of extra time at the checkout.”

The initiative is part of the shop's ongoing commitment to breaking the stigma of mental health and supporting its corporate charity partner, Dementia UK.