Friday interview | The woman changing our shopping environments to make them accessible for all

What is Slow Shopping?

Slow Shopping provides dedicated times in the week when stores, art galleries, banks, cafes etc can offer more time and support to help people do their shopping. Customers are not identified as having additional needs – anybody can be shopping at that time, but measures are taken by the store to ensure that the environment is calmer and staff are trained to be aware that customers may need their support. Many carers, friends and family can also find shopping daunting and so can relax knowing that additional support is available to them during these dedicated times. 

What led you to set up Slow Shopping?

I was inspired by my mum. She loved to go shopping and was great at finding bargains in the sales. When she became ill with dementia, I liked to take her out to recreate old experiences such as shopping for a winter coat or stopping for a tea break in a cafe. I was trying to hold on to something of our old relationship, doing ordinary things with her but dementia slowly started to take that away from us as our shopping trips became increasingly stressful for both of us. The experience of shopping changed as mum became increasingly separated from the ‘real’ world. One day we arrived at the checkout and mum went to use her debit card in the card reader and she couldn’t recall the number. I looked to the assistant for reassurance while talking to mum about letting me use my card. Mum insisted that the assistant could see the number and knew what to do. The checkout assistant looked uninterested and I felt very alone. I wondered if there was a way to help us in our experience of shopping. I was embarrassed and felt isolated. In those moments I knew there must be a better way to do this.

The environment is very important too and we work with stores to make adaptations where possible.

Entrance: We ensure that signage is clear and helpful and that obstructions or clutter is moved. Sometimes black mats or pools of light can be confusing for people living with dementia as the area of the brain that interprets 2D and 3D vision may be impaired, interpreting them instead as holes in the ground or pools of water. Where possible we suggest a member of staff or a welcome point that people can identify as a way to access help if needed. 

Seating: Pairs of chairs placed around the store can really help people to take a short break from shopping if they are starting to struggle. 

Restaurants and cafes: During Slow Shopping times, we encourage cafes to offer an ‘at-table’ service, lay the tables and consider visual impairment. In John Lewis Newcastle for example, a quiet area of the restaurant is identified and tables are set with a purple table cloth. Staff are made aware that anyone sitting in this area may need some help. 

Sounds: We try to minimise sensory overload so during Slow Shopping times, music is often switched off and tannoy announcements are stopped for anything but emergencies. Deliveries and shelf-stacking are also deferred. 

Lighting: Obviously every environment is different but where possible we ask organisations to consider whether harsh bright lighting can be dimmed without causing any accidents or security issues. 

Toilets: It’s important that the signage for toilets is very clear.