Waiting patiently in long checkout lines is not something that many people are good at.
We all have our own responsibilities and often find it hard to stop for a moment and do nothing but wait.
Nevertheless, people waiting in lines are not the only ones under pressure. For a second, just try to imagine how heavy of a burden the cashiers have to carry while trying to do their job fast enough for people to remain calm.
With the purpose of allowing both the employees and the shoppers to take it easy, one supermarket chain from Scotland came up with a genius idea. The Tesco store from Forres has recognized that some people require extra time to comfortably complete their purchase which led them to the invention of a special checkout lane.
The ‘relaxed checkout lane,’ as they call it, is available to anyone that is dealing with conditions such as dementia, anxiety, and autism. It is also popularly used by parents with kids and others who simply don’t want to rush through the checkout process.
This unique lane allows the customers to ask for help, talk to the cashier, and take more time for moving their items.
The idea was born when an Alzheimer Scotland dementia advisor, Wendy Menzies, visited Tesco to deliver an awareness seminar. As nearly 25 percent of the residents from their community who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease live alone, something had to be done to assist them. That’s when a Tesco employee suggested creating more space and allotting more time for those in need.
Since the relaxed checkout conception, the lane is now open during specific days and operated by cashiers trained by Alzheimer Scotland. “It can help take some of the pressure off and hopefully then it will encourage people to still go out and about and participate in things that they’ve always done,” Wendy explained TODAY.
Next to the checkout lane, there is a sign that reminds customers that they are allowed to take as much time as necessary in that lane. The poster also warns the shoppers that they may experience a wait to finish their transaction.
Tesco introduces 'slow' checkout lane for vulnerable shoppers
These supermarket 'slow lanes' make life less stressful for older and vulnerable people. Our No.2 most-watched video of 2017.
Posted by BBC Scotland News on Tuesday, December 26, 2017
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Ideas such as this one can make shopping much easier and more comfortable for the elderly and others who don’t like to be rushed. If you had a chance, would you check out in such lane or do you prefer to get out of the store as fast as possible? Let us know in the comments if you have any other ideas on how shopping could be made more pleasant!