A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

 

[Khate]

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

To think that at age 80 I am too old to shop in my own time...... any, at my own speed.......slow, is galling to say the least, I have done my time, paid my taxes , been kind to others, volunteered for a variety of things from Blind Society 2years to Aged care home s, about 5 years, Scouts , 20 Years, Ambulance 4years, Pre schools and schools, Canoeing .... fund raising for events like the BV 100 which raised money for Cerebral Palsy, was official at many many races, my time was freely given, and taken I might add, very little thanks came my way, no flowers, no thank you nights etc, I was just one of the drones, which today when I read stuff like this, too slow etc I feel extremely bitter. Damn it all I paid my dues, now I and others like me are being pushed to the limits. And as for the running skipping jumping yelling kids and adults in supermarkets etc, please don't start me !!! Just by the by !

 

[Shane/#]

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

Shop when you can and f### the people whom thinks your to slow at the checkout etc these have to get through so quickly have been dragged up and have no respect for the older generation they should remember you got to the age you are and they have to get there they need to slow down and enjoy life like us that are getting on in year's a few minutes here and there aren't going to hurt anyone be responsible and respectful to the elderly

 

[saundy]

I do my shopping at 8 AM that's when the supermarket opens there is only a few people instore I am in and out in a very short time maybe one in front of me at the checkout because there is only one open at this time of the morning.

But if someone else has arrived at the checkout a second one is opens as required, I can usually get my shopping done very quickly because the the store is practically empty works for me.

 

[Jillhodges]

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

In someAsian countries where they have more tolerance for older people there is a specific check out aisle for seniors

 

[Countryjohn]

How

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

ridiculous. Just shop when you want to shop. Next thing we will be asking for a voice to represent us.

 

[Glo72]

I just have no words.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Just goes to show how little respect these T--DS have for anybody. They think they are sooooooo ENTITLED to tell people when it would be convenient to do their shopping so it doesn't interfere with them. Nothing but DISGUST for them.

 

[Bill MacL]

Want it now generation, have no patience, can't wait for anything, hope your funeral comes early.

 

[ElizabethL]

WTF
Next the suggestion will be that parents with kids must shop at a certain time of day.

 

[Gsr]

What a load of hogwash. Older shoppers are no more inconvenient than younger ones, especially parents with screaming and out of control kids. Saying that, everyone has the right to shop when it suits them, and to meander around the aisles checking out the items, and to enjoy a social chat with friends if they meet them, and to be slow at the checkouts. For some older people going shopping might be their only social outing they still get so of course they are going to make the most of it. A better solution would be for younger people, workers etc. to allow more time to drop by the shops and not expect everyone else to pander to their egos that has them thinking they are more important than anyone else in the shop and therefore are entitled to run in, grab what they want and run out. Surprised they don’t just push anyone else out of the way, some younger people have no respect for anyone else in society.

 

[Trouble1]

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

I say NAME and SHAME the intolerant younger spoilt brat who proposed this.

 

[Suzanne rose]

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry. REALLY !! what are you a fat Cow that takes up awhole isle .
Heaven forbids that you grow old one day. Then it will be banning younger people. Hope this person controls her children

 

[kerrikennel]

According to my age, I am a boomer. When I go shopping, I am often stuck in the aisles by younger people who are checking out the stock with their trolleys jammed right in the middle of the aisle so no one else can pass. How rude! I reckon these younger Gen x and Gen y should only be allowed to shop at a certain time each day, to give us boomers ease to shop in a timely manner.

 

[Bullwinkle]

What a load of crock…get over yourself..
Shopping is for some older citizens, the only time they have to interact with people, be it young children, teenagers, and adults.
Let them shop when they want
If the person who suggested this doesn’t like to have older people in the supermarket when shopping, then buy on line, so you can stay in your selfish bubble!!

 

[PattiB]

Why don’t they all shop online, as I do, then you don’t have to be inconvenienced by anyone. I must remember to clutter up the aisles & gossip to everyone next time I do venture into a store. But really why give it a second thought, who cares what young people think! They will be old one day & hopefully they’ll reflect. Most of the younger people I encounter are lovely but I do know a lot of grumpy older ones, me included sometime!

 

[MargOS51]

A shopper recently raised a suggestion on social media, proposing that supermarkets implement a dedicated time slot, which they called 'boomer hour', exclusively for older customers.

The idea is to address concerns about older shoppers potentially causing delays at the checkout.

The shopper argued that older customers should consider the time constraints faced by other customers, such as busy workers and parents.

They added that some older customers tend to linger in the aisles to simply socialise, which can inconvenience shoppers in a hurry.

View attachment 31414

Older people have been accused of taking up aisle space and taking too long at the supermarket checkout because they stop to socialise. Credit: Shutterstock.

The shopper's suggestion has sparked a debate on the internet, with a consumer expert criticising it as a form of age discrimination.

One user commented on a Facebook post, saying: ‘Do we have absolutely no tolerance for anything? Just let people do their thing! How do you know what they are going through?’

Another agreed and added, ‘It’s really sad how intolerant people are these days… Just say excuse me if you need to get to a shelf?’

A senior shared their thoughts and commented: ‘I reserve the right to shop when I want.’

Barry Urquhart, a retail strategist, branded the proposal as ‘ageism personified’ and argued that in a time when both the cost of living and doing business are high, it is 'ill-advised' to exclude or marginalise any group of consumers based on their age.

While Urquhart acknowledged that younger shoppers might find these concerns understandable, he believes that targeting older Aussies in this way is not the right solution.

'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he explained.

The expert added that Australia, except Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world, and at a time when people were therefore looking to cut spending, any customers need to be encouraged.

'[Older Aussies] are the ones who are countering the effective contraction in discretionary purchases because they have the cash, the money, the inclination and the satisfaction of going out, spending and having a good time, which is for the betterment of themselves, and Australian business.'

Instead of excluding older shoppers, Mr Urquhart suggested that supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.

He believes that the key to this lies in extending store operating hours and increasing the number of staff members directly interacting with customers.

'If they are spending more time talking to peer shoppers and service providers, it means they're staying in the premises longer,' he said, adding that when customers spend more time inside a shop, they tend to make more unplanned purchases.

'That is very attractive for anyone in business today,' he said.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Woolworths and Coles took a proactive step to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals had priority access to essential items in short supply.

Both retailers designated a specific time slot (from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) exclusively for senior citizens and those with disabilities to help them complete their shopping without the stress of encountering aggressive panic buyers.

The discussion regarding limiting shopping hours for older individuals became quite heated on Facebook, with many expressing strong disapproval of the idea, calling it 'appalling' and 'disgraceful'.

Key Takeaways

• An Australian shopper sparked debate by suggesting supermarkets introduce a 'boomer hour' for older customers who take up too much time at the checkout and in the aisles.
• Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart called the idea a form of age discrimination, pointing out that older Australians are a primary driver of the marketplace and play a significant role in the retail sector.
• According to Mr Urquhart, supermarkets should welcome them and focus on enhancing customer service.
• During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access hours for seniors and those with disabilities to ensure they could get their shopping done without coming into contact with panic buyers.

Whether or not older shoppers are seen as beneficial for business, it's crucial to acknowledge their right to shop without feeling excluded in supermarkets.

Supermarkets should aim to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all customers, regardless of age, as fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity is a fundamental principle of any compassionate and thriving society.

Members, surely you have thoughts and sentiments you’d love to share about this shopper’s proposal? Does it make sense for you? Please share them with us in the comments below!

Absolute rubbish. Perhaps the younger generation should learn a little more patience and take a step back. They will be old one day and realise the world does not revolve around the young. We all have a right to shop when we want. The problem lies within the supermarkets not employing enough checkout operators. I went shopping on Thursday and the store I was in had recently upgraded the scanner. Because of this there were only 3 out of 10 checkouts that the belt was operational to move the groceries. So they would not open those checkouts. Older people may chat to the checkout operator but that doesn't mean they are going any slower. Take a breath and chill out a bit.

 

[lonelyasacloud]

I’ll shop when I want to thank you very much

 

[Pink lion]

Ha ha ha. What a world. I remember hearing a guy on the radio years back in Sydney, describing an app that saves at least 57 seconds at a shop counter, and the other person asked more about it. This made me burst out laughing while driving. Ha ha ha and so we are coming to this now are we? Maybe they should have a media-chip imprinted in a rotating hand sensor adjusted to face height at counters for the jet setters.

The logic is simple, implant the go getter-Jet setters, with compatible media chips. They could then zip and zing and do their thing through stores and do their shopping on powered platforms, putting everything into data chip recording baskets as they go. The basket tallies their purchases, while they avoid verbal contact and zip through the aisles, without the need to even make eye contact.

When approaching the counter with their purchases, each youngling gets data slapped in the face by the moistened to stop the spread of germs, rotating hand swiper. To do this face time will automatically enable funds to be removed from each young executive, for the items they have purchased. Then each go getter-jetsetter, can be then zig zag zipped outside at an increased speed on their platform ride, where they can be tipped unceremoniously into automated vehicles with their purchases and rushed off to their technical booths and plugged into the corporate machine with seconds to spare for nodding hello or maybe even a quick wave to someone in a nearby cubicle.

If that's the dream, someone keen, should make this upgraded shopping experience for them. The rotating face slapping function is of course not necessary but as so many things are not necessary it will at least serve as entertainment for older generation operators in the media room to enjoy, plus it could be live streamed as part of the shopping channel as a sort of slapstick comedy hour for all to enjoy. The silly thing is that one day as the idea makes no rational sense to my generation, someone will do it.

It would also make a great clip in a George Jettson cartoon...

Just sayin'

 

[StarTrekker]

When I shop at Supermarkets I find that it is the parents with kids hogging the aisles and gossiping. I am in a wheelchair and there is no consideration for me trying to get past.