Woolworths launches groundbreaking new feature that’s changing shopper’s experience
- Replies 5
Shopping has always been a routine part of life, but for some, it comes with challenges that most might never consider.
Woolworths, one of Australia's leading supermarket chains, is taking significant steps to ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities, can work and shop with ease.
Woolworths has unveiled an innovative, accessible checkout in their Hurstville store in Sydney, and it's changing the game for inclusivity in retail.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Australian Paralympian Col Pearse, who won Silver at the Paris Games.
'It’s awesome to see Woolworths making it easier for people with disabilities to work in a supermarket,' Pearse remarked, highlighting how the new checkout design could open doors for many.
‘I know for someone like me who has a lower-leg amputation, standing for extended periods can be painful, so this checkout has the potential to open doors to lots of different people with disabilities.’
The accessible checkout, which was revealed last year, is a marvel of inclusive design, incorporating a range of features that cater to the needs of team members with physical disabilities.
This checkout is a welcome innovation for those who use wheelchairs or have conditions such as lower-body amputations that make standing for long periods challenging.
It boasts an adjustable height to accommodate wheelchair users and those who prefer to sit on a stool.
The narrower conveyor belt allows easy access to groceries from a seated position, and the rotating bag transfer means heavy lifting is a thing of the past, as packed bags can be easily rotated towards the customer.
Even the drawer for receipt paper is designed for easy access and refilling, showing that no detail was too small in Woolworths' pursuit of an inclusive environment.
Johnson Chen, a team member who played a crucial role in testing the prototype design, joined Pearse at the Hurstville store for the launch.
Chen's feedback was instrumental in refining the checkout's design, and he's a testament to the positive impact of Woolworths' commitment to inclusivity.
Having worked at Woolworths' Kellyville Grove store, where the first accessible checkout was piloted, Chen can now transfer to the Hurstville store, closer to his home, thanks to the installation of the new checkout.
‘I’d like to thank Woolworths for this opportunity to work there. I’ve loved joining the Woolworths team and working on the checkout,’ Chen said.
‘It’s certainly made my uni holidays more productive and given me a new perspective on the workforce. I’m excited that I’ll be able to spend this Christmas break working at a more local store thanks to a new accessible checkout being installed here.’
‘The accessible register is very convenient—it has gone through multiple tests not just by me but with many other wheelchair users,’ he added.
‘In particular, I like how the register is height adjustable to suit the many types of wheelchair heights, which also can be adjusted to the height of a standing person to work at the register.’
The introduction of the accessible checkout required significant changes, including repositioning and reinstalling other checkouts to accommodate the additional space needed.
However, Woolworths saw this as an opportunity to refresh the entire store, resulting in a revamped front entrance, new flooring, electronic shelf labels, an extended dairy selection, and an expanded international foods section, with a particular focus on Asian cuisine.
Rob McCartney, Managing Director of Woolworths 360, emphasized the company's belief that their team should reflect the diverse community they serve.
‘We strongly believe that our team should represent the diverse community they serve, and we have the onus to create more accessible jobs,’ McCartney said.
‘Unfortunately, there have traditionally been practical barriers for people who use wheelchairs or have other physical disabilities to work in many retail spaces.’
‘However, we’re working to change that with these new accessible checkouts, and we’ll continue to look for opportunities to make them available in other stores.’
The Hurstville store's renewal also saw the introduction of Woolworths' recycled trolleys, made from 100 per cent recycled plastic from used milk bottles, furthering the company's commitment to sustainability.
You can watch Woolworths’ video below:
Credit: @woolworths_au / TikTok
Have you visited the new Woolworths in Hurstville? What are your thoughts on the accessible checkout? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Woolworths, one of Australia's leading supermarket chains, is taking significant steps to ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities, can work and shop with ease.
Woolworths has unveiled an innovative, accessible checkout in their Hurstville store in Sydney, and it's changing the game for inclusivity in retail.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Australian Paralympian Col Pearse, who won Silver at the Paris Games.
Woolworths launched its latest accessible checkout in Sydney. Credit: @woolwoths_au / TikTok
'It’s awesome to see Woolworths making it easier for people with disabilities to work in a supermarket,' Pearse remarked, highlighting how the new checkout design could open doors for many.
‘I know for someone like me who has a lower-leg amputation, standing for extended periods can be painful, so this checkout has the potential to open doors to lots of different people with disabilities.’
The accessible checkout, which was revealed last year, is a marvel of inclusive design, incorporating a range of features that cater to the needs of team members with physical disabilities.
This checkout is a welcome innovation for those who use wheelchairs or have conditions such as lower-body amputations that make standing for long periods challenging.
It boasts an adjustable height to accommodate wheelchair users and those who prefer to sit on a stool.
The narrower conveyor belt allows easy access to groceries from a seated position, and the rotating bag transfer means heavy lifting is a thing of the past, as packed bags can be easily rotated towards the customer.
Even the drawer for receipt paper is designed for easy access and refilling, showing that no detail was too small in Woolworths' pursuit of an inclusive environment.
Johnson Chen, a team member who played a crucial role in testing the prototype design, joined Pearse at the Hurstville store for the launch.
Chen's feedback was instrumental in refining the checkout's design, and he's a testament to the positive impact of Woolworths' commitment to inclusivity.
Having worked at Woolworths' Kellyville Grove store, where the first accessible checkout was piloted, Chen can now transfer to the Hurstville store, closer to his home, thanks to the installation of the new checkout.
‘I’d like to thank Woolworths for this opportunity to work there. I’ve loved joining the Woolworths team and working on the checkout,’ Chen said.
‘It’s certainly made my uni holidays more productive and given me a new perspective on the workforce. I’m excited that I’ll be able to spend this Christmas break working at a more local store thanks to a new accessible checkout being installed here.’
‘The accessible register is very convenient—it has gone through multiple tests not just by me but with many other wheelchair users,’ he added.
‘In particular, I like how the register is height adjustable to suit the many types of wheelchair heights, which also can be adjusted to the height of a standing person to work at the register.’
The introduction of the accessible checkout required significant changes, including repositioning and reinstalling other checkouts to accommodate the additional space needed.
However, Woolworths saw this as an opportunity to refresh the entire store, resulting in a revamped front entrance, new flooring, electronic shelf labels, an extended dairy selection, and an expanded international foods section, with a particular focus on Asian cuisine.
Rob McCartney, Managing Director of Woolworths 360, emphasized the company's belief that their team should reflect the diverse community they serve.
‘We strongly believe that our team should represent the diverse community they serve, and we have the onus to create more accessible jobs,’ McCartney said.
‘Unfortunately, there have traditionally been practical barriers for people who use wheelchairs or have other physical disabilities to work in many retail spaces.’
‘However, we’re working to change that with these new accessible checkouts, and we’ll continue to look for opportunities to make them available in other stores.’
The Hurstville store's renewal also saw the introduction of Woolworths' recycled trolleys, made from 100 per cent recycled plastic from used milk bottles, furthering the company's commitment to sustainability.
You can watch Woolworths’ video below:
Credit: @woolworths_au / TikTok
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