However, they may not be enough for all so the Tesco management has ensured that their employees are well trained, friendly, and helpful to assist customers with certain disabilities. Due to the thousands of customers the stores receive every day, they also provide a few mobility carts that can also be used by customers who need wheelchairs. The only downside is that the carts may be difficult to drive especially for the elderly who may not have good use of their arms and feet to control the cart.
Tesco Accessibility
The store outlets are built in large buildings or malls where they are easily accessible to all even people living with disabilities. Additionally, the stores have large doors and a variety of ramps to be used as well as disability parking spots close enough to the store entrances.
Tesco also has a well-defined and update online shopping site where people with disabilities can do their shopping conveniently receiving the same prices and benefits as those who shop in-store.
Tesco considers people who may need a little extra help inside the store while shopping by offering them to wear a Sunflower lanyard. This is worn by customers who are members of the Sunflower program that gives these tags to help the staff understand that the individual may need extra help in the store. For privacy purposes, the store does not need to know what specific disability the customer has so it is used by people of all types of disabilities including, hearing loss, diabetes, autism, blindness, or customers in a wheelchair.
Other Tesco services to assist customers in wheelchairs
In addition to encouraging customers who use wheelchairs to become members of Sunflower, the store also provides other services to assist these customers in their shopping experience. They make shopping more effective by;
Sub-contracting another company to make access guides for all the over 200 stores in the UK alone so that wheelchair customers can move around the stores shopping with ease and comfort knowing where all the items they need are. They have also improved the quality of their washrooms which now are included changing areas and wheelchair-accessible facilities such as a privacy screen. The stores provide large texts and portable checkout screens on the self-service counter which helps wheelchair customers complete the shopping process without needing much help from the staff. Apart from customers in wheelchairs, Tesco also caters to those who are hard of hearing by proving guide dogs at the store which help guide to locate the items that the customer needs. People with disabilities especially those who need wheelchairs, usually prefer to do their shopping during off-peak hours. Tesco stores provide the duration of time that they call in-store quiet hours. It is between 9 – 10 am every Wednesday and Saturday when the store’s conditions are most favorable for people with disabilities to shop.
Conclusion
Wheelchairs at Tesco are very few due to the large numbers of people that the stores serve per day. However, Tesco has more and improved facilities to cater to all people who have disabilities that are especially beneficial to those who need to use wheelchairs. The use of Sunflower lanyards is highly encouraged because it indicates that the particular customer needs more help while shopping than the rest. Additionally, the store allows customers who will need help during shopping at Tesco to book help in advance on their official website. This is done by contacting customer service and requesting assistance for any particular difficulty you may face while shopping in-store.
Frequently asked questions
How does the staff help people in wheelchairs at Tesco?
By giving them more time to shop, helping them pack bags and go back to their cars, reading labels, and helping to reach items that are out of reach to the customer.
Why does Tesco give lanyards to wheelchair customers?
The lanyards help the Tesco staff identify customers that need help finding things in the store and be ready to help where needed.
Does Tesco have a map?
Yes. There is a map of the general overview of every store which indicates where all the essential goods are located and gives a layout of the movements to be made.
Is it free to park at Tesco?
Free parking is available at Tesco for a limited period. However, disability parking does not have a time limit on it.
