The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has today launched new guidance for retailers on how to meet the needs of disabled customers in store.
The guide has been developed in partnership with the Business Disability Forum, and covers a range of issues including wheelchair access, how to assist blind or visually impaired customers and how to assist those with dementia.
Minister of State for Small Business and Enterprise, Anna Soubry MP said: “This is a great user friendly guide of value not just to retailers but to all organisations. So I urge everyone who has contact with people who have a disability to read it and take on board the very sensible and sensitive recommendations. I congratulate the ACS on this achievement working with the Business Disability Forum”.
ACS chief executive, James Lowman said: “Convenience stores serve a wide range of customers from all age groups, social demographics and backgrounds, and can play a particularly important role for disabled and elderly customers who value the personalised service and convenient location of a local shop. This guide helps retailers and staff to make their stores as accessible as possible, and to meet the needs of disabled customers”.
Director of Policy, Services & Communications at the Business Disability Forum, George Selvanera, said: “Business Disability Forum has been delighted to work with the ACS in producing this important guidance. Welcoming disabled and older customers isn’t just the right thing to do – it makes good business sense for convenience stores which are at the heart of our communities.”
Figures from the Business Disability Forum show that at least one in three customers in the UK is either disabled or close to someone who has a disability. Disabled customers have a spending power of around £212bn a year.
For more information about the disability guide and to download a copy, visit www.acs.org.uk/advice/welcoming-disabled-customers/
