ACS launches guide for retailers on welcoming disabled customers
The Association of Convenience Stores has launched new guidance for retailers on how to meet the needs of disabled customers in store.
Developed in partnership with the Business Disability Forum, the guide covers a range of issues including wheelchair access, how to assist blind or visually impaired customers and how to assist those with dementia.
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”.
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 £212 billion a year.
Minister of State for Small Business and Enterprise, Anna Soubry, 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”.
