Scotmid installs in-store magnifiers to help shoppers with sight problems
Scotmid is to roll-out i-viewer shelf mounted magnifiers in selected branches to help people with sight problems read food labels.
The move follows a successful trial in six stores across Edinburgh over the past few months where 75% of customers interviewed said they would find an i-viewer helpful.
The devices are designed to help people with sight problems read food labels for information on ingredients and nutritional content.
According to research conducted with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, 83% of people surveyed said they had problems with reading small product labels. Additionally, 60% of spectacle wearers said they regularly forgot to take their glasses with them when going out shopping.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Robin Spinks, principal manager at RNIB, said: “Shopping can be a challenging and frustrating experience for persons with poor eyesight. The i-viewer is an excellent example of how a simple and affordable adjustment can make a big difference for very many people.”
The i-viewer fits into the unused part of the shelving above products and can be withdrawn from its holder to provide a magnifier for the user. The device incorporates a high quality lens with two times magnification and a five times magnification bubble lens, providing help with reading even the smallest of print.
Mike Gordon, head of store development at Scotmid, said: “Being able to read the small print on food labels is a concern shared by many of our customers, particularly for people with restricted diets or allergies to certain ingredients. The i-viewer devices will give our customers with sight problems the peace of mind that they are able to make the right food choices. We are very pleased to be rolling out the i-viewer in-store magnifiers to selected Scotmid stores.”
The i-viewers are currently in Scotmid stores at Ratho, Broxburn, Barnton, Crewe Road, Ferry Road and Stockbridge, and will be rolled out to Easter Road, St Margarets, Beauly, Coupar Angus, Moredun, Hunterfield and Lazonby over the coming weeks.
