Primark is making a big change to its stores this weekend in order to enhance the shopping experience for its customers. Starting from Saturday (May 16), every Primark shop in England, Wales and Scotland will have a sensory-friendly shopping hour with changes including reduced noise and no in-store announcements.
According to the high street giant, the step marks another step in its “commitment to creating a more accessible shopping experience for customers”. The initiative will see the first hour of trading every Saturday adapted to better support customers with sensory sensitivities, including neurodivergent customers.
Stores will introduce a series of changes aimed at creating a calmer, more comfortable shopping environment, including reduced noise levels, quieter till sounds, no in‑store announcements and support from specially trained colleagues who will be available to assist customers.
The rollout comes after a successful pilot across 26 stores in the East Midlands and the North East, where feedback from customers and colleagues helped shape and refine the programme ahead of its wider introduction.
Primark UK Retail Director Kari Rodgers said: “Everyone should feel comfortable and confident when shopping in our stores.
“We know that for some customers, the busy nature of retail environments can be overwhelming, so we’re proud to be introducing sensory-friendly shopping hours across all our stores in Great Britain.
“The positive response to our pilot programme showed the difference small changes can make, and this rollout is an important step in ensuring Primark stores are welcoming and accessible spaces for all.”
Primark says the initiative is part of its broader commitment to making the brand a more accessible place for both customers and employees.
This includes expanding its range of accessible products, designing more inclusive store environments, fostering a workplace culture that prioritises accessibility, and ensuring its campaigns feature diverse representation across all marketing and promotional materials.