Supermarket giant Tesco has announced that it will be implementing a permanent change in all of its UK stores, including all 25 Edinburgh branches, following a successful trial run.
The change will benefit those with hidden disabilities that shop instore, as well as elderly customers, the Manchester Evening News also reports.
Tesco will now dim its lights and reduce the loud noises of the check-outs for an hour in the morning on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in a bid to allow every person to shop happily instore.
The quieter hour will be from 9am until 10am, and is to become a permanent fixture across Scotland, including the 25 different stores across Edinburgh.
The supermarket said: “People can feel, see and experience the world differently, and for our customers with autism, the shopping experience may sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.
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“A calmer environment can also be better for our elderly customers, ones shopping with young children, or our customers who may be struggling with mental health.”
Tesco's - spanning around 3,400 stores in the whole of the UK - has said that it will also aim to reduce the noise of self-serve tills and Scan As You Shop devices in the near future as well.
The brand new "quiet hour" scheme is already being used in the larger Tesco branches.
Claire Pickthall, Tesco group customer proposition director said: "We know that almost 20% of the population in the UK have a disability and we want to be able to help our customers as much as we can.
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"I know that for some people the shopping trip can be stressful and not just for people with a disability but for others looking for a calmer place to shop.
"We want everyone to know that Tesco is a welcome place for everyone to come and shop or work with us."
