Morrisons and National Autistic Society Launch Sensory Boxes to Enhance Inclusive Shopping

Morrisons and National Autistic Society Launch Sensory Boxes to Enhance Inclusive Shopping

(IN BRIEF) To mark World Autism Acceptance Month, the Morrisons Foundation, in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, is launching Sensory Support Boxes in around 500 Morrisons supermarkets across the UK. The boxes, which include calming items like fidget balls, spinners, squish mats, and drawing boards, are designed to help autistic and neurodivergent customers manage sensory overload during shopping. Available from May, customers can request these items at the customer service kiosk upon entry. This initiative complements previous efforts such as the Quieter Hour, which reduces sensory stimuli in-store. Morrisons’ commitment to inclusivity is highlighted by statements from Community Manager Joseph Clark-Bland and Peter Watt from the National Autistic Society, who both emphasize the positive impact these measures will have on customer experience. The initiative also underscores the ongoing work of the Morrisons Foundation, which has donated over £42 million to charitable causes since 2015.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRADFORD, 1-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In celebration of World Autism Acceptance Month, the Morrisons Foundation, in Morrisons, Morrisons Foundation, National Autistic Society, Sensory Support Boxes, World Autism Acceptance Month, autistic, neurodivergent, inclusive shopping, fidget balls, spinners, squish mats, drawing boards, Quieter Hour, Joseph Clark-Bland, Peter Watt, UK supermarkets with the National Autistic Society, is set to launch Sensory Support Boxes in approximately 500 Morrisons supermarkets across the UK. Designed specifically to enhance the shopping experience for autistic and neurodivergent customers, these boxes have been developed with expert guidance to include items such as fidget balls, spinners, squish mats, and drawing boards—all intended to promote calmness, focus, and a sense of control in busy retail environments.

The initiative recognizes that routine activities like grocery shopping can be overwhelming for many due to factors like loud music, bright lights, and crowded spaces. By offering these sensory tools, Morrisons aims to create a more inclusive environment that caters to the needs of the roughly 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, ensuring that more than one in every 100 people feels supported during their shopping experience.

Customers interested in using the Sensory Support Boxes will simply need to speak with a colleague at the customer service kiosk upon entering the store. This effort builds on previous initiatives such as the Quieter Hour, introduced in 2018 to reduce in-store sensory overload by dimming lights and silencing checkout beeps during a designated time slot.

Joseph Clark-Bland, Community Manager at Morrisons, stated, “Ensuring that every customer feels welcome and understood is a top priority for us. We’re proud to lead the way in making our supermarkets more accessible for autistic individuals, their families, and all neurodivergent people. World Autism Acceptance Month is a key time for us, and our new Sensory Boxes are a testament to our ongoing commitment to inclusion.”

Peter Watt, Managing Director of National Programmes at the National Autistic Society, added, “The Morrisons Foundation Sensory Support Boxes are a fantastic initiative that addresses the unique challenges faced by autistic and neurodivergent customers in noisy, bright, and busy supermarket environments. It is encouraging to see Morrisons take proactive steps to create a more welcoming and accessible shopping experience.”

Since its establishment in 2015, the Morrisons Foundation has been dedicated to funding charity projects that improve people’s lives, having donated over £42 million to various causes across England, Scotland, and Wales. This new initiative is another significant step in their commitment to supporting the diverse needs of all their customers.

Media Contact:

pressoffice@morrisonsplc.co.uk

SOURCE: Morrison Supermarkets