Coles announces major change to all of its supermarkets between 6 and 7pm

Coles has announced a low sensory shopping hour will be introduced for one hour every week day to accommodate customers on the autism spectrum.

Quiet Hour, as it's known, will now run between 6pm and 7pm from Monday to Friday in Coles supermarkets across Australia.

During these times the Coles Radio will be turned down to its lowest volume, the register and scanners will also be turned down and the PA system will be turned off except for in emergencies.

Quiet Hour was set up for those who find high sensory environments challenging, and give them a more comfortable environment to buy their groceries in.

Coles was the first major supermarket to introduce Quiet Hour in 2017.

Select stores continue to reduce their sound and lighting between 10.30am to 11.30am on Tuesdays.

Coles Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Katie Wyatt, said the company was committed to making sure every shopper feels welcome.

'At Coles, we are always looking for new ways to serve our customers with disabilities and their carers, and we are privileged to have many active voices of people with disability in our feedback channels,' she said.

'Up to 70 per cent of autistic people experience sensitivity to sounds, with autistic adults reporting that these symptoms worsen with stress and anxiety therefore, Quiet Hour promotes increased opportunity and enhances the shopping experience for thousands of customers.'