In this fast-paced and digitized world, many older adults find it hard to keep up. As a result, they’re often left out or just prefer to stay on the sideline and be mere spectators.
Loneliness is a big issue for seniors around the world as most of them live on their own or in retirement villages.
One of the things they look forward to is grocery shopping, which they can’t do during busy periods for fear of holding up the line at the checkout counters.
Most older people seek a less stressful and more enjoyable shopping experience. As much as possible, they want to shop in comfort and take advantage of the social interaction with other shoppers and store employees. In a way, activities like this give them a prolonged sense of independence.
This is why Jumbo, a big Netherlands-based supermarket chain with over 700 stores, introduced the concept of Kletskassa to its stores.
The term translates to ‘chat checkout,’ a special lane for elderly or senior customers where they can check out their purchases without being rushed and even enjoy an unhurried and regular conversation with the cashier
In the summer of 2019, ‘slow lanes’ were introduced in Jumbo stores to support the One Against Loneliness initiative of the Dutch government.
There are 1.3 million people over 75 years old in the Netherlands. And according to Statistics Netherlands, 33% have reported feeling at least moderately lonely.
As of 2021, 29
Aside from the Kletskassa, Jumbo also has a chat corner where residents, not just seniors, can sit together and chat over a cup of coffee. Continue reading Supermarket chain store opens slower ‘chat checkouts’ to combat loneliness among the elderly