Tesco has announced a new initiative to support customers who are blind or partially sighted.
In partnership with Be My Eyes, the global leader in accessibility technology for the visually impaired, the supermarket aims to "enhance" in-store accessibility.
The two have committed to a six-month pilot collaboration in which on-demand assistance is provided, potentially transforming the shopping experience for many.
It launched this week, in celebration of World Sight Day on October 9.
The partnership integrates cutting-edge accessibility technology into the retailer's customer service framework.
It enables visually impaired shoppers to access immediate support through their smartphones.
Tesco hopes the initiative will inspire "greater confidence, independence, and ease" among these customers.
During the pilot scheme, users of the Be My Eyes app can establish direct connections with Tesco staff members who provide real-time visual guidance.
Tesco has partnered with Be My Eyes in a six-month pilot programme
|TESCO
Staff members can assist remotely by viewing the customer's surroundings through their device camera, offering personalised help throughout the shopping journey.
The service encompasses comprehensive shopping support tailored to individual needs.
Shoppers can use the platform to distinguish between products on shelves and check crucial details such as dimensions, variations and best-before dates.
The technology extends to helping shoppers navigate loyalty programme benefits, allowing them to confirm exclusive Clubcard discounts and promotional deals.
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Tesco hopes the initiative will inspire 'greater confidence, independence, and ease'
|GETTY
Beyond this, the system provides guidance for using automated payment terminals, ensuring smooth transactions without requiring physical assistance.
Store teams can deliver instant help through the application whenever customers encounter difficulties.
This real-time support model empowers individuals with sight loss to manage their grocery shopping with minimal barriers, fostering greater self-reliance in everyday retail environments.
The move represents a significant step towards making grocery shopping more inclusive and accessible across the UK's retail sector.
Chair of disability network at Tesco, Russell Price, stated: "Everyone is welcome at Tesco, and with Be My Eyes, we can help support visually impaired customers by connecting them with a Tesco colleague for live, in-store support using a simple video call.
"This trial, launching on World Sight Day, aims to help make shopping at Tesco even more welcoming and accessible for our blind or partially sighted customers, even when shopping independently."
CEO of Be My Eyes, Mike Buckley, added: "Our mission at Be My Eyes has always been to make the world more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.
"By joining forces with Tesco, we're making everyday shopping not just more convenient, but more inclusive for thousands of people in the UK who deserve equal access to essential services."
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