Asda has confirmed a major change to its in-store cafés as part of a campaign to combat loneliness in elderly shoppers.
The supermarket is transforming its cafés into “Chatty Cafés” – where senior citizens can socialise, eat, drink, and make new friends. The first Chatty Café was launched yesterday by Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb at the Asda superstore in Basildon. Asda is also bringing back its Winter Warmer offer, where over-60s can get soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffee for just £1.
Asda colleagues will be wearing "Happy to Chat" badges, checking in on older customers in-store and when delivering home shopping orders. It comes as new research from the supermarket - which surveyed 1,000 over-60s - revealed how one in ten older Brits aren’t sure they’ll speak to anyone between December 15 and January 1. Almost four in five said they’ll rely on the TV for company this Christmas. One in ten over-60s said they’d gone to a supermarket simply to speak to another person.
Commenting on his store visit, Larry Lamb said: “It’s a privilege and an honour to work with Asda to launch its Chatty Cafés initiative this Christmas. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family this time of year, but that’s not the case for everyone, and it’s so important that we all club together and help combat loneliness.
“It’s heart-breaking to think that so many over 60’s in Britain might not speak to anyone at all over the extended Christmas period. Asda’s going all out to bring people in this Christmas and make them feel seen and heard, and spread a little Christmas joy. I’d urge everyone to do the same. If there’s somebody, anybody – young or old – who you know is going to be struggling for company this Christmas, pick up the phone or go and pay them a visit – and obviously, pay a visit to one of Asda’s Chatty Cafés”.
David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Asda, said: “Our mission this Christmas is to provide everything customers need at our famously low Asda prices. Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones and the fact one in ten of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
“That’s why, alongside The Asda Foundation, we’re proud to invest almost £1million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve. Our teams do incredible work to support communities all-year-round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many. We’re pledging to bring people together this festive season and encouraging people across the nation to check in with the elderly in their communities this Christmas.”