grocery stores that can affect the function of low vision individuals, clinicians can more ... Future grocery store designs should also keep in mind their low vision ...
Needs of the Visually Impaired in Grocery Stores Joann Adams, Kaitlyn Lukefahr, and Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, FAAO
Introduction
Store
The act of grocery shopping is something that most adults take for granted. However, it can be a challenge for the visually impaired. Navigating the aisles and reading the labels and price tags on products are two critical tasks that can be difficult. By assessing factors of grocery stores that can affect the function of low vision individuals, clinicians can more appropriately advise these patients about orientation, mobility, and visual needs when shopping. This study evaluates several aspects of grocery stores including customer service, lighting, and visual acuity of labels.
Trader Joe’s
Nine store brand products that are considered common pantry items were evaluated for font size of the product labels, list of ingredients on these labels, and pricing labels, then were measured and converted to near visual acuity (VA) requirements. These near VA requirements were then compared to the different low vision classifications. Mild vision loss or near-normal vision is considered as 20/30-20/60, moderate visual impairment is 20/7020/160, severe visual impairment is 20/200-20/400, profound visual impairment is 20/500 to 20/1000, near-total impairment is worse than 20/10002.
Results All visited stores offered assistance to visually impaired customers. Seven out of 8 store brands met or exceeded the IES recommendations for illumination in the general shopping aisles, compared to 5 out of 8 in the produce aisles and only 4 out of 8 in the checkout lane (See Figure 1). Minimum VA requirements varied across stores and product type. The mean VA of product labels was 20/320 (Range 20/70 to 20/1160) and ingredient lists was 20/50 (Range 20/25 to 20/90) (See Figures 2 and 3). The mean VA of of price labels was 20/400 (Range of 20/170 to 20/740) (See Figure 4).
Average Produce Illuminance (lux)
Average Checkout Illuminance (lux)
587.83
268.06*
Walmart
Regular Price Tag
Sale Price Tag
Trader Joe’s
20/360
20/620
Target
20/260
20/620
Walmart
20/530
20/740
Dierbergs
20/310
20/470
Schnucks
20/210
20/380
Aldi
20/450
20/450
836.5
374.56*
1176.22
Store
357.22*
1193.39
908.44
Dierbergs
605.28
536.72*
522.17*
Schnucks
424.72
676.89
561.28
Aldi
327.56
815.11
485.56*
Shop ‘n Save
459.5
876.06
623
Shop ‘n Save
20/210
20/350
Whole Foods
430.78
521.38*
460.72*
Whole Foods
20/170
20/520
Average
20/310
20/520
Figure 1. Averages of measured illuminance values in three sections of grocery stores. The measurements with an (*) next to the number do not meet the lux recommendation of IES1.
Figure 4. Near Snellen visual acuity averages for store pricing labels. Individuals with severe visual impairment (20/200-20/400)2 and above may have difficulty with reading price labels. Store
Two locations of 8 different grocery store companies were visited within the St. Louis, Missouri area. Critical aspects of shopping for the visually impaired were assessed. This included if customer service at these locations were willing to help shop with low vision shoppers. The average illuminance of 9 readings from three major sections of the store were taken: (1) the produce section which is critical for picking out fresh foods, (2) other general shopping aisles which are critical for reading labels, and (3) the checkout counters which is critical for money exchange. These illuminance values were taken with a hand held light meter and was used to compare the values to the recommended illumination by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Handbook. The Handbook suggests that general lighting in the aisles should be between 323 and 538 lux, task areas such as checkout and produce aisles should be between 538 to 2152 lux, and accent lighting should be between 1612 and 5382 lux1. It is also recommended that individuals over 65 years old should be provided with two times the recommended lux levels 1.
562.61
Target
Future grocery store designs should also keep in mind their low vision customers who would like to physically shop for their own items, as this is a necessity for everyone. Even though there are companies that can bring the products to the door for people who do not have easy access to stores, it may not always be necessary depending on the level of low vision. Some people also prefer to be able to touch and feel the product before purchasing it. Additionally, grocery shopping is another way for a low vision individuals to keep active in their lifestyle.
Methods
Average Aisle Illuminance (lux)
Milk
Eggs
Bread
Butter
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Chips
Popcorn
Broth
Trader Joe’s
20/380
20/230
20/240
20/450
20/450
20/230
20/310
20/400
20/210
Target
20/290
20/90
20/210
20/70
20/210
20/120
20/160
20/260
20/100
Walmart
20/90
20/260
20/350
20/350
20/350
20/260
20/1160
20/310
20/280
Dierbergs
20160
20/120
20/240
20/100
20/280
20/310
20/1000
20/790
20/170
Schnucks
20/170
20/240
20/430
20/330
20/900
20/130
20/1050
20/830
20/190
Aldi
20/100
20/140
20/280
20/200
20/620
20/310
20/280
20/530
20/140
Shop ‘n Save
20/90
20/240
20/210
20/140
20/480
20/120
20/860
20/190
20/170
Whole Foods
20/100
20/160
20/280
20/410
20/350
20/160
20/720
20/350
20/290
Average
20/170
20/190
20/280
20/260
20/455
20/190
20/690
20/460
20/190
Figure 2. Near Snellen visual acuity measurements for store brand product labels. Based on classifications of visual impairment, those with moderate (20/70-20/160)2 visual impairment should be able to read product labels, but those with severe (20/200 to 20/400)2 and above will have difficulty. The smallest measured near VA is 20/70.
Store
Milk
Bread
Butter
Cereal
Peanut Butter
Chips
Popcorn
Broth
Trader Joe’s
20/70
20/50
20/50
20/50
20/50
20/40
20/50
20/60
Target
20/50
20/50
20/40
20/50
20/40
20/40
20/50
20/50
Walmart
20/50
20/60
20/50
20/70
20/40
20/40
20/40
20/40
Dierbergs
20/50
20/80
20/80
20/40
20/60
20/60
20/60
20/60
Schnucks
20/40
20/50
20/40
20/50
20/25
20/90
20/25
20/50
Aldi
20/50
20/60
20/50
20/50
20/50
20/60
20/60
20/40
Shop ‘n Save
20/50
20/50
20/50
20/60
20/40
20/50
20/50
20/50
Whole Foods
20/40
20/40
20/50
20/50
20/40
20/50
20/50
20/50
Average
20/50
20/60
20/50
20/50
20/40
20/50
20/50
20/50
Figure 3. Near Snellen visual acuity measurements for the list of ingredients on store brand product labels. Those with mild vision loss/ near-normal vision (20/30-20/60)2 will have difficulty. Reading ingredients can be an important task for the visually impaired, such as diabetic individuals who may not want to consume products that have sugar listed high in the ingredient list.
Conclusions The visually impaired should not be restricted from instrumental activities of daily living such as grocery shopping. This study demonstrates that all visited grocery stores would provide assistance to those with visual challenges, including guiding the customer through the aisles, handing them items, and reading labels and price information. Most stores maintain product and pricing labels that can be reasonably managed by all, except for the most severely impaired. Lighting in most establishments is kept to levels recommended by lighting experts. They should also consider lighting above each aisle or even lighting throughout the store. However, manufacturers should be aware of a minimum font size of at least 18 point, corresponding to near VA of about 20/108 or 2.15 M notation3. Other considerations with fonts and labels is to not print them with glossy finishes, as this could cause glare. The use of more symmetrical fonts with larger spacing would make labels easier to read3. Another suggestion worth mentioning is to not place items below knee level. This was something that was noted during research at Dierbergs locations, but was not part of the formal assessment of all of the stores. This could affect those with peripheral vision loss that may be at risk of tripping over these items. It would be ideal for grocery stores to keep the visual needs of low vision individuals in mind when designing a grocery store.
References 1. DiLaura DL, Houser KW, Mistrick RG, Steffy GR. The Lighting Handbook. Tenth Edition. New York, NY: Illuminating Engineering Society; 2011. 2. American Optometric Association. Low Vision. Published 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017. https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/low-vision 3. Tips for Making Print More Readable. American Foundation for the Blind. Published 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017. http://www.afb.org/info/reading-and-writing/making-print-morereadable/35
