Here at Brightpearl HQ, we’ve enjoyed keeping you updated on all the latest and greatest shopping dates via our annual retail calendar.
Following a successful inaugural event in November 2018, we’re pleased to say that a new UK shopping event will be added to our calendar this year called Purple Tuesday.
What is Purple Tuesday?
Brought to you by disability support organization, Purple, Purple Tuesday is happening on November 12, 2019.
According to its website, “Purple Tuesday is an international call to action, focused on changing the customer experience for disabled people. It involves organizations of all sizes and from all sectors taking decisive, practical actions to meet the needs of disabled customers.”
It also goes on to say: “Across the UK, the Purple Pound – the consumer spending power of disabled people and their families – is worth £249 billion and is rising by an average of 14% per annum. Worldwide, the Purple Pound equates to a staggering £2.25 trillion, yet less than 10% of businesses have a targeted plan to access this disability market.”
Oh look, inclusive retail practices generating positive PR and increased sales… it’s almost like this #inclusion thing is good for business! 😉 ♿️#InclusiveRetail #Accessibility #PurpleTuesday @PurpleTuesNov @DisabilitySmart @samrenke https://t.co/rwQkIkLpb9
— Barclays Access (@BarclaysAccess) October 7, 2019
What does Purple Tuesday involve?
Although Purple Tuesday is free to get involved with, it asks that all participants commit to improving at least one area of the customer experience for those with disabilities across the next 12 months.
“Purple Tuesday is not simply about one day. It is what follows over the next 364 days and beyond,” says Mike Adams OBE, Chief Executive of Purple.
A number of big name retailers and shopping outlets across the country have already committed to taking part this year including Superdrug, Hotter Shoes, Dunelm and M&S.
Purple car parking bays provide improved accessibility for disabled people at @charterwalk.
This is another way of improving the #customerexperience of disabled people. Create lasting change and get involved with #PurpleTuesday 💜
https://t.co/JaFWyuHnhF
#purplepound pic.twitter.com/n3uWU9HrHw— Purple Tuesday (@PurpleTuesNov) August 30, 2019
“Our Inclusive Hour is part of the new Purple Tuesday initiative…we’ve teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society to provide dementia awareness training to colleagues.” 💜
@asda store manager, Simon Lee, on getting involved in #PurpleTuesday: https://t.co/HjROJu3Vsr— Purple Tuesday (@PurpleTuesNov) October 3, 2019
The Beacon commitment to #PurpleTuesday is impressive. Good to be working with you on this project @aviterceo pic.twitter.com/V7JoqnVqKr
— Rotary Club Sovereign Harbour (@club_harbour) September 6, 2019
How can you get involved?
Accessibility improvements can be entirely bespoke to your business or you can use one of these ideas to help you get started:
- Audit your website for accessibility issues
- Implement quiet hours in store to support people with autism, as well as others with sensory needs
- Provide your customer service staff with disability training
- Train your team on key words and phrases in British Sign Language
- Promote awareness of hidden disabilities through ‘Not every disability is visible’ signage
- Improve your store’s wayfaring signage
And don’t worry if you don’t know where to begin! Just by signing up, you’ll gain access to a number of free resources guiding you through each suggested improvement.
Are you taking part in Purple Tuesday this year? We’d love to hear what you’ve got planned! Just leave us a comment below or message us on social:
Or to find out more about Purple Tuesday and what it involves, take a look at the official website here.
