Two new ‘mini supermarkets’ have opened in Tasmania this week, offering valuable hands-on learning experiences for students with disabilities.
Located at Northern Support School in Launceston and Southern Support School in Hobart, these ‘Mini Woolies’ stores replicate the operations of regular Woolworths supermarkets.
Equipped with baskets, shelves, signage and uniforms, students can learn scanning and sales processes using functional registers.
Woolworths and Fujitsu Australia collaborated closely to bring these stores to life, with local team members from nearby Woolworths supermarkets also volunteering their time to help students and staff stock the shelves before each store’s launch.
Sarah Corey, General Manager of Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies at Woolworths Group, is excited to see program expand to Tasmania, with 40 mini stores now live across Australia.
“We’re excited to cross the Bass Strait and bring the Mini Woolies program to Tasmania, supporting the incredible work that these schools already do each day for young people with disabilities,” she said.
“The skills students will learn in their new Mini Woolies will equip them with the confidence and knowledge of retail operations in an exciting way, from the perspective of both a customer and a team member.”
Southern Support School Principal Simon Ellaby said the new ‘Mini Woolies’ store will now be incorporated into everyday learning activities for the students.
“We plan to integrate the store into our amazing Kitchen Garden Program, allowing our students to practice shopping skills at school before using those skills in the wider community,” he said.