Yes....many elderly and disabled people have enough trouble getting to medical appointments at that time, let alone going shopping.

 

I also heard it was being restricted to holders of Government Benefits cards (such as Seniors Cards) but there are many elderly people who are not on any sort of benefits but have to eat so have to brave the free for all at the supermarket.

Maybe a proof of age document should be accepted.

Perhaps for some.

However, when we lived in a larger town, Coles was open 24 hours.

As I worked shift work at the time, I was out and about in the early morning hours and regularly saw older people doing their weekly/fortnightly shop at 3-5am.

It would also be difficult for the stores to set a time during regular hours, as some people would get upset at not being allowed in the store at a time when they regularly shopped.

Nothing is ideal, but at least they're trying.

Yes, I thinks so.  Not for me, I would happily shop at 5 am, but this morning I went in for ONE thing only, milk, and at 8.30am they only just started to put the new delivery in the fridge.  There were just 1/2 dozen of skim milk in otherwise totally empty fridge, and she had to go and cut the plastic off the pallet with 2litres bottles of full cream for me.  The meat section only had some mince, and other shelves were rather depleted, no sign of toilet paper or tissues (not that I needed either) and I did not see any nappies, which my neighbor needs desperately. 

So, while it is very kind to have special shopping hour for us oldies; it would nice to do it after the shelves are stacked.

w w o s, I miss the 24 hr opening hours.
Used to be assured a heap of bargains late at night that made the budget stretch so much further

Not for me, I'm always up at the crack of dawn. Most elderly people I know (my friends and relatives) are awake very early also.