Carrefour is introducing a daily quiet hour from 4 PM to 5 PM, aimed at autistic individuals to allow them to shop in a less noisy environment.
For them and all customers who wish to shop in peace, the lighting will be dimmed, and music as well as radio and microphone announcements will be turned off. Cleaning equipment will also not operate during this time slot.
The president of the association “Autisme France,” Danièle Langloys, highlights in a statement: “The initiative by Carrefour will allow them to shop in more suitable conditions, thus making their daily lives easier. I am also convinced that it will benefit other store customers, whether they are disabled or not.”
An initiative mostly appreciated by the store’s clientele. Even if not everyone is aware of its implementation. This is the case for two friends aged 15 and 16 who, in unison, assert: “We hadn’t heard about it.” Madouin Ahlma was unaware of this quiet hour. However, she appreciates the initiative: “It’s better. I don’t like it when there’s music. It’s more peaceful. The lighting like this is perfect!” Mathieu Jeronimi was aware of the measure: “I like it. Shopping is not done in a rush.” Turning to his daughter asleep in her stroller, he continues: “For the little one, she falls asleep more easily. We can take more time and stay longer in the store.”
Only Angélique, who is a vendor at a stall in the shopping mall aisles, doesn’t really appreciate this silence: “It’s awful. We fall asleep. I prefer if they left a little background sound even if it’s not great.” Her colleague Maëlle shares her opinion, though she admits not having “noticed” that the music stopped for an hour.
A similar measure was taken last year as part of the international autism awareness day. The brand had established a weekly quiet hour in over 1240 stores in France.
It had also implemented an action plan with the association to provide better access to priority checkouts, new more inclusive pictograms to account for various forms of disabilities. A dedicated communication was established for the staff.
