On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Carrefour announced the implementation of a weekly quiet hour every Monday, from 2 PM to 3 PM, in more than 1,240 stores, including the Carrefour hypermarkets of Nice Lingostière, Nice TNL, and Antibes.
The quiet hour is intended for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as well as for all customers who wish to shop in a calm environment. Since April 5th, every Monday, from 2 PM to 3 PM, the lighting in the stores is dimmed, the music and announcements over the loudspeaker and radio are turned off, and cleaning equipment cannot be used.
A more comprehensive action plan
“This commitment is a significant advancement for autistic individuals and their families. Carrefour’s initiative will allow them to shop in more suitable conditions, thus easing their daily lives. I am also convinced that it will benefit other customers in the stores, whether they have disabilities or not.” explains Danièle Langloys, president of the Autisme France association.
The quiet hour is the first step of Carrefour’s action plan, developed jointly with Autisme France, which will include, among other things, facilitating priority access to checkouts, introducing new, more inclusive pictograms in stores that better consider the various forms of disability. Simultaneously, the brand will raise awareness about the topic among its employees through dedicated communications. Through this approach, Carrefour continues its efforts towards the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, whether visible or not.
About Carrefour in France
In France, Carrefour is present through 4 formats (hypermarket, supermarket, convenience store, cash & carry) and more than 5,200 stores. For sixty years, Carrefour has established itself as a partner in the daily lives of millions of customers by offering a wide range of products and services at the best price. To meet new consumption patterns and facilitate customer shopping, Carrefour is developing multichannel solutions (e-commerce, Drive, Click and Collect, express delivery, mobile apps). Carrefour employs 105,000 staff and welcomes over 3 million customers every day in France.
