During the "silent hour" from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., there will be no music or announcements throughout the store. The employees in Theodor-Körner-Strasse have been specially trained in dealing with people with autism and are sensitized accordingly. Assistance dogs are of course welcome in all stores throughout Austria. "With the 'Silent Hour', we want to offer people with autism a pleasant and stress-free shopping opportunity and thereby promote their participation in social life. Since this hour is also about mutual consideration and awareness, we draw attention to it through posters throughout the store," explains Peter Gschiel, BILLA Sales Director for the Styria and Southern Burgenland region.
"Our top priority is to ensure that all our customers feel welcome and comfortable. Of course, this also applies to people who need a quieter environment while shopping, such as people on the autism spectrum. With the introduction of 'silent hour', which we also offer in one store each in Vienna, Burgenland and Upper Austria in addition to Graz, we are breaking down barriers and thereby creating an inclusive shopping ambience. In cooperation with local social clubs, we plan to introduce this concept in other cities and communities in Austria," says Sandra Edelmann, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at REWE Group.
During the "silent hour" from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., there will be no music or announcements throughout the store. The employees in Theodor-Körner-Strasse have been specially trained in dealing with people with autism and are sensitized accordingly. Assistance dogs are of course welcome in all stores throughout Austria. "With the 'Silent Hour', we want to offer people with autism a pleasant and stress-free shopping opportunity and thereby promote their participation in social life. Since this hour is also about mutual consideration and awareness, we draw attention to it through posters throughout the store," explains Peter Gschiel, BILLA Sales Director for the Styria and Southern Burgenland region.
"Our top priority is to ensure that all our customers feel welcome and comfortable. Of course, this also applies to people who need a quieter environment while shopping, such as people on the autism spectrum. With the introduction of 'silent hour', which we also offer in one store each in Vienna, Burgenland and Upper Austria in addition to Graz, we are breaking down barriers and thereby creating an inclusive shopping ambience. In cooperation with local social clubs, we plan to introduce this concept in other cities and communities in Austria," says Sandra Edelmann, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at REWE Group.
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