Billa starts quiet hour for autistic people in 19 markets - simple purchases!

Billa starts quiet hour for autistic people in 19 markets - simple purchases!

Goldeggasse 19, 1040 Wien, Österreich - On April 2, the World Autism Day, Billa launched an important project: the introduction of the "silent hour" in 19 markets in Austria. This concept aims to reduce acoustic and visual stimuli in order to make shopping for people with autism more pleasant. vienna.at reports that the program was originally started in Goldeggasse in Vienna in 2021 and has been extended to several locations since 2022.

The new markets include Pilotengasse 76 and Thaliastraße 154a in Vienna and Doctor-Gmmschmetor-Straße 16 in Krems. In May 2025, Billa plans to add ten additional markets in Upper Austria. Other locations in other federal states are also being planned. There are special adjustments during the "quiet hour": there are no radio and advertising circuits, market announcements are exposed to, and the delicatessen are placed on the counter to minimize personal contact.

training of the team and adjustments in the shopping experience

The teams in the Billa markets were specially trained to respond to the needs of autistic customers. The health insurance staff was encouraged to adapt the pace so that customers have enough time to shop. In addition, free, disinfected sunglasses are available for light -sensitive people to further improve their shopping experience.

The "Silent Hour" takes place from Monday to Saturday afternoon, whereby the times are individually adapted to the respective location. The exact list of participating markets with their specific times is comprehensive and extends over various federal states, including Vienna, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Carinthia and Styria. In Goldeggasse, for example, the quiet hour is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., while an earlier period is offered in Pilotengasse from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Inclusion in retail

The commitment of Billa in this area reflects a broader social movement. Inclusion is becoming increasingly important and retail plays a crucial role. Projects such as the "Silent Hour" not only promote the participation of people with autism, but also the general accessibility in the market. Edeka introduced similar concepts to facilitate people with disabilities and create an optimal shopping experience for all customers.

In many markets, structural measures are implemented to improve access for wheelchair users: to improve inside, and training in sign language are also part of the offer to make it easier for the deaf: inside. These efforts are an important step towards a more inclusive society that offers everyone the same opportunities.

The program of the "quiet hour" of Billa is therefore not only an important contribution to improving the shopping experience for people with autism, but also a valuable step towards promoting inclusion and accessibility in retail.