IKEA introduces “Quiet Hours” for neurodivergent people, without music and noise reduced to a minimum

IKEA Italy has introduced a new inclusive initiative to make its stores more accessible: le Quiet Hours. This project, designed to offer a serene and comfortable environment for neurodivergent peoplewas tested in a pilot phase in some stores and is now active in all 22 stores across the country.

Thanks to the collaboration with the ANGSA Lazio and Lombardy associations, IKEA was able to implement specific measures to facilitate access for people with sensory sensitivityespecially those who are sensitive to loud noises and intense visual stimuli.

The Quiet Hours Yes they take place every Wednesdayin the last three hours of opening of the IKEA stores, during which they come noise and distractions are kept to a minimum. Music and voice announcements are suspended, as is the use of noisy machinery. The goal is to create an environment calmer and more welcoming for those who find it difficult to manage intense sensory stimuli, like many autistic people or with other forms of neurodivergence.

There will also be completely silent Relaxation Rooms

In addition to this novelty, IKEA has set up a Relaxation room in each store, a special area where customers can enjoy a peaceful break. During Quiet Hours, these rooms they are completely silentwithout announcements or music, in order to offer a moment of serenity to those who need it. The goal is to guarantee a safe space free from stressful stimuli to allow everyone to relax.

This initiative is part of a broader context, aimed at improving the shopping experience and responding to the needs of a diversified clientele. With this choice, IKEA tries to approach its visitors in an empathetic way, making its spaces physical places of inclusion and well-being for all and helping people feel comfortable, like at home.

The introduction of Quiet Hours responds to a growing attention towards inclusion and accessibility, in a sector, that of retail, which is evolving to meet the different needs of customers. In an era in which the shopping experience becomes a central element, taking care of your customers also means listen and respond to their specific needs.