Carrefour launches an international competition to give impetus to its commitment to welcoming people with disabilities in its stores

Carrefour has kicked off its international “Disability Innovation Challenge" in partnership with Viva Technology. The aim is to single out the most innovative companies when it comes to inclusivity and disability – in terms of customer itineraries in their stores or on their websites, or the ease with which its products and services can be accessed.

Carrefour has made disability a key component of its Carrefour 2026 strategic plan. Indeed, the retailer wants to bolster inclusivity for people with disabilities in its bricks-and-mortar stores, as well as in their use of its apps and websites through its services and range of products. To help it achieve this aim, Carrefour has just announced the launch of an international Disability Innovation Challenge. This will run until 19 May under the responsibility of Geneviève Darrieussecq, Junior minister with France’s Ministry for Inclusivity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities, responsible for people with disabilities.

Companies from all over the world interested in showcasing their innovations designed to promote a more inclusive society will be able to register on a dedicated website. They will then be shortlisted by a panel made up of people committed to ensuring inclusivity for people with disabilities and will get to take part in the final at the Viva Technology event on 14 June.

Chaired by Carine Kraus, the Carrefour Group’s Executive Director of Engagement, the panel will be made up of:

• Elodie Perthuisot, the Carrefour Group’s Director of E-Commerce and digital transformation,
• Rami Baitiéh, Executive Director of Carrefour France
• Guy Tisserant, Deputy treasurer of the Fédération Française Handisport
• Yves Puget, Managing editor of LSA magazine
• Arnaud Assoumani, Paralympian and multi-medallist, member of Team Carrefour

After the challenge, three innovations will be tested in a number of Carrefour stores. Their innovations will also be promoted on the retailer’s social networks to help raise their profile among the general public.

The panel will select a winner in each of the following three categories:

• 1: making it easier for those of our customers with disabilities to pay for their shopping
• 2: making it easier for them to work their way through our stores, and to do so with more peace of mind
• 3: selling products (food and non-food) suitable for the specific requirements of customers with disabilities.

These innovations will be assessed against three criteria:

• The customer experience, namely the innovation’s ability to address one of the three issues above,
• The “turnkey” aspect: can the innovation be quickly and easily implemented in stores between now and the end of the year?
• The adaptability of all our stores so that deployment of the innovation can be scaled up – regardless of how large or small the sales outlet is.

Key dates to remember:

Phase 1: Applications to be submitted via the dedicated website between now and 19 May 2023

Phase 2: Applications will be shortlisted between 20 May and 2 June 2023

Phase 3: Shortlisted entrepreneurs will deliver their pitch and the three winners will be revealed on 14 June 2023 at the Viva Technology event

Carine Kraus, the Carrefour Group’s Executive Director of Engagement said:Disability is the leading cause that we are supporting in the 2026 Carrefour Strategic Plan, so we want to make our stores more inclusive. We know that the world of start-ups and digital is brimming with innovations to do with inclusivity, so we want to enable the most innovative companies to have their products tested and then deployed to our stores. That way, we can improve the shopping experience for those of our customers who have disabilities.