What: Selfridges has committed to making the shopping experience for autistic consumers more enjoyable with the launch of a ‘quiet' shopping hour in all its branches that will run once a week from 10 am until 11 am on Wednesdays.

Why it is important: The initiative was announced during Neurodiversity week to cater to various customers with specific needs.

Modern stores can be noisy environments with loud music and strong lighting, as well as large crowds of shoppers. This can be an extremely uncomfortable experience for anyone with autism and the introduction of quiet periods has become much more common in recent years in British shops and offices.

Selfridges adds 'quiet hour' for an inclusive shopping experience