Carrefour Egypt stores will offer sign language interpretation

Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Egypt, has partnered with Merge to launch simultaneous sign language interpretation in its stores. Merge is an IT company that specialises in providing technology solutions for people with disabilities.

The launch is through ‘Merge-Interpreter Sign Language’ platform for those with hearing impairments. Carrefour is introducing this free-of-charge at five of its stores, as the first retailer in the market to provide a service for customers with hearing disabilities.

‘Merge-Interpreter Sign Language’ platform provides customers with access to sign language interpretation to help build a more integrated community across Carrefour’s supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Tablets will be installed within Carrefour stores, where customers can scan the QR codes to access video calls with Merge certified sign language interpreters for inquiries regarding prices and promotions.

This partnership aims to provide equal opportunities for the development of society. Philippe Peguilhan, country manager of Majid Al Futtaim Retail in Egypt said, “By partnering with Merge, we can continue to deliver convenient, seamless shopping experiences that ensure an inclusive environment for all. The partnership is also a testament to Carrefour’s contribution towards the communities in which it operates, constantly identifying new and innovative ways to enhance its offerings and drive positive change within the society.”

Ramy Qaddoumi, founder and CEO of Merge Technology, said, “Launching  this service is an integral part of our strategy, which aims to support the needs of those with hearing impairments in the community and will be instrumental in achieving our goal of supporting those with special needs in every area of life. Shoppers can easily use a QR code inside Carrefour for video calls with sign language interpreters at the Merge call center, to help them to communicate in sign language with all Carrefour employees to meet their requirements effectively.”

In October 2021, Carrefour France also announced an initiative to teach its in-store employees French sign language to help customers with hearing impairements. The group’s CEO Alexandre Bompard stated that “Diversity, inclusion and attention to people with disabilities are at the heart of Carrefour’s DNA. By 2022, each store must have at least one employee trained by the Regional Association for the Integration of the Deaf.

He confirmed that around 85,000 Carrefour employees in the French multinational retail will be encouraged to learn ten words in sign language selected by the distributor. These include “hello”, “goodbye”, “yes”, “thank you”, “welcome to Carrefour”, “please”, “Follow me”, “everything is fine?”, “Loyalty card” and “receipt”.