A comprehensive and steadily growing employment model of a leading food retail company

Kaufland Romania hires workers with disabilities via the ACCES model. By 2024, 450+ staff with disabilities joined the workforce, with inclusive tools in stores and an expansion to Moldova.

Kaufland Romania, a branch of the German-based European retail company and sister company to Lidl grocery stores, operates 180 stores and two logistics centres in Romania. Since 2019 it has implemented the A.C.C.E.S. hiring model across all units, focusing on inclusive recruitment, workplace adaptations, partnerships with DPOs, and digital accessibility. The programme includes adaptive trolleys, inclusive cash-counters, and communication tools for those with hearing impairments. By mid-2024 more than 450 people with disabilities were among its 14,350 employees; it had 500 open positions for people with disabilities; and it had expanded the A.C.C.E.S. model to stores in Moldova.

Problems Targeted

There is a lack of employment opportunities and workplace accessibility for persons with disabilities in Romania.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Kaufland Romania’s A.C.C.E.S. programme, introduced in 2019, promotes an inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities, ensuring equal gross salary with a tax reduction as per Romanian law and three additional leave days. To make recruitment more accessible, the programme partners with disability organizations, allowing candidates from urban and rural areas to access job opportunities. Workspaces are adapted to accommodate employees with various disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible checkout counters, 100 stores equipped with adaptive trolleys, and tools such as Voices for Hands to support communication with hearing-impaired staff. Kaufland’s digital tools and online platforms are likewise accessible. Additionally, Kaufland Romania partners with public and private entities to host hackathons, encouraging diverse teams to create technical solutions for greater accessibility and to provide support for employees with disabilities. In May 2024, Kaufland organized a large awareness event dedicated to the integration of people with disabilities into society, hosted at the Museum of Immersive New Art in Bucharest.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The programme is funded from the budget of each department involved. Kaufland Romania is currently offering 500 positions to people with disabilities and expanding the A.C.C.E.S. model to its Moldovan stores. (Zero Project Awardee 2025)

Pictures

In 2024, Kaufland Romania had more than 450 people with disabilities among its 14,350 employees.

In 2024, Kaufland Romania had more than 450 people with disabilities among its 14,350 employees.

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