Half of the employees at nahkauf aqb's inclusive stores (south-west region) are people with disabilities or impairments. The tenth store has now opened.
Ten nahkauf stores, operating as independent retailers since 2007, over a hundred employees, over 50 per cent of whom have a disability or impairment: That is the impressive track record of nahkauf aqb. The abbreviation stands for "Arbeit und Qualifizierung für Menschen mit Behinderung GmbH" (work and qualification for people with disabilities). The name says it all, explains Mark Neugebauer, nahkauf aqb division manager: "The secret of our success is the professionally inclusive approach to working in our stores. Regardless of whether they have a disability or not, our employees are deployed in all store areas according to their abilities."
aqb is also a training organisation and offers various internships to get you started. The company works together with various social organisations, such as the AWO workers' welfare association. One focus is on employees with mental disabilities, but colleagues with sensory impairments or physical disabilities also work at aqb. "Every person with and without disabilities is valuable and can make an important contribution to our company. In return, we offer good and fair pay," explains aqb Managing Director Matthias Bäcker. Social skills, empathy, equal opportunities and no fear of contact with people with disabilities - these are the cornerstones for everyone who wants to work at nahkauf aqb.
And the economic success proves the concept to be legal: with ten nahkauf stores in the REWE Southwest region, the company now generates eight-figure revenues. The stores are characterised by the fact that they are closely geared to the needs of customers: The sales areas are between 400 and 800 square metres and the product ranges are tailored to the respective locality; some aqb stores also offer services such as a salad bar, DHL packing station or pre-checkout bakery.
The concept is convincing: store number ten opened at the end of February in Oberflockenbach, a district of Weinheim. The 650 square metre store not only aims to be an inclusive employer, but also a social meeting place for the local people and a supplier for the people in the surrounding villages.
More inclusive nahkauf stores
It is not only in the south-west region with its nahkauf aqb stores that nahkauf is involved in inclusive store co-operations. Among others, the South region works together with Bonus, and in the West there are inclusive nahkauf stores with Zug um Zug Rheinkauf. In the north, nahkauf Osna Integ is located in Hasbergen-Gaste. One exemplary individual commitment is the retailer Richard Maul from Hamelin (North region), who was honoured with the "Golden Rat" award in 2016 for his commitment to inclusion. The list is certainly not exhaustive, so the editorial team would be delighted to receive further examples of Nahkauf's commitment.
