Wearing a red cap means 'do not disturb'

Staff at the Leeds headquarters of the Asda supermarket chain have been issued with baseball caps, which confer on the wearer the privilege of not being spoken to for up to two hours.

If any of the 1,000 employees feels under pressure, or unable to concentrate on whatever task is in hand, he or she merely dons the bright red cap with its green letter A on the front as a 'do not disturb' signal. Colleagues must then refrain from talking to the wearer, and must answer the telephone and must take all messages.

Asda's scheme is the brainchild of the unconventional Archie Norman, chief executive of Britain's fourth largest supermarket chain and a man already known for introducing eccentricity into the serious business of retailing.

He has launched weekly 'listening groups' in each of his 200 stores, at which customers meet staff to air complaints as well as a monthly competition for all 65,000 staff who are invited to select a product from the shelves and show how they would promote it. The winner enjoys the use of a Jaguar car for four weeks.