Walmart is transforming the retail experience for shoppers with sensory sensitivities. All US stores will now have designated quiet hours with dimmed lights and no music.
Starting November 10, Walmart will offer sensory-friendly hours from 8-10 AM. Stores will adjust lighting, turn off radios, and change TVs to static images to create a calmer setting. Other retailers like Target are also creating more sensory-inclusive experiences.
Catch up: The initiative follows a limited pilot over the summer, eliciting highly positive feedback, prompting the expansion to daily mornings chainwide.
“Earlier this year, we took a step in making shopping in our stores more inclusive for those with sensory disabilities by taking measures to create a less stimulating environment for a couple hours each Saturday. During the back-to-school season, we changed the TV walls to a static image, turned off the radio and lowered the lights where possible…Our biggest piece of feedback? Keep it going!” —Walmart
Why It Matters
Providing a low-stimulus shopping environment allows neurodiverse individuals to participate and feel welcomed.
1 big idea: When businesses prioritize inclusion, everyone benefits. Solutions that address diverse needs build stronger communities.
“As a mother of a child with autism, thank you very much for recognizing needs and being sensitive to them. Little things such as lighting, noise, etc. do make a difference.” —Andrea T., Walmart customer
The big picture
Retailers are catching on with sensory-friendly programming increasingly common at venues like museums and theaters.
What’s next: The changes are just at Walmart stores, not Sam’s Club. However, the concept may spread as shoppers and employees benefit.
The takeaway: Simple adjustments creating a less overwhelming space can make a difference for those managing sensory processing disorders.
