+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Starting today, your local Walmart will look slightly different inside during the mornings

Nov 10, 2023, 16:17 IST
Business Insider
During the sensory-friendly shopping hours, Walmart's TVs are set to silent and display a message about the store creating a "calmer shopping environment.”Grace Mayer/Insider
  • Starting November 10, Walmart will have "sensory-friendly" hours between 8 and 10 a.m. at its stores.
  • During that time, US Walmarts will dim the overhead lights and turn off the music.
Advertisement

Starting today, your local Walmart will look slightly different inside during the mornings. Your local location will now start off the day a little quieter and less bright.

Back by popular demand, Walmart announced earlier this week that "sensory-friendly hours" are now a permanent fixture at all locations in the US and Puerto Rico. Sensory-friendly hours were first given a test run during back-to-school season. And after "overwhelmingly positive" reception, sensory-friendly hours will now be a daily occurrence.

During that period of the morning, stores will dim some of the lights in the store, turn off the music, and have screens on the TV wall play a "static image," according to Walmart. Starting today, November 10, sensory-friendly hours will occur every day from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Sensory-friendly hours appear to be here to stay, as Walmart says there is "no planned end date."

Walmart's sensory-friendly shopping hours, shown here during the back-to-school season are supposed to create a calmer atmosphere in stores.Grace Mayer/Insider

Walmart says many customers loved the changes and asked the company to keep the sensor-friendly hours. Much of the feedback seems to have come from parents of children with autism.

Things like bright lights, loud music, and big crowds can cause sensory overload. People with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience sensory overload.

Advertisement

Sensory overload can be very physically and emotionally distressing for the person experiencing it, experts previously told Insider. It can cause irritability, trouble focusing, a racing heart, exhaustion, and a strong desire to escape whatever situation the person is in.

Though people with certain conditions may be the main target of sensory-friendly hours, anyone is welcome to shop. If you normally find that Walmart is a little too chaotic for your liking, you might want to try an early-morning run.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article