Walmart to Implement Daily Sensory-Friendly Hours Nationwide Starting November 10

Walmart extends sensory-friendly hours to everyday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. following positive feedback from the pilot program, catering to customers and employees with sensory disabilities such as autism and ADHD.

Walmart is permanently implementing daily sensory-friendly hours at all its stores in the U.S and Puerto Rico, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time, starting November 10. The decision to implement this program permanently follows a successful pilot during the back-to-school shopping season.
During the sensory-friendly hours, Walmart intends to create a less stimulating environment: there will be no in-store radio, lights will be dimmed where possible, and television sets will hold a static image. These changes aim at making both customers and employees with sensory disabilities, such as autism and ADHD, more comfortable.
The feedback for this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive from both customers and employees. Some employees have expressed that it makes a significant difference to have their specific sensory needs recognized and catered to by their employer.
The sensory-friendly initiative is part of Walmart's broader attempt to foster inclusivity. The initiative modifies store environments to better support neurodiverse individuals by reducing sensory overload. The measure is seen as a continuation of pandemic-era changes, where specific hours were set aside for senior and vulnerable shoppers.
Other major retailers and brands are also prioritizing inclusivity. AMC Theatres and Chuck E. Cheese have both implemented sensory-friendly experiences, and Victoria's Secret recently introduced intimate apparel designed to meet the needs of women with disabilities.