BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Morning shoppers can expect to see some subtle changes at Walmart stores starting Friday.
The retail giant announced it would restore sensory-friendly shopping hours to 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily at stores nationwide.
With this move, Walmart aims to create a less stimulating and more inclusive shopping environment for people with sensory disabilities.
The company maintained similar business hours during the back-to-school season and made small adjustments, such as replacing TV walls with static images, turning off overhead radios and dimming lights where possible.
“Several employees have expressed a desire to continue this program year-round,” Walmart store manager Tyler Morgan said in a statement. “We have employees with autism and ADHD, and one employee commented that this was the first time the company had done something for her.”
“I hope this program continues because I think it can bring a little calm to everyone during a stressful holiday season,” Morgan added.
Walmart said there is no scheduled end date for the program and that it welcomes feedback on how it will continue to enhance sensory-friendly measures in its stores.