Retail giant Walmart will expand its sensory-friendly store hours following the success of a pilot program centered around the experience of shoppers with sensory disabilities.
Starting November 10, Walmart will offer sensory-friendly hours from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day at all stores nationwide. This program is expected to continue indefinitely.
A Walmart news release said feedback on the pilot program was “overwhelmingly positive” during the year-long experiment.
“We hope that our customers and employees feel our stores are a little easier on the eyes and ears during these hours,” the news release said. “These changes are thanks to people sharing their feedback on how their store helps them feel like they belong.”
Which stores offer hands-on sales?
Walmart isn’t the only store with sensory-friendly hours. AMC Theaters has a schedule of sensory-friendly movies.
The Autism Society of Southern Arizona maintains a list of local sensory-friendly activities.
When are Walmart’s sensory-friendly hours?
Walmart has announced that it will designate sensory-friendly hours from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day.
What does “sensory friendly” mean?
As more companies choose to make their customer bases more inclusive, companies like Walmart are beginning to reevaluate how their physical stores can be more accessible to people with diverse needs.
Sensory-friendly spaces are intended to accommodate people who have difficulty processing information that comes from their senses. This is called sensory processing disorder (SPD). According to the STAR Institute, she is one in at least 20 people in the United States who may have SPD.
What time does Walmart open?
Walmart stores typically open at 6 a.m. However, store service hours vary.
You can find your local store hours by using the store locator tool on the Walmart website or by visiting the online store directory.
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What time does Walmart close?
Walmart stores typically close at 11 p.m. However, store services may close at various times.
You can find your local store hours by using the store locator tool on the Walmart website or by visiting the online store directory.
Have a question you’d like answered? Contact the reporter at rromeroruiz@gannett.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter). @raphaeldelag.