What’s the deal with Walmart’s new sensory-friendly hours?
Walmart customers who experience sensory overload while shopping now have their own sensory-friendly hours, according to an official press release.
Sensory-friendly hours launched on July 22, 2023, and will run through August. Most of Walmart’s stores will offer “sensory-friendly shopping hours” every Saturday during this period from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. — and TikTokers are thrilled by this new initiative.
According to Supermarket News, during those sensory-friendly hours, Walmart stores nationwide will replace moving pictures on screens with static images, and a number of locations will turn off music and lower overhead lights to create an environment more friendly to those with autism and other disabilities.
TikTok user @ellenwitharthritis gained over 1.3 million views, 215,000 likes, 12,000 saves and 2,300 comments when she shared her local Walmart’s new sign regarding the sensory-friendly hours.
Viewers took to the comment section to express their support of this new sensory-friendly initiative.
“Will this be everywhere? This is a dream omg 😭” wrote @caradet0rtilla.
“I went this past Saturday at that time and it was lovely,” commented @kelsdell.
“i work at walmart and it is true. it’s really nice and very calming. it makes a difference, just wish they did it everyday,” added @baexthoven.
Walmart’s sensory-friendly announcement
In a back-to-school press release Walmart made a commitment to “creating a more inclusive shopping experience.”
“We are striving every day to create a culture where everyone feels they belong,” the statement reads. “This year, Walmart is taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that’s more enjoyable for customers who live with sensory disabilities.”
The statement continues: “Our sensory-friendly hours will take place Saturdays in July and throughout August from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in most stores. For areas that start school after Labor Day, sensory-friendly hours will begin July 22.”
In a Twitter statement, Walmart announced, “We’re working hard to create a working and shopping experience accessible to everyone, and we remain committed to continuous improvement.”
We’re proud that for the eighth consecutive year, we've achieved a perfect score on the Disability Equality Index. We're working hard to create a working and shopping experience accessible to everyone, and we remain committed to continuous improvement. https://t.co/ZtBTyyMiB6 pic.twitter.com/l3phzspCbu
— Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) July 12, 2023
What is sensory overload?
According to WebMD, sensory overload is when your five senses — sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste — take in more information than your brain can process. “When your brain is overwhelmed by this input, it enters fight, flight or freeze mode in response to what feels like a crisis, making you feel unsafe or even panicky.”
WebMD goes on to explain that sensory overload can be triggered by a wide variety of situations, sounds or sights. “Each person may be overwhelmed by something different.”
Some examples of situations that can trigger sensory overload include:
Loud noises or music
Crowded spaces
Emotionally intense people or groups
Drastic environmental changes (temperature, light, etc.)
Unexpected or unwanted physical contact (hugs, etc.)
Heavy traffic
Tactile triggers (scratchy or uncomfortable clothing, etc.)
Intense smells
Medical News Today states that though sensory overload can affect anyone, it commonly occurs in autistic people and those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sensory processing disorder and certain other conditions.
Other stores that offer sensory-friendly hours
According to Axios, Walmart isn’t the only store offering sensory-friendly hours.
AMC Theatres offers a regular schedule of sensory-friendly films in partnership with the Autism Society, during which the lights are turned up and the sound down.
Chuck E. Cheese holds “Sensory Sensitive Sundays,” with early openings plus a quieter environment, dimmed lighting and a specially-trained staff.
Canadian grocery store Save-On-Foods also offers customers sensory-friendly shopping hours, according to TikToker @thehypeduphealing.
“As someone who works in the mental health & disability field and as someone who gets anxious in stores, this is incredible #progress #sensoryfriendly,” the video caption reads.
“I dread grocery shopping every week. It takes all energy out of me and all the lights, talking, music, happening all at once gives me anxiety attacks,” commented @princeofbeans.
“as a former grocery store worker my favorite shifts were ones when the sound system broke and when I got to be in an aisle with broken lights,” wrote @posydoodle.
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