Walmart offers sensory-friendly shopping hours on Saturday mornings
Those who are sensitive to bright light will have their own time and day to shop from Saturday 22 July.
Walmart announced that most of its stores will offer “sensory shopping hours”[ads1]; every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. through August.
In a Back-to-School press release, the retail company said it will dim the lights to better serve sensory-sensitive customers. During the two-hour period, most stores will turn off their radios and display static images on television sets.
The homes are intended to improve the shopping experience for autistic people, those with sensory processing detection and other sensory differences, the release states.
“We strive every day to create a culture where everyone feels like they belong,” the company said. “This year, Walmart is taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that is more enjoyable for customers living with sensory disabilities.”
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The release did not clarify whether the accommodations will continue for those communities after August.
USA TODAY has reached out to Walmart for comment.
Other establishments offer accommodations for these groups, including AMC Theaters, which regularly offers sensory-friendly screenings, and Chuck E. Cheese, which holds “Sensory Sensitive Sundays” with early openings, quieter settings, and dimmed lighting.
Walmart received a perfect Disability Equality Index score for the eighth consecutive year, the company shared earlier this month.
“We work hard to create a work and shopping experience that is accessible to everyone, and we remain committed to continuous improvement,” the company said.
