WALMART Canada is trying to create a more inclusive shopping experience by introducing sensory hours in stores across the country.
Since the policy was introduced earlier this month, stores across Canada have been implementing the initiative.
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The policy aims to create a calmer atmosphere for shoppers who may experience sensory overload by removing music, radio ads and in-store advertisements.
Walmart hopes to have minimal noise in the store during sensory hours to make the environment less stimulating.
In-store announcements will only be made in emergencies and exposed TVs will only display static, low-sensory images.
Walmart Canada announced this policy in a Press release on July 8th.
According to the release, all 403 stores across the country will offer these sensory hours from the chain’s opening until 10am.
This happens every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday whenever possible.
The Westbrook Walmart – in southeastern Ontario – announced in a publish on Facebook yesterday, July 25th, that sensory hours had started on the network.
From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., shoppers will have a “smoother shopping experience,” according to the post.
“Music and ads are off, ads are paused except emergencies, TV walls display static images.”
The post is accompanied by a video of two employees, one covering his ears and the other putting his finger to his lips, to indicate that quieter times have arrived at his store.
Approximately 33% of people experience sensitivity or sensory overload, and this can be related to more than 25 diagnoses, according to Sensory Friendly Solutions.
Walmart Canada’s press release cites this study and says that “this is a very important step we are taking to create a more inviting and positive shopping experience for customers experiencing sensory overload and their families.”
Customers in Canada praised the initiative, saying it can make people feel more comfortable when shopping.
“When I found out about sensory hours at Walmart, I was amazed that something like this would start,” said Walmart customer Amber Fraser.
Fraser suffered a traumatic brain injury and explained that these sensory hours allow her to shop for longer.
“It’s wonderful; I’ve never heard of anything like it, so I think it’s extremely thoughtful,” she said.
Sensory schedule
Walmart stores in the US first introduced sensory hours in November 2023, and Walmart Canada followed suit, introducing the same policy in July 2024.
Changes Walmart stores have implemented during sensory hours include:
- Minimal sounds: No music or radio ads will be played and store ads will be paused unless it is an emergency.
- Calmer visuals: Only static, low-sensory images will be used on TV walls.
Although this announcement was received positively, it is uncertain whether the initiative is here to stay.
The US Sun reached out to Walmart to ask how long the policy will remain in stores across Canada.
US Walmarts first introduced the same sensory hours last year in November 2023.
They announced that starting November 10th, all Walmart stores in the US and Puerto Rico would offer sensory hours from 8am to 10am every day of the week.
The chain still appears to have this policy in some stores, but it’s not clear if it still happens in all of them.
“8am to 10am is so calming that it always feels like all hell breaks loose when the music comes back on at 10:01am,” said a Walmart cashier at X.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
