Walmart has announced that it will be adding more than 100 Mamava lactation suites to locations across the US in a bid to make the shopping experience a little easier and more enjoyable for moms. The free-standing suites will provide moms with a private area to breastfeed their child or pump milk and can be accessed via the accompanying smartphone app. Moms can even customize the lighting, airflow and music to suit their needs; the pods will be available for free use to let moms feel more supported when heading out to do some in-store shopping.
Mamava CEO and Co-Founder Sascha Mayer spoke on the arrival of the lactation suites to Walmart stores saying, "We started Mamava to ensure that every breastfeeding mother could choose whether or not to breastfeed, so we set out to remove all barriers to making that choice. Walmart’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding associates and community members with Mamava pods is a huge leap forward for inclusivity and normalizing breastfeeding culture."
Customizable Retail Lactation Suites
Walmart is Adding More Than 100 Mamava Suites to Stores
Trend Themes
1. Retail Lactation Suites - There is an opportunity for other retailers to offer similar services and amenities to accommodate nursing mothers and improve their shopping experience.
2. Customizable Pods - The customization feature of the Mamava lactation suites presents an opportunity for businesses that offer similar services and amenities to create customizable options for their clients to better meet their needs.
3. Breastfeeding Support - The move towards supporting breastfeeding mothers by offering dedicated spaces and amenities is a growing trend in the retail industry and presents an opportunity for businesses to prioritize the needs of nursing mothers.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can improve the shopping experience of nursing mothers by offering dedicated lactation suites and other breastfeeding support services and amenities.
2. Hospitality - Hotels and other hospitality businesses can improve customer experience by offering lactation suites and other amenities for nursing mothers to help them feel more at ease and comfortable.
3. Office - Offices can create lactation suites or other support services to help nursing mothers feel more comfortable and welcome in the workspace, which can help with employee retention and satisfaction.