To support more inclusive shopping experiences, Walmart Canada introduced dedicated sensory-friendly shopping hours across Canada. "Approximately 33% of people experience sensory sensitivity or overload, with more than 25 diagnoses or differences contributing to it," reports Sensory Friendly Solutions, "This means visual and auditory stimuli can be too intense to process, which can cause discomfort or frustration for customers as they shop."
Over 400 Walmart stores across Canada are now offering sensory-friendly hours where possible and during these designated times, the stores provide a calmer atmosphere with minimal sounds, no music or radio ads, and announcements and paging will be paused except in emergencies. Visually, only static, low-sensory images will be used on TV walls.
Sensory-Friendly Retail Hours
Walmart Canada's Sensory-Friendly Shopping Times Reduce Stimuli
Trend Themes
1. Accessible Shopping - Walmart Canada’s initiative showcases the growing trend of retailers creating more inclusive and comfortable shopping environments by reducing sensory stimuli.
2. Inclusive Retail Design - Retail spaces are increasingly being designed with the needs of neurodiverse individuals in mind, offering lower sensory environments for a better shopping experience.
3. Adaptive Consumer Services - There is a significant shift towards personalized and adaptive services that cater to the specific needs of individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers are implementing sensory-friendly options to make shopping more comfortable for customers with sensory sensitivities.
2. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can explore partnerships with retailers to support patients who have sensory processing disorders.
3. Consumer Electronics - Consumer electronics companies are poised to innovate by developing products that can assist or enhance sensory-friendly environments in various spaces.