Tired of shopping trips accompanied by blaring music and an array of bright lights? Walmart is listening to customers with sensory sensitivities by announcing new quiet shopping hours to make back-to-school shopping more bearable for a larger range of customers.
The sensory-friendly shopping hours will begin in July and go through August on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in areas that start school before Labor Day. For Walmarts located in school districts that begin after Labor Day, these quiet hours will start July 22nd.
During Walmart’s quiet hours, radios will be silenced and screens playing videos will be switched to stationary images. Walmart will also dim store lights to provide a “quieter and less stimulating shopping trip.”
“We are striving every day to create a culture where everyone feels they belong. This year, Walmart is taking steps toward creating a quieter shopping environment that’s more enjoyable for customers who live with sensory disabilities,” said Julie Barber, Walmart’s Executive Vice President of General Merchandise.
If you’d prefer to skip out on the in-person shopping experience entirely, you can sign up for Walmart+. From there, you can make your selections online and either pick up at the store or have your items delivered. Walmart+ will offer individualized school shopping lists by school districts and even individual teachers. Just type in your school’s name along with the city, state, and zip code to find the supply list.
Teachers will also be able to create online wish lists for customers to add to their carts to help reduce the costs placed upon educators to fill their classrooms.
Walmart+ costs $12.95 after a 30-day free trial. A membership gives you special perks such as free delivery, free shipping, and discounts on fuel. Members can also earn Walmart Rewards to put towards future purchases. A subscription to Paramount+ and Pluto TV is also included.