Montana Walmart’s are Implementing a New Store Policy on Nov 10

Walmart stores across the US will be quietly kicking off a new shopping experience on Friday, November 10th. It's aimed at making their stores more comfortable for those with sensory issues like autism, ADHD, and PTSD. The sensory-friendly hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily beginning Friday, November 10. 

Less lights, less sound.

If you recall, Walmart experimented with the idea during the back-to-school shopping season. According to a post on the company website, the Saturday morning hours with dimmer lights, no "Walmart Radio" blasting from overhead speakers, and static images on the big Wal-O-TV's instead of a hundred different images, was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Not just from shoppers, but from store employees and Walmart corporate bigwigs too, many sharing they have a family member with sensory overload issues and how much seemingly little changes like this can make a big difference. One exec said,

During these hours, we hope our customers and associates will find the stores to be a little easier on the eyes and ears.

Another bonus? It will be less stressful for everyone.

If you dread going to Walmart, 8 to 10 a.m. has always been the best time to go to avoid crowds. Now it sounds like an even better time of day to shop. There are fourteen Walmart Supercenters (and two Sam's Clubs) in Montana, employing over 5,000 people at an average wage of $19.79 per hour.

Axios notes that sensory-friendly days or times are becoming more mainstream, with many museums, zoos, and other places adopting these practices in recent years. Sensory overload reductions at America's largest retailer sounds like a great idea to us, especially as we head into a stressful holiday season.