Walmart Canada is joining the list of prominent retailers launching sensory-friendly hours.

All 403 Walmart stores in Canada will now offer sensory-friendly hours from store opening until 10 a.m. local time every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, where possible. During these designated hours, the goal is to create a calmer experience by eliminating or reducing potential sensory stimuli. There will be minimal sounds, with no music or radio advertisements, and announcements and paging paused except for emergencies. In addition, only static, low-sensory images will be used on TV walls.

The company says that the new initiative is part of its commitment to create a more inclusive shopping experience for all.

“This is such an important step we’re taking to create a more inviting and positive shopping experience for customers who experience sensory overload and their families,” said Joe Schrauder, head of store operations for Walmart Canada. “We want our stores to be a place where all customers and associates feel they belong.”

The initiative is in part informed by Sensory Friendly Solutions’ insights that approximately 33% of people experience sensory sensitivity or overload, with more than 25 diagnoses or differences contributing to it.

Walmart’s move follows several years after Empire rolled out sensory-friendly shopping in 2019 to its 450 Safeway, IGA, Thrifty Foods, Foodland and FreshCo banners across Canada.

(photo credit: Caddle)

Walmart wraps POS reviews signage innovation, Square One Mississauga

The retailer recently tested a SmartShelf Platform innovation at its Square One Walmart Supercentre in Mississauga, which it says is part of its ongoing efforts to deliver on the future of retail.

The patent-pending, Walmart-created hardware and software features an LCD screen at shelf, connecting physical and digital shopping so customers could see ratings and reviews for products and experience greater visibility for promotions and discounts.

The tech also allows for automation and streamlining for associate tasks like price changes, modular changes and stocking.

Walmart told strategy it has electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in approximately 11 departments in more than 340 Canadian stores and that it “expect to have these labels in all stores by year-end.”