Walmart Raises the Bar for Inclusive Shopping with Specialized Caroline';s Carts in Kentucky
Walmart has introduced Caroline's Carts in all its Kentucky stores, enhancing accessibility for customers with disabilities. This multimillion-dollar investment is part of Walmart's commitment to inclusivity. The carts, designed for caregivers of children and adults with disabilities, can hold 35-250 pounds. Walmart plans to equip all Supercenters with two carts and Neighborhood Markets with at least one, totaling about 8,000 carts nationwide by early 2025.
This initiative follows the successful introduction of sensory-friendly hours from 8am - 10am daily in all Walmart stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. These hours provide a calmer shopping environment by turning off the radio, setting TV monitors to a still screen, and dimming lights where possible.
Walmart ha introdotto Caroline's Carts in tutti i suoi negozi del Kentucky, migliorando l'accessibilità per i clienti con disabilità. Questo investimento multimilionario è parte dell'impegno di Walmart per l'inclusività. I carrelli, progettati per i caregiver di bambini e adulti con disabilità, possono contenere da 35 a 250 libbre. Walmart prevede di equipaggiare tutti i Supercenters con due carrelli e i Neighborhood Markets con almeno uno, per un totale di circa 8.000 carrelli a livello nazionale entro l'inizio del 2025.
Questa iniziativa segue l’introduzione di ore sensoriali amichevoli, attive ogni giorno dalle 8:00 alle 10:00 in tutti i negozi Walmart degli Stati Uniti e di Porto Rico. Queste ore offrono un ambiente di shopping più tranquillo spegnendo la radio, impostando i monitor TV su un'immagine fissa e abbassando le luci dove possibile.
Walmart ha introducido Caroline's Carts en todas sus tiendas de Kentucky, mejorando la accesibilidad para los clientes con discapacidades. Esta inversión multimillonaria es parte del compromiso de Walmart con la inclusión. Los carritos, diseñados para cuidadores de niños y adultos con discapacidades, pueden soportar entre 35 y 250 libras. Walmart planea equipar todos los Supercenters con dos carritos y los Neighborhood Markets con al menos uno, totalizando aproximadamente 8,000 carritos a nivel nacional para principios de 2025.
Esta iniciativa sigue a la exitosa introducción de horas sensoriales amigables, que se llevan a cabo todos los días de 8 a.m. a 10 a.m. en todas las tiendas Walmart de EE.UU. y Puerto Rico. Estas horas proporcionan un ambiente de compras más tranquilo al apagar la radio, configurar los monitores de TV en una imagen fija y atenuar las luces cuando sea posible.
월마트는 켄터키에 있는 모든 매장에 캐롤라인 카트를 도입하여 장애인을 위한 접근성을 향상시켰습니다. 이 수백만 달러 규모의 투자는 월마트의 포용성에 대한 약속의 일환입니다. 이 카트는 장애가 있는 아동과 성인을 돌보는 사람들을 위해 설계되었으며, 35-250파운드를 수용할 수 있습니다. 월마트는 모든 슈퍼센터에 두 대의 카트를, 이웃 마켓에 최소 한 대를 비치할 계획이며, 2025년 초까지 전국적으로 약 8,000대의 카트를 배치할 예정입니다.
이 이니셔티브는 미국과 푸에르토리코의 모든 월마트 매장에서 매일 오전 8시부터 10시까지 실시되는 감각 친화적 시간 도입에 이어 진행됩니다. 이 시간 동안은 라디오를 끄고, TV 모니터를 정지 화면으로 설정하며 가능한 경우 조명을 어두워진 상태로 유지하여 더 차분한 쇼핑 환경을 제공합니다.
Walmart a introduit Caroline's Carts dans tous ses magasins du Kentucky, améliorant l'accessibilité pour les clients handicapés. Cet investissement de plusieurs millions de dollars fait partie de l'engagement de Walmart en faveur de l'inclusivité. Les caddies, conçus pour les aidants de personnes handicapées, peuvent contenir de 35 à 250 livres. Walmart prévoit d'équiper tous les Supercenters de deux caddies et les Neighborhood Markets d'au moins un, pour un total d'environ 8 000 caddies à l'échelle nationale d'ici début 2025.
Cette initiative fait suite à l'introduction réussie d'heures adaptées aux sensibilités de 8h à 10h tous les jours dans tous les magasins Walmart aux États-Unis et à Porto Rico. Ces heures offrent un environnement d'achat plus calme en éteignant la radio, en réglant les écrans de télévision sur une image fixe et en abaissant les lumières lorsque cela est possible.
Walmart hat Caroline's Carts in allen seinen Geschäften in Kentucky eingeführt und die Zugänglichkeit für Kunden mit Behinderungen verbessert. Diese multimillionenschwere Investition ist Teil des Engagements von Walmart für Inklusivität. Die Wagen, die für Betreuer von Kindern und Erwachsenen mit Behinderungen konzipiert sind, können zwischen 35 und 250 Pfund tragen. Walmart plant, alle Supercenter mit zwei Wagen und die Neighborhood Markets mit mindestens einem auszustatten, insgesamt sollen bis Anfang 2025 etwa 8.000 Wagen landesweit verfügbar sein.
Diese Initiative folgt der erfolgreichen Einführung von sensorikfreundlichen Stunden von 8 bis 10 Uhr täglich in allen Walmart-Geschäften in den USA und Puerto Rico. Während dieser Stunden wird eine ruhigere Einkaufserfahrung geschaffen, indem das Radio ausgeschaltet, die Fernseher auf einen Standbildmodus umgeschaltet und die Lichter, wo möglich, gedimmt werden.
- Introduction of Caroline's Carts in all Kentucky stores, improving accessibility
- Nationwide rollout of approximately 8,000 Caroline's Carts by early 2025
- Successful implementation of daily sensory-friendly hours across all U.S. and Puerto Rico stores
- None.
Insights
Walmart's introduction of Caroline's Carts in Kentucky stores is a strategic move that aligns with growing consumer demand for inclusive shopping experiences. This initiative could potentially increase customer loyalty and expand Walmart's customer base, particularly among families with special needs members.
The nationwide rollout, involving 8,000 carts, represents a significant investment in customer experience. This, coupled with the extension of sensory-friendly hours, positions Walmart as a leader in retail accessibility. Such initiatives often translate to positive brand perception and can drive long-term customer retention, potentially offsetting the initial investment costs.
While the immediate financial impact may be minimal, the long-term benefits in terms of brand value and market differentiation could be substantial, potentially leading to increased foot traffic and sales from an often underserved demographic.
Walmart's implementation of Caroline's Carts is a significant step towards inclusive shopping. These carts address a important need for caregivers of individuals with disabilities, offering a practical solution to a common challenge faced by many families.
The wide weight capacity of 35-250 pounds ensures versatility, accommodating both children and adults. This inclusivity extends Walmart's reach to a broader customer base, potentially including elderly shoppers or those with temporary mobility issues.
Combined with the sensory-friendly hours, Walmart is creating a more accessible shopping environment. This comprehensive approach to accessibility could set a new industry standard, potentially influencing other retailers to follow suit. The initiative not only improves the shopping experience but also promotes social inclusion, which can have far-reaching positive impacts on community well-being.
The innovatively designed carts enhance in-store accessibility for customers needing additional support
Caroline’s Cart occupied by 10-year-old child giving a high-five to his mother in Walmart store. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Helping our customers save money and live better is more than our mission – it’s our driving force,” said Cedric Clark, executive vice president of store operations at Walmart. “Equipping our stores with Caroline’s Carts provides some relief to parents and caregivers who need this tool and know it’s available at their Walmart. Whether they’re caring for someone with a disability or a temporary injury, the carts support our customers when and how they need it every time they come through our doors.”
The nationwide initiative extends Walmart’s dedication to creating an inclusive shopping experience. Last year, the retailer successfully introduced sensory-friendly hours. These hours, from 8am - 10am daily, provide a calmer environment in all Walmart stores across the
Caroline’s Carts are designed for caregivers supporting a wide array of people including those with disabilities, children, seniors and people with limited mobility or injuries. The seat has a capacity to hold 35-250 pounds. Walmart plans to equip all Supercenters with two Caroline’s Carts and all Neighborhood Markets with at least one, totaling about 8,000 carts nationwide. Distribution is ongoing, with all stores scheduled to be equipped with the carts by early 2025. The order from Walmart this year is greater than all Caroline’s Cart orders combined since manufacturing began in 2012.
Downloadable videos and a customer interview are available below, including:
- Interview with Angie Zumwalt, Walmart customer and her 10-year-old son Brooks
- Caroline’s Carts in action at a Walmart store
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Caroline’s Carts being manufactured at Wanzl North America in
Denver, North Carolina
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240912619192/en/
Source: Walmart Inc.
FAQ
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