The Mary Sue
‘It literally puts us into fight or flight mode’: Miami woman says Walmart is m…
A woman is claiming that Walmart will be changing its lights inside stores, sparking a debate about shopping habits.
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Walmart's Alleged 10,000 Kelvin Lighting Sparks Anxiety Concerns Among Shoppers
Walmart Lighting Controversy: Shoppers Express Concern Over Alleged 10,000 Kelvin Light SwitchA recent social media video has sparked widespread discussion and concern among consumers regarding an alleged change in Walmart's in-store lighting. The video, posted by user liv.audience, claims that Walmart is transitioning its fluorescent or LED lights to a 10,000 Kelvin spectrum, a 'bluest artificial light' that is 'not natural.'According to the video's creator, this extreme cool-toned lighting is designed to induce a 'fight or flight' response in shoppers by triggering the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear and decision-making. The creator suggests this could lead to customers shopping faster and overspending due to impaired rational decision-making. 'It literally puts us into fight or flight mode, triggering the amygdala,' she stated, adding, 'if you can't make rational decisions, then you're going to be a very fast shopper... you're just gonna grab things because your heart rate's gonna be increased.'However, the claims have been met with skepticism and outright denial in the comments section. Several users pointed out a lack of official announcements or employee verification for such a change. One commenter stated, 'Hey so this is literally not happening. I can’t even find anything on it. Walmart has been using 5000 kelvin since 2018 and there’s no news or employee verification of incoming changes.' Another user specifically mentioned, 'Wal-Mart Canada says NO they are NOT switching to 10k Kelvin lighting. In 2016 Walmart Canada switched to LED lighting.'The video has nonetheless resonated with many who already find shopping at Walmart challenging, with comments like 'I’m already in fight or flight at Walmart so I’d hate to see what the Kelvin brings out of me' and 'Walmarts a spiritually draining place.' The discussion highlights consumer sensitivity to in-store environments and the potential impact of sensory factors on shopping behavior, even if the premise of the lighting change remains unconfirmed.
