Major Retailers Start Unveiling New Layaway Programs
By: Alexandra Sutter
Updated: September 11, 2012
MORTON -- Retailers are already thinking about how to make this holiday season less stressful for shoppers. Many are cutting the cost of their layaway programs this fall.
Toys-R-Us is eliminating its fee until after Halloween and K-Mart is holding items for free until Nov. 17.
Walmart brought back its layaway program last year, and this year it's expanding. Its fees will drop from $15 to $5 per transaction.
Popular items to put on hold include tablets, iPods and children's toys.
Walmart manager Beth Whitt said the program is so successful because many shoppers need to stretch their dollar during tougher economic times. "With the hard times that we're having, it helps them to spread their check out a little more, paycheck out a little more, so they can have a better Christmas for their families," she said.
Walmart's program kicks off on Sept. 16.
