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Wal-Mart bringing back layaways for holiday shopping
Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores will introduce a holiday layaway plan effective Oct. 17 through Dec. 16. The program has a minimum layaway purchase of $50, and requires a 10% down payment. If the program is successful, Wal-Mart said it may extend it throughout the year.
When Wal-Mart phased out its previous layaway offer in September 2006, such programs had fallen out of popularity. But Sears and some merchants brought back layaways as the recession cut into spending.
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Best Buy turns to third-party sellers to boost online presence
MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy has joined the likes of Amazon and eBay with the launch of its own third-party shopping destination. The move comes as Best Buy looks to grow its online business as it struggles to maintain leadership of a saturated consumer electronics market.
According to Best Buy, Best Buy Marketplace will increase the company's online product assortment by one third in time for holiday shopping.