Kmart entices holiday shoppers to start early

Kmart is gearing up for the holiday shopping season and reminding customers, including Shop Your Way members, of its No Money Down Layaway program, which is now available.



"We know it's early, and that is exactly when smart shoppers start thinking about using layaway for the holidays," said Jai Holtz, VP and GM financial services, Sears Holdings. "Based on member feedback, we are expanding no money down layaway nationwide to help members and customers who want to make small payments over time leading up the holidays. Kmart is committed to helping our members budget their finances throughout the holidays by kicking off no money down layaway as early as possible so they can feel confident about checking everything off their lists."



According to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 Holiday Consumer Spending Survey, nearly 40% of Americans begin holiday shopping before Halloween. Kmart is hoping to direct some of that traffic to its stores by offering shoppers a payment option that is, according to the company, flexible and convenient.



Showing a good sense of humor, Kmart is promoting the layaway program with a "This is Not a Christmas Commercial" ad that is viewable on YouTube.



Kmart's layaway program includes online and in-store contracts for items across dozens of merchandise categories, including apparel, home décor, toys and consumer electronics.



Kmart and Sears offer layaway year-round, and tout themselves as the only general merchandise retailers that offer layaway nationwide, both online and in-store.