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HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has launched two payment options for customers looking to do their Christmas shopping very early. The chain has introduced "No Money Down Leasing" and brought back "No Money Down Layaway" for a second year.
Kmart has launched two payment options for customers looking to do their Christmas shopping very early. The chain has introduced "No Money Down Leasing" and brought back "No Money Down Layaway" for a second year.
The National Retail Federation has found that more than 40% of Americans begin shopping for the holidays prior to October, and of those, 60% shop early in order to extend their budgets. Kmart launched the initiatives well ahead of the holidays to make it simple to budget and spend wisely, the retailer says.
"Yes, it’s ridiculously early to talk about the holidays — and we’re having fun with that fact in our new ad campaign, aptly titled ‘Ridiculous’ — but we know savvy Kmart shoppers are already making their Christmas lists, managing their budgets and looking for awesome options like No Money Down Layaway and Leasing to make it easier," said Kmart chief marketing officer Kelly Cook. "We know it’s crazy to think snow, Santa and sleigh bells when there’s still a sliver of summer fun to be had, but we’re helping our members get a step ahead of the busy holiday season."
Both programs are available through Sunday, November 29, so that Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday shoppers can still take advantage of them.
"Kmart and Sears are the only general merchandise retailers where layaway is available nationwide, both online and in-store with no minimum purchase, year-round," said Jai Holtz, vice president and general manager of financial services at Sears Holdings Corp. "Plus, we let our members put items from the categories they care about most on layaway — this includes toys and apparel. We work hard to make it ridiculously easy for our members to plan, shop and save at Kmart."
The moves follow Walmart’s introduction of a layaway program in late August, two weeks earlier than last year.
The largest Texas supermarketer, San Antonio-based H-E-B, which sells toys and appliances as well as groceries, has also introduced a layaway plan and related promotions.
