Layaway Makes a Comeback at Walmart and Kmart

    NOVEMBER 12, 2012- Walmart and Kmart are hoping you will utilize their layaway programs by not breaking your bank this holiday season.

    The holiday season can cause headaches for shoppers on a tight budget.

    But thanks to the resurgence of layaway, shoppers are able to stretch their dollars.

"You basically go from check to check.  You know that.  And if we didn't have layaway, it couldn't be done," says Kmart shopper Darene Wassel.

    Store officials at Kmart say they have noticed a spike in layaway use.

"I enjoy seeing people come in, and they're very excited and concerned about making payments because it's so hard right now," says Kmart pricing specialist Maureen Walls. 

    This year, Kmart removed their service fee on layaway.

    And Kmart corporate has started the angel program to help with layaway payments.

"Corporate will pay off 1 layaway per week and I just thought that was really cool," says Walls.

    Walmart has brought layaway for the second year in a row giving shoppers on a limited budget more options for holiday spending.

"Well, we've had an overwhelming positive response to layaway especially giving customers an extra 30 days to pay on holiday purchases," Says Felice Dipietrantonio

Walmart store manager

    Walmart will offer a longer layaway period.

    And lowered layaway fee from fifteen dollars to five dollars.

    Something that longtime Walmart shopper Debbie Bush plans to utilize.

"Well with 13 grandchildren and another one on the way it helps a lot with putting toys in layaway," says longtime Walmart shopper Debbie Bush.

    Door buster sales begin at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving at both stores.