Sears, Kmart go back to school with expanded online layaway plans

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/24/2011 12:46:30 PM

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears and Kmart said they are trying to help their shoppers meet their budgets and save time this back-to-school season with the recent expansion of both retailers' online layaway plans.

New technology available on Sears.com and Kmart.com "allows college students and their parents to shop online and stretch their payments out over time." Another new advantage is that parents and students can now pick up their online layaway items at a Sears or Kmart store nearest their college campus to ease moving hassles and avoid added costs of shipping supplies.

"At Sears and Kmart, we aim to give college students quality products, services and shopping solutions while maintaining sensible affordability," said Salima Yala, divisional vice president, layaway, Sears Holdings. "The opportunity to help students and their families cut costs and make smart decisions lets them know that, as a customer, they can count on Sears and Kmart for their shopping needs."
Layaway at Sears or Kmart is available year-round and allows shoppers to purchase items using eight- or 12-week payment plans. Following a $15 or 10% down payment, bi-weekly payments are made for the length of the contract. The initiation fee on all new layaway contracts is just $5. Busy consumers can also visit www.sears.com/layaway or www.kmart.com/layaway to shop using online layaway and manage payments. Cancellation fees may apply.