Kmart brings back layaway program, launches No Money Down Leasing for holiday shoppers

Starting last week, Kmart, the U.S. retail company under Sears Holding Corp. brings back its No Money Down Layaway Program and launches No Money Down Leasing for holiday shoppers.

In order to grab the huge number of Christmas shoppers this year, Kmart, is returning the No Money Down Layaway Program. They also introduce another option, the No Money Down Leasing in all Kmart locations. It will last until the end of November.

Kmart CMO Kelly Cook said it might be too early to think of the holidays but they want to help their members get ahead of the holiday rush. "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," Cook said in a press release from the PR News Wire.

On that note, the National Retail Federation estimates over 40% of Americans start shopping earlier in the holiday season.

"There is absolutely a trend to an earlier holiday. And so we are trying to meet that demand," Jai Holtz, President of Financial Services at Sears Holdings Corp. stated in a report from St. Louis Today.

Kmart always held a layaway program for the Christmas season. The option was first launched in 2013, but it was limited to certain weeks. This time, it will run until November 29. This allows members to place items without a down payment on stores and a penny on its online shop. Members can also earn points.

The most common items in the layaway program during the holidays are electronics, toys and apparel. But some choose appliances to be used in the household.

Kmart encourages its members on the 'lease to own'. The leasing program will allow shoppers to choose items for a minimum purchase of $69. They can pick it up without initial payments. The company had provided 30, 60 and 90 days for paying its premium. And there would be added charges prior to buying out the lease.

Holtz told Reuters the leasing and the layaway program goes across all demographics. It is a trend designed to meet the consumers' demand for all levels of income earners.

The layaway business is a tradition in the retail industry. Select the item you wanted to own under an installment period and pick it up once you paid it fully. Discount retailers in a massive recession are bringing it back. But the leasing program will be more advantageous to consumers.