Released: November 05, 2008

Budget-minded shoppers rediscover layaway plans

Source: Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times (Free Registration)

Qiana Zimmerle got an early start on her Christmas shopping last week, heading to a Kmart in Burbank where she loaded up a cart with toys, clothes and a High School Musical game.

But with money tight this year, instead of going to the checkout line, Zimmerle dropped the gifts off at the layaway counter, paid a small deposit and left the store—for now. Over the next few weeks, she’ll make regular payments on the remaining $113.18 balance and pick up the items when she’s paid it off.

“I have 12 nieces and nephews, so that’s why I have to do it this way,” said Zimmerle, 28, who lives in Eagle Rock. “It’s easier on me, money-wise.”

After pulling back on layaway programs for years, retailers are again touting the service as a financially savvy way to buy goods this holiday season. Cash-poor and credit-strapped shoppers are responding by flocking to layaway counters at stores such as Kmart, Marshalls and Burlington Coat Factory, and using online options such as ELayaway.com.

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