-- Layaway Availability Grid -- Helps shoppers confirm the availability
of their items at time of purchase.
-- Layaway Calculator -- Details the layaway payment schedule and down
payment information on the layaway contract.
-- Layaway Manager -- Allows users to make payments; view their payment
schedule and other contract details.
-- Contract Management E-mails -- Reminds shoppers of payment due dates.
Kmart's convenient online layaway comes at a time when layaway interest is
strong. Online trends show the word "layaway" had more than double the
interest among U.S. searchers in August 2009 than it had in August 2008.
Kmart's layaway program has seen double-digit increases in layaway
customers and sales in 2008. This increased consumer interest inspired
Kmart to create online layaway, empowering customers to manage their lives
more conveniently.
"We have an entire generation of customers that grew up shopping online,"
said Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer, Kmart. "Launching online
layaway at Kmart engages these customers by allowing them to spread their
payments out over time and better plan their spending."
Online layaway is also available at Sears. With programs like the
Christmas Club Card and now online layaway, Sears and Kmart continue to
respond to a broad range of consumer needs. These programs give customers
the flexibility to shop any way they prefer, whether in store or from the
comfort of their own homes.
Online Layaway Transaction Guidelines
-- When initiating a layaway contract online, customers enter their zip
code to select a Kmart store to hold their layaway items. Merchandise must
be picked up when final payment is made at that location.
-- Customers who initiate layaway contracts in store also can make
payments online by logging in/registering and entering their layaway
contract number from their in-store receipt.
-- Similar to Kmart's traditional layaway, online layaway users have
eight weeks to pay for items in full.
-- Payments must be made biweekly online or at any register in the Kmart
store where the layaway order is held.
-- Customers pay only a $5 initiation fee to start a layaway contract
(fees may vary by state).
-- Customers must make a down payment of $15 or 10 percent (whichever is
greater).
-- Online layaway customers can use one or any combination of these
acceptable payment options: credit card (Sears credit card, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, American Express), debit card, Kmart Gift Card or
Kmart Cash Card.
-- Layaway purchases are protected by Kmart's 90-day return policy. If
for any reason a customer is not satisfied, products can be returned for a
refund, with receipt, at any Kmart store, within 90 days after the final
layaway payment date (some exceptions apply).
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline
retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in
the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance
retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics
and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include
Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including
such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well
as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living
collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart. We are the
nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million
service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through
its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.
For more information, visit Sears Holdings' Web site at
www.searsholdings.com.
To view a multi-media version of this release, go to
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2009/kmart91006/index.html
Contact Information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Shannelle Armstrong Sears Holdings Corporation (847) 286-0715 Felischa Marye Flowers Communications Group (312) 228-8805