Santa's Helper Kmart® Brings Back No Money Down Layaway; Introduces No Money Down Leasing

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Kmart announced two payment options to help make it easier for shoppers to get everything on their Christmas gift list by planning and budgeting early. No Money Down Layaway is returning for its second year, and for the first time, Kmart is introducing No Money Down Leasing.  

The National Retail Federation found that more than 40 percent of Americans begin shopping for the holidays prior to October and of those, 60 percent shop early in order to spread their budgets*; that's why Kmart has launched No Money Down Layaway and Leasing well-ahead of the holidays to make it simple to budget and spend wisely. 

"Yes, it's ridiculously early to talk about the holidays – and we're having fun with that fact in our new ad campaign, aptly titled 'Ridiculous'– but 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," said Kelly Cook, chief marketing officer, Kmart.  "We know it's crazy to think snow, Santa and sleigh bells when there's still a sliver of summer fun to be had, but we're helping our members get a step ahead of the busy holiday season."   

Both programs are available now through Sunday, Nov. 29 so that Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday shoppers can even take advantage of these payment options. 

"Kmart and Sears are the only general merchandise retailers wherelayaway is available nationwide, both online and in-store with no minimum purchase, year-round," said Jai Holtz, vice president and general manager financial services, Sears Holdings. "Plus, we let our members put items from the categories they care about most on layaway – this includes toys and apparel.  We work hard to make it ridiculously easy for our members to plan, shop and save at Kmart."    

About No Money Down Layaway or Leasing

• Layaway**: Shoppers can place in-demand items across dozens of categories on layaway including toys, home products, apparel and electronics, with no down payment for in-store contracts and only one penny down for online contracts. Shop Your Way members earn points on layaway purchases, and membership is easy and free. Gift-givers can stay organized by opting to receive payment reminder alerts via text.
• Leasing****: During the promotion, shoppers can choose an item that meets the minimum purchase requirement and no initial payment is needed in store. Participating categories for leasing include toys, home electronics and entertainment, appliances, household goods and furniture, sporting goods, lawn and garden, and outdoor living. With No Money Down Leasing, the gifts everyone will be clamoring for can be picked up and taken home now with zero stress, hassle or money down. 
• In addition***, Members get $10 off any Apparel, Footwear and Jewelry purchase of $50 or more on layaway. Offer valid in-store and online on new Layaway contracts from Aug. 30 through Sept. 9, 2015 and Oct. 4 through Oct 17, 2015. Members get $10 off any toys, sporting goods, home and appliance purchase of $50 or more on layaway or lease. Offer valid in-store and online on new layaway contracts from Sept. 20 through Oct. 3, 2015 and Oct. 18 through Oct. 31, 2015. 

For more information on No Money Down Layaway and Leasing, please visit Kmart.com/Layaway or Kmart.com/Leasing.

*Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics for NRF, 2013 Consumer Spending Survey

**Offer valid on new layaway contracts through Sunday 11/29/15. No down payment required in store.  One penny down required online for layaway only. All fees nonrefundable. Cancellation fees apply, except Ohio. Layaway requires biweekly payments. Exclusions also apply. See store for details.

***Members get $10 off any Apparel, Footwear and Jewelry purchase of $50 or more on layaway Details: Offer valid in-store and online on new Layaway contracts from 8/30 through 9/19 and 10/4/15 through 10/17/2015. Online code limited to one-time use only and applies to merchandise marked sold by Kmart only.  To redeem online enter LAYAWAY10 into promo field at checkout. Savings shown in cart. Not combinable with any other offer. Discount given at time of layaway purchase. Savings applied and pro-rated across all qualifying items purchased in addition to the minimum requirements and will be deducted from any refund. Purchase requirement before taxes and after other discounts and must be made in a single transaction. 

Members get $10 off any Toys, Sporting Goods, Home and Appliance purchase of $50 or more on layaway or lease Details: Offer valid in-store and online on new Layaway contracts from 9/20 through 10/3 and 10/18 through 10/31/2015.

Excludes clearance merchandise, closeout, hot buys, gift cards, non-merchandise, prior purchases, Sears merchandise, Everyday Great Price items, Deal Flash, red-tag special buys, incredible buys, introductory offers, gold-filled jewelry, family jewelry, class rings, concessions, federal or state regulated items, alcohol, tobacco, fuel, items behind the pharmacy counter, prescriptions, partial-paid special order items, Lands' End, and Scrubology. 

****Offer valid on new lease contracts through Sunday 11/29/2015 in store only. Age and income requirements. Excludes non-durable (disposable) goods; drug, grocery, fine jewelry, footwear and apparel items. Lease requires a single qualifying purchase of $69 or more. Online lease applications can be approved on line but products must be picked up in store and application completed. See store for details.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:  SHLD), is a mass merchandising company and part of Shop Your Way, a social shopping experience where members have the ability to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats through shopyourway.com. Kmart offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com | Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/kmart.

About Shop Your Way

Shop Your Way® is a free social shopping destination and rewards program offering millions of products, personalized services, and advice. Through a network of retail partners and service providers, members can shop, compare, purchase items and earn points to use on future purchases. Members also enjoy special pricing, exclusive sales, events, access to celebrity brands and sweepstakes. And through the unique social community on shopyourway.com members can research and browse products, create wish lists, poll friends and family and even get advice from experts to help choose the products and services that best meet their needs. There is no minimum purchase required for Shop Your Way® members to redeem points and points can be used toward purchases across countless product categories. Download the free Shop Your Way app available on iTunes or Google Play. There is no minimum purchase required for Shop Your Way members to redeem points and points can be used toward purchases across countless product categories. Download the free Shop Your Way app available on iTunes or Google Play. By accepting Shop Your Way member benefits and offers, you agree to the Shop Your Way terms and conditions, available at www.shopyourway.com/terms.

SOURCE Kmart