This year’s holiday shopping season may seem far off, but one company has announced a plan to help them beat the competition. Toys R Us has offered its customers free layaway from now until October 31st.With the free layaway, consumers will be able to buy toys without having to pay the full price of the item upfront. Toys R Us’s layaway policy lets customers pay only 20% immediately, and then pay 50% by the time 45 days have elapsed. The item must be paid for in full by December 16th. Free layaway is available with the company until October 31st, after which time customers will be charged a $5 fee for the service. Layaway plans have been increasing in popularity with the struggling economy, with many consumers being refused credit cards or having uncertain finances. Toys R Us’s layaway program might help the company compete with online retailers, as well as powerhouses like Wal-Mart, which allows its customers to lay away products but charges them fees to do so.
