How are retailers enticing consumers this challenging holiday season?

**Retailers have added one more day to the pre-holiday shopping season by opening on Thanksgiving day

**Now more than ever retailers are offering layaway plans and layaway has become competitive; K-Mart is offering layaway on everything, some stores on just selected items

**Some layaway plans have fees associated with them for holding the item, cancelling the item as well as requiring large down payments

**Online shopping such as Home Shopping Network and QVC offer extended flexible payment options to compete with layaway programs.

**Promotions for discounts and free shipping began in October and will only increase as we get closer to the holidays