Walmart U.S. Layaway Sales Strong Before Holiday Season

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

Walmart U.S. layaway sales strong before holiday season

By Jessica Wohl

Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:59am EDT

(Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) has lined up $400 million in U.S. layaway sales in less than a month, half of the amount shoppers put on hold for all of the 2011 holiday season, as the world's largest retailer makes a concerted push to entice shoppers before the typical start of the holiday season.

Shares of Wal-Mart jumped to an all-time high of $76.38 early on Wednesday and were up 2.7 percent at $76.14 in midmorning as the company held its annual meeting with analysts and investors, which was also broadcast over the Internet.

Walmart U.S. is preparing for a strong holiday season, ordering twice as many tablets and Apple Inc (AAPL.O) iPads as last year, said Duncan Mac Naughton, the chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart U.S.

The company has seen roughly $400 million in layaway orders already, after starting the process in mid-September, a month earlier than it did when it brought the service back in 2011. With layaway, shoppers buying certain items can put them on hold and pay for them over time.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE8990ZR20121010

[leveymg]

1. Fuck Walmart, Apple, and the rest of the apex of the predatory corporate class.

The near-monopolists are the only ones with access to capital. There will be riots in iPad City, everywhere.

[maryellen99]

2. I wonder if Romney wins

People are going to nuts with the Christmas shopping this year because they think the economy is going to "magically" going to improve.

[Sherman A1]

3. While no fan of Wal Mart there are other indications of a strong holiday season

which is certainly a good thing overall. With anticipated increased spending leading to some increased hiring. Not perfect to be sure, but it's a start.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021505600

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021466648