A RetailWire poll in November 2005 asked respondents if layaway programs provided a competitive advantage and nearly three out of four replied "yes.". In the article preceding the poll, Wal-Mart was listed among those that offered layaway plans...one store manager even said he had to add staff because of the increased demand for the service. Fast-forward to yesterday and (surprise) Wal-Mart announced it would no longer offer layaway after this year due to a lack of demand for the service. What do you see as the value of layaway programs?

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