Walmart brings back layaway plans

This final note today, a somewhat distressing sign of the economic times, direct from Bentonville, Ark.

Walmart said today it’s bringing back layaway payment plans. The world’s biggest retailer got rid of layaways five years ago — that is, before the economy went south — because so many people were using credit cards to finance things.

Walmart says customers are feeling the pinch again and need a little help to buy what they want.