You may have been wearing parachute pants the last time you heard about layaway shopping.

But in these difficult economic times, the concept of claiming merchandise only after you’ve fully paid up in installments is making something of a comeback.

Kmart began advertising its layaway plan last month. The move was based on customer feedback that also led the store to offer deep holiday discounts earlier in the season, said Tom Aiello, vice president of public relations for Sears Holding Corp., its parent company.

Customers wanted to spread out payments “because it was going to be a little bit tighter than last year,” he said. “Layaway empowers the consumer to do that.”

Aiello said the layaway program has “increased significantly” but he could not give specific numbers.

Retailers don’t seem to be newly establishing or reinstating layaway programs, but those that already offer them may see a benefit, said Scott Krugman, spokesman for the National Retail Federation.

The group is predicting only a 2.2 percent growth in business this holiday shopping season, down from a 4.4 percent annual average during the last decade. In light of the economy, Krugman thinks there “might be more of a base for it [layaway] this year than in the past.”

Burlington Coat Factory, which has offered shoppers layaway since the company was founded more than 30 years ago, saw layaway usage climb by 15 percent in the last month in the Southeast region, said Todd Brawner, the company’s regional vice president.

“I think it’s a definite drawing card,” Brawner said. “People are asking questions about it” and it brings customers back, he said. “Hopefully no one else will try it,” he said with a laugh.

Wal-Mart phased out layaway two years ago, except in its jewelry department, and has no plans to resume the program. Target doesn’t offer layaway.

TJX Companies offers layaway at some T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores and most A.J. Wright stores, spokeswoman Annmarie Farretta said. Where layaway is offered, some consumers see a viable option.

Kristy Gadoury, 27, was perched at the layaway counter at Kmart on Buford Highway recently. With her hands muffing the ears of her daughter, Giana, she explained that she planned to use layaway to buy the 6-year-old the present the girl had requested from Santa.

A phone operator, Gadoury said she can’t afford to “spend $300 all at one time.”

Luckily, Gadoury got an early holiday gift herself. Her mother shipped them the gift item, and Gadoury was canceling her layaway order.