After seeing high customer demand for layaway during last year's Christmas shopping season, Wal-Mart is expanding the interest-free pay-over-time program.

The new program will last a month longer than last year's and will include more items than the toys and electronics featured last year. Shoppers will be able to set aside small home appliances and select sporting goods such as trampolines and exercise equipment.

The program begins Sept. 16 and end Dec. 14, giving shoppers a month more than last year to spread their payments.

The world's largest retailer says its mostly lower-income shoppers are still having a hard time stretching their dollars to the next paycheck.

Wal-Mart requires that each item be priced at $15 or more, and the total layaway purchase must be at least $50.