Liquiditätsverzug durch zinsfreie Layaway‑Ratenzahlungen

Definition

Layaway plans for retail commonly start with a mandatory down payment of 10–20% of the item’s price, followed by regular interest‑free instalments until the item is paid in full.[2][3] Furniture‑specific providers often require around 20–25% deposit and then allow customers to pay off the balance over several months, with product only delivered once paid in full.[1][4][6] Some Australian lay‑by services advertise payments from AUD 10 per week over 101 weeks, confirming extremely long payment durations before delivery.[5] Throughout the layaway period, goods are reserved or produced, and administrative costs (set‑up, storage, reconciliation) are incurred, but the majority of cash is not received until much later. Retailers effectively extend zero‑interest credit to customers, lengthening their cash conversion cycle. The opportunity cost equals alternative uses of that capital or the financing cost if overdrafts/loans fund operations. For larger furniture items at AUD 1.000+ and high utilisation of long‑term layaway, the impact on working capital and interest expense can be material.

Why This Matters

The Pitch: Retail furniture players in Australia 🇦🇺 binden geschätzt AUD 200.000–500.000 zusätzlichen Working Capital je 10‑Filialen‑Kette durch zinsfreie Layaway‑Pläne. Automation of dynamic deposit sizing, shorter default terms and payment‑reminder workflows accelerates cash collection and reduces financing costs.

Affected Stakeholders

CFO, Treasury/Finanzplanung, Leiter Vertrieb/Marketing, Store Manager, E‑Commerce Manager

Related Business Risks