Lexington County retail chains are making it easier to buy now, pay later.

The payment option is a modern version of old-fashioned layaway plans.

They allow shoppers to pay for purchases over time.

The difference is you get the goods up front.

Chains introduced this to attract younger shoppers, who are less likely to use credit cards.

For department stores, the new payment plans risk eating into income from storebranded credit-card fees that have helped offset retail sales declines.

Instead of earning a profit from customers who revolve a balance on their store cards, retailers pay fees to the technology companies that offer buy now, pay later plans.

Riverland plays it forward

The Riverland Band is playing a live show Sunday, Mar. 14.

The free concert will be at Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo.

Riverland supports other non-profit organizations with their events by providing quality live music for their fundraisers at no cost thanks to generous donors and supporters.

Our state’s best place to work

Southeastern Freight Lines has been recognized as Best SC Employer by GOBankingRates.

GOBankingRates used market research to identify organizations liked best by current and former employees in, “The Best Place To Work in Your State.”

Forbes recognized Southeastern Freight Lines as Best Employer in SC in its 2nd annual ranking of America’s best employers last fall.

The company recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. For more information about working at Southeastern, visit the careers page on www.sefl.com.

MTC jobs training gets $50,000

Midlands Technical College Foundation has received a $50,000 grant for its QuickJobs program.

The foundation will use their grant to fund scholarships.

QuickJobs provides workforce development training in jobs that are vital to economic recovery.

MTC created the job training programs to close a skills gap and fill available positions with middle-skilled workers.

50 training programs last from 3 weeks to 15 months to prepare students for careers in business, health care, technology, skilled trades and advanced manufacturing.

The program isn’t eligible for federal or state financial aid, making scholarships vital for students who would otherwise have no way of gaining the skills they need.

Walmart will raise wages

Walmart will raise its pay to $15 an hour for more than 425,000 associates.

How many of those work in its Lexington County stores was not reported.

They said they are not raising the pay of all their 2.2 million associates.

They said their strategy is to reward those who stay with them and make their stores more profitable.

Lexington County rivals including Kroger and Amazon criticized Walmart over pay.

Amazon, Costco and Target all say they pay workers at least $15 an hour.

Most big retailers have remained silent on Democrats’ proposed $15 minimum wages.

Lexington Sonic drive-in moving

Lexington’s favorite drive-in needs more space.

The Sonic Drive-In is moving a few blocks east to the former home of Bojangles.

The new Sonic location will be 461 Columbia Ave.

Managing partner Bob Brockwell said Sonic needed a newer building and more space.

Brockwell opened the Sonic on Columbia Avenue in 1993.

Work on the former Bojangles location is to begin this summer.