DERBY — The Derby Walmart had an early visit from Santa when an anonymous man paid off all the layaway items in the store, several local news outlets have reported.
Walmart shopper Julie Gates told WCAX that she encountered the anonymous man in the store.
“This can’t be, who can afford to pay for [everyone’s] layaway?” she said. “And he said ‘Santa Clause can.'”
Customer Tammy Desautels also told WCAX that her items had been paid for.
“It was kind of like surreal when they said no balance due, then it was really a reality,” she said.
Walmart could not provide a total amount that the man spent. It is also unknown how many people went home with free gifts.
The man did not want to be recognized for his good deed, and the only known photo of him was taken as he was walking away.
“There were people ahead of me who were eight, nine-hundred dollar layaways,” Gates said.
Customers purchase items on layaway by handing over an initial deposit to ensure the store holds the product.
When the shopper pays the item off in full, they can take it home. The payment method allows customers to obtain a product without putting down a major sum in one sitting.
