Paycheck timing is nothing new in the retail business, and it's used by virtually all of the big retailers to roll out promotions, product refreshes, new lines, etc.<p>Traditionally speaking, paycheck timing was used by retailers catering to low-income segments -- especially those on food stamps, and those who buy groceries on extremely predictable cycles (by necessity). But what's interesting, not to mention troubling, is that this trend is proliferating up the socioeconomic ladder. It's been going on for awhile now, dating back to before the 2007/8 crash, though certainly made a lot worse ever since that downturn.