HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has introduced the Kmart Smart Assist Savings Card in Michigan, offering 20% discounts on more than 1,200 private-label grocery and drug-store items to unemployed shoppers in the state. Verifiably unemployed Michigan residents who register at kmart.com can receive the discount card, which is valid for up to six months.

"Unemployment is severely impacting our Michigan communities, so we knew we had to step up to the plate and do what we could to help Kmart customers continue to provide their families with the staples they need, even on a tight budget," Kmart said in a prepared statement.

Kmart had been based in Troy, Mich., before its acquisition by Sears Holdings, based here. The Kmart program follows a similar launch last month by Spartan Stores in which the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer and wholesaler is offering discounts to some laid off General Motors workers.

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