BALTIMORE — Christmas procrastinators, December 14 may be your last day to get gifts delivered on time and for free.
Friday is the 11th annual Free Shipping Day. More than a thousand online retailers are expected to participate by offering free shipping and waiving any minimum required for free delivery.
A number of businesses are already offering free shipping including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. However, Best Buy and Walmart have $35 minimum thresholds.
You'll have to check each store's site on Friday to see their offers. Popular retailers that participated in Free Shipping Day in the past have included Sephora, Macy’s, REI, Brookstone, Ann Taylor, Petsmart, J. Crew and others.
According to surveys, shoppers may take their business elsewhere if a store doesn’t offer free shipping.
"The National Retail Federation estimates that 50 percent of online shoppers will back out of a purchase if the shipping isn't free,” said Lauren Doyle, a marketing expert.
Target is offering free two-day shipping through December 22. And Best Buy will have free standard shipping through December 25.
Finally, Amazon's giving everyone more time for last-minute Christmas shopping. You can buy as late as December 18 and still get it on time with free shipping. Prime membership is not required. On top of that, Amazon is doing its Prime Now two-hour deliveries until midnight on Christmas Eve.
WMAR-2 News’ Mallory Sofastaii put three online retailers to the test to see who delivered the fastest and was the cheapest. See the winner of the holiday shipping wars here:
Shipping Wars: Three stores tested for delivery speed, see who delivered
USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines (for on time Christmas delivery):
Ground shipping: December 14
First Class Shipping and Priority Mail: December 20
Priority mail express: December 22
