Free shipping: A guide to retailers’ holiday deals
By Becky Yerak Chicago Tribune
When it comes to shoppers’ favorite perks, free shipping crushes
other services.
Hassle-free returns, price matching and extended holiday hours are
all less coveted by consumers than free shipping, according to
Deloitte’s recently released 30th annual holiday survey of spending
plans and trends.
Nearly 3 out of 4 shoppers plan to take advantage of retailers’ free
shipping windows this holiday, the consulting firm said. That’s up from
68 percent last year.
The second most popular perk — easy returns — was mentioned by only
55 percent of survey respondents.
Retailers offering free shipping online might have an edge with
consumers in an upcoming holiday season in which the National Retail
Federation expects November and December sales to grow at a slower pace
than they did last year.
A holiday survey by consulting firm PWC found that 83 percent of
shoppers say standard free shipping would make them “extremely likely”
to make a purchase.
But only 21 percent of retailers plan to offer free shipping without
a minimum purchase, 43 percent have a minimum purchase requirement, and
the rest don’t plan to offer free shipping at all this holiday, PWC found.
Have a bad habit of cutting your online shopping close to Christmas
yet still hope to score free shipping? One of the last chances is the
eighth annual Free Shipping Day on Dec. 18.
So far more than 390 merchants, including DSW and Wal-Mart, have
signed up at freeshipping day.com . Retailers must waive all minimum
order requirements and guarantee delivery by Dec. 24 to participate.
Free Shipping Day aside, here’s a sampling of retailers and how you
can qualify for free shipping on their websites, based on information
provided by the companies on or before Tuesday.
Ace Hardware: No free shipping this holiday, but the retailer is
offering free store pickup. Check your neighborhood Ace store’s
inventory online, place an order, and pick it up in-store the same day.
Bed Bath & Beyond: Free shipping on orders of $49 or more, with
certain exceptions.
Best Buy: The electronics chain is offering free shipping on all
orders — no minimum — through Jan. 2. Its typical minimum for free
shipping is $35. During the 2014 holiday, Best Buy offered free shipping
on all orders over $35. For certain members of its loyalty program,
shipping is free year-round on all orders.
Dollar General: Free shipping with any purchase of $40 or more.
Agreeing to receive Dollar General emails could qualify you for more
shipping discounts.
Home Depot: The home improvement chain said it offers free standard
shipping on more than 700,000 items online for most orders over $45.
Online customers can also choose the free “buy online, pick up in store”
during checkout.
J.C. Penney: Free shipping for online orders of $49 or more.
Kohl’s: The department store chain told the Tribune that “for
competitive reasons,” it doesn’t give details on its free shipping plans
for the holidays. As of Tuesday morning, its website said it was
offering free shipping on purchases of $50 or more through Nov. 27.
Lowe’s: The home improvement chain will offer free shipping on
purchases of $19 or more for Black Friday, starting at midnight
Wednesday night/Thanksgiving morning. On Cyber Monday shipping is free
on everything.
Macy’s: Macy’s has free online shipping on all beauty items and for
orders of $99 or more. It also offers special shipping promotions around
some of its holiday sale events. You can also buy online and pick up in
store.
Neiman Marcus: The luxury retailer offers free shipping.
Office Depot: Free shipping on “qualified” purchases of $35 or more.
PetSmart: Free shipping starting at 6 a.m. Central on Thanksgiving
Day and on Black Friday with no minimum purchase. Pet-Smart’s free
shipping usually starts at $49.
Sears, Kmart: The stores offer free shipping on orders of $49 or
more; last year the minimum was $59. You can also order online and swing
by a local Sears or Kmart, where the order is ready in five minutes or less.
Staples: The office supplies chain offers free shipping for Staples
Rewards members and free shipping on orders of $49.99 or more for
non-rewards members. There’s no charge for having an order delivered to
one of its stores.
Target: “Free shipping was a great success last year, and we’re
excited to offer free shipping again this holiday season,” spokeswoman
Jamie Bastian said. The offer is good through Dec. 25, but, for
Christmas delivery, orders should be placed by Dec. 21 — one day later
than last year. “But guests can continue to save on shipping up until
the 25th, with delivery after the holiday,” she said. Free shipping is
available on every order.
Walgreens: Free shipping beginning at $35. The deadline to order
online is Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m. CT for gifts to be received by
Christmas. The order must also meet certain conditions, including
weighing under 20 pounds and being shipped to the 48 contiguous states.
Wal-Mart: Free shipping on orders over $50, and free pickup for
online orders to 4,500 stores.
Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Karp contributed. bye...@tribpub.com
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