Amazon to ship free for Christmas
Takes cue from Target
NEW YORK — Amazon is following Target and temporarily dropping the minimum amount shoppers need to spend to qualify for free shipping.
Typically, Amazon shoppers need to spend $25 to qualify for free shipping or pay $119 a year for a Prime membership. Amazon's offer, which started yesterday, applies to hundreds of millions of items and on orders that arrive in time for Christmas. Shoppers who aren't Prime members will get slower shipping, though, which can take five to eight days.
“This holiday, customers can enjoy free shipping with no minimum purchase amount on orders that will arrive in time for Christmas, including items from Amazon’s expertly curated Gift Guides across electronics, fashion, home and toys,” said Doug Herrington, senior vice president of North American retail at Amazon.
Retailers are competing hard for holiday shoppers, who increasingly expect fast shipping that’s free. Target dropped its minimum purchase amount last week, offering free two-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items until Dec. 22. Walmart, which offers free two-day shipping on orders over $35, told reporters after the Target announcement that it has no plans to change its shipping policy.
“This is going to boil down to: ‘How do I want to shop? Who's the cheapest in price. And who do I trust the most?’” said Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School.
“Amazon took out a potential challenge to its supremacy,” Cohen said. “‘Free’ is a very addictive drug.”