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Retailers Extend Holiday Shipping Deadlines For Last-Minute Shoppers

holiday shopperWhile some retailers are sending emails and alerts promoting shipping deadlines, others are taking a different approach by extending their timelines to appease shoppers who are waiting until the last minute.

Based on a survey of more than 100 retailers with revenue greater than $750 million, consulting firm Kurt Salmon concluded that 26% would guarantee Christmas delivery for orders placed one to three days ahead of time, an increase from 17% in 2013. Additionally, nearly half of these retailers would guarantee on-time delivery for orders placed by December 20.

Amazon, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble and Toys “R” Us are among the retailers pushing their shipping deadlines to the limit.

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In order to receive items before Christmas Day, Amazon shoppers are able to wait until December 19 to receive free shipping on their orders. However, Prime members have even more time, receiving a deadline of December 22.

Consumers in 12 metro areas also can choose from up to one million items that are eligible for same-day delivery. All orders must be placed by 10 a.m. ET on December 24 to arrive in time. Participating cities include: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. 

Barnes & Noble is still offering a variety of free shipping options to ensure consumers receive their gifts in a timely fashion. Barnes & Noble Members don’t have a minimum purchase total to receive free shipping, and can place orders by December 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Packages are guaranteed to arrive by December 24. Non-Members will receive the same perks on orders of $25 or more. Shoppers in New York City will have access to Barnes & Noble’s Same Day Service if they place orders on BN.com by 11 a.m. ET on December 24. The retailer indicated that packages will be delivered by 7 p.m. ET.

In addition to the shipping deadlines, Barnes & Noble called out instant gifting solutions, such as eGift Cards and NOOK Instant Gifting for eBooks and apps.

Apparel retailer Banana Republic, however, is establishing a series of partnerships to provide additional services and solutions to holiday shoppers. The official Procrastinators Event offers six days of perks for last-minute shoppers.

Through a partnership with TASKRABBIT, customers who shop in U.S. stores will receive a $30 credit to hire assistants that can help with any last-minute to-dos. Whether consumers need to clean the house for a holiday party, set up the Christmas tree or run a quick errand, the TASKRABBIT team is there to help.

Shoppers also can receive free rides to and from Banana Republic stores across the U.S. by using Curb. The only limitation is that the ride fee must be $20 or less. Deliv also is helping Banana Republic customers reserve their items in-store and have them shipped the same day. However, this service is only available in Chicago, Houston, New Jersey, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC.

Finally, Banana Republic is providing free shipping and giftwrapping services via Shyp. Shoppers in Miami, New York and San Francisco will receive a $25 credit in stores that can be used to ship their gifts. Customers who visit the Grant Ave. store in San Francisco, the store in SoHo, New York City, and Aventura Mall in Miami, also can hand off their gifts to Shyp ambassadors who will giftwrap their items and then ship them off to friends and family.

Toys “R” Usalso is unveiling new services, including longer store hours, expanded associate assistance as well as express checkout and shipping options. Starting 6 a.m. ET on December 23, through 9 p.m. ET Christmas Eve, Toys “R” Us stores will remain open 24 hours a day.

Before visiting a location, consumers can use the Gift Finder tool on the Toys “R” Us web site, which spotlights top gifts that can be narrowed based on age and interests. 

Store services include Toys “R” Us G.P.S. (Guru for Play Stuff), who will be on hand to provide direction to find specific toys and deals. Store-specific maps and signage also will help streamline navigation.

Express checkout lanes will be available for customers purchasing two items or less and online orders placed by 12 p.m. ET on December 23 are guaranteed to arrive by Christmas Eve. Free store pickup also is available until 4 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve, with orders being picked and packed in an hour or less.

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