Free Shipping Day: Last Chance for Holiday Shopping Procrastinators

Retailers entice shoppers with free shipping and guaranteed Christmas delivery.

ByABC News
December 17, 2015, 11:35 AM

— -- Shoppers who are behind on their holiday shopping or are looking for last-minute gifts may want to get busy ordering online this Friday when many retailers offer free shipping with guaranteed Christmas delivery.

The annual shopping holiday known as "Free Shipping Day" is traditionally the day when many retailers offer free shipping with no minimums to entice consumers to finally cross everything off their Christmas lists. Delivery is usually guaranteed for Christmas Eve, ensuring presents arrive just in time.

More than 900 retailers have said they're participating in "Free Shipping Day," including big box names such as Walmart and Target, according to FreeShippingDay.com, a website that rounds up a list of stores offering shipping deals.

While some orders placed online this weekend may be able to arrive on time for Christmas, users will likely have to pay extra for expedited shipping, Howard Schaffer, vice president of merchandising at Offers.com, told ABC News. They may also be missing out on some of the holiday deals available online now, he said.

"You've got to be smart as a consumer and make sure you're not waiting until the last minute," he said. "Free Shipping Day is the time to make sure everything is done."