Amazon is testing pricing for non-Prime members to get free shipping in selected areas, raising the threshold from $25 back to $35 – the same as for shoppers who aren’t members of Walmart+ – as it probes the potential to increase order value when shoppers add items. Amazon has yo-yoed the order threshold as it reads the tea leaves of analytical data on shopper behavior and pulls the levers.
When we talk about an ecommerce shipping policy, free shipping may be the first thing that comes to mind, and for good reason — the majority of consumers expect it. But free shipping isn’t the only thing that matters to them. Both the cost and speed of shipping matter to shoppers. This is an opportunity brands need to leverage.
A survey from shipping software provider Shippo showed that communication of average ecommerce shipping time is one of the top two things consumers want to see on a product or checkout page. Yet less than half of merchants provide that information to shoppers.
While consumers may be understanding of delays caused by – yup – supply chain issues, they are less forgiving when it comes to being charged for shipping. Over half of respondents to a survey from Dotcom Distribution said they get the delays, but just 25% of those respondents said it made them more tolerant of shipping costs.
Target’s new last-minute delivery deals and deadlines for holiday gifts has it going head-to-head with Walmart over whose fulfillment is faster and more accommodating for shoppers. Both retail giants offer free two-day shipping, but Walmart has the edge in guaranteed delivery by Christmas for ultra-last-minute shoppers.
In 2019, over half of shoppers say they’re conscious of the environmental practices of retailers they shop with. At the same time, they love overnight shipping and free returns, which impact the environment. Retailers, striving to please consumers and be sustainable, are caught in the middle. Here are some ways to address the dilemma.
People love free stuff, and that includes free shipping. Shouldn’t you use this powerful incentive to pump up the performance of your holiday emails? When preparing your holiday promotions, you’ll want to make it a staple of your strategy. Here’s how to incorporate free shipping into your email marketing strategy this holiday season.
Best Buy is getting into the holiday spirit early and pushing back on major competitors, offering free next-day delivery on thousands of items from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and free standard shipping in the few areas where next day isn’t available. The company says it’s available in 42 U.S. markets, covering 99% of its customers.
Small merchants can transform their shipping and mailing operations into an asset rather than a nuisance and cost center. A focus on quick wins that add up over time can fatten your profit margins while delivering increasingly better customer experiences. Learn how refining your strategy can lead to business improvement.
Shoppers love try before you buy (TBYB), a growing strategy that lets them order multiple items and send most of it back. It can boost ecommerce sales but also balloon return rates. So how do you take advantage of the TBYB opportunity while escaping the potential pitfalls that can kill your margins? An expert panel explains how.