First they wanted free. Now they want fast. As shoppers turn to the convenience of cyberstores, they crave shipping that can keep up with their demands.
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For consumers, it’s one of the top things they’re looking for, and it’s a decision maker between buying at one site versus another, says Aaron Cheris, a partner in the San Francisco office of Bain and Co., a management consulting firm.
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Free shipping is expected, says Luke Knowles, founder of Free Shipping Day, a one-day, annual online-shopping event in December. On Dec. 16, 2016, more than 1,000 retailers offered free shipping and delivery by Christmas Eve.
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Retailers have answered the call for free and swift delivery in different ways. Under Amazon’s subscription model, members pay a fee to get free shipping. Wal-Mart and Best Buy provide free and fast shipping if you meet their conditions.
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Should you still pay for a subscription? It depends. Before you decide, consider how often you order and what you’ll get beyond shipping. Here’s what you should think about.
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Low Minimums
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If your orders meet minimum-purchase thresholds, you can get speedy and free delivery without a subscription from some retailers.
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Wal-Mart announced free two-day shipping on eligible orders of $35 and above on more than 2 million items in categories from food to electronics while eliminating its membership program in early 2017.
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Best Buy offers free two-day shipping on thousands of items for orders of $35 and up. Apple boasts free two-day shipping on most in-stock products.
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The first battle was (over) free, says Cheris, of Bain and Co. Now, consumers have their eyes set on two-day delivery. One of the problems with the old, ‘I’ll get it to you in three to five days’ is, well, which is it? Is it three? Is it four? Is it five? The nice thing about two is it’s not only…