Friday, December 16, 2011 will be a big day for online sellers. For the fourth year in a row, many online retailers will be offering free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve to their customers in the contiguous US. More than 2,000 online retailers like Best Buy, Gap, and eBags will be shipping orders placed that day at no additional charge. The event that FreeShipping.org founder Luke Knowles began for US online stores in 2008 will be observed in the UK and in Canada for the first time this year.
In 2010, the shopping event resulted in a history-making total of $954 million being spent online during the one-day event. That total was an almost 60% increase over the amount spent on Free Shipping Day in 2009.
While online outlets Etsy.com and Bonanza are participating in the event this year, eBay.com will not. Will this hurt eBay sales for that day? Simply put, it could. Frugal shoppers may limit their shopping to stores that are offering no cost shipping. Of course, if you have an eBay store that normally offers free shipping, it may not have a negative impact.
Take this opportunity to remind your shoppers that you offer free shipping. Include eye-catching reminders in your store of your free shipping offer. Let them know the last day to order and receive the item before Christmas. Take the time to reach out to your customers if you offer a newsletter or blog for your store. Use your friends, family, and fans to get the word out about your offers or items through Facebook.
Be prepared for the 2013 holiday. Free Shipping Day will most likely continue as an annual event. You can make sure you have promotional graphics and materials ready for next holiday season or you can choose to participate, as well. As I mentioned, this year eBay.com is not participating but some eBay sellers are. For more information about signing up, visit http://www.freeshippingday.com/merchant-sign-up/.
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