Holiday Consumers Will Spend More to Get Free Shipping

It’s all about the shipping. Consumers are willing to do whatever it takes in order to get free shipping.

According to a Pitney Bowes survey, 60 percent of shoppers will increase their spending just to make the free shipping threshold. 88 percent are willing to wait 5 to 7 days if they get free shipping versus paying a fee to get their purchase in 1 to 2 days. Shipping coupons are very effective in getting people to spend money. 68 percent of online shoppers said they have used a promotional code or coupon to get a shipping discount.

Once they’ve made their purchase, consumers eagerly anticipate the arrival of their new goodies with nearly all shoppers (98 percent) tracking the delivery online. Shoppers have come to expect to have options when it comes to delivery and tracking methods. “Options are no longer a privilege during the shopping experience. This holiday season consumers will expect the ability to choose their preference,” said Christoph Stehmann, chief operating officer at Pitney Bowes.

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They want a variety of shipping options and also a variety of tracking methods. Most people use e-mails for tracking a purchase with mobile device tracking the second preferred method. Last choice is going back to a retailer’s Web site.

Since most Americans plan to shop online in the upcoming season, retailers may want to adjust their online experience so that the shopper gets these options. Pitney Bowes said 94 percent of consumers plan to shop from a computer this season, while 49 percent will make purchases from a mobile device.

When it comes to returns, things take a turn. 39 percent of consumers prefer to return packages in a nearby store versus 38 percent that are willing to use a shipping provider. The return preference also divides along gender lines, with women opting to go to a store, while men choose the shipping provider.

So, just when are people planning on doing all this online holiday shopping? The majority or 41 percent say they’ll be doing their shopping between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday.