Best Buy to Offer Free Shipping on All Purchases Through Holidays

The holiday shopping — er, shipping — war is on.

Best Buy Co. Inc., the nation’s largest electronics retailer, is the first major player to get out ahead with its announcement Thursday that it will offer free shipping on online orders starting Sunday through Jan. 2. In doing so, the Richfield company will waive the $35 minimum threshold it usually requires on its website to qualify for free shipping.

Last year, Minneapolis-based Target Corp. made waves when it offered free shipping during the holidays. The company has tested sitewide free shipping a couple of times since then, but it hasn’t said yet whether it will repeat it this holiday season.