Retailers Move Up Shipping Dates to Avoid a Repeat of Last Year's Problems

Here are some more findings from Shop.org's eHoliday survey:

• 20.6 percent of companies surveyed that plan to offer a free or upgraded expedited shipping promotion will give customers until Dec. 23 to redeem the offer, while 14.7 percent will cut that offer on Dec. 22 and another 14.7 percent will end their free expedited shipping promotions on Dec. 21; and
• 50 percent of retailers surveyed said they're comfortable offering express one-day or overnight shipping as late as Dec. 23 for a guaranteed Christmas delivery, while 30 percent have set Dec. 22 as the deadline for one-day express delivery.

It's become abundantly clear that "Christmas Creep" is here to stay — and consumers for the most part aren't happy about it. Retailers not only want to extend their busiest time of the year for as long as possible, but they're also intent on avoiding the shame that comes with not meeting their holiday delivery guarantees.