By David MacDonald I f Amazon pockets one in every two dollars spent online in the U.S. and 44 percent of American households are Amazon Prime users, what does that make Walmart’s ShippingPass? Shut down.
But don’t start selling off your WMT stock.
Walmart is still taking on the world’s largest internet-based retailer, but just on new terms. Well, sort of new terms.
Now, with no membership or enrollment required, Walmart is offering free two-day shipping on all orders $35 and up.
If you’re one of the 44 percent – and have been since 2015 – you’ll remember that Amazon’s minimum price for free shipping started at $35 before increasing it to $49 last year.
Well,Walmart’smove has forcedAmazon to turnback the clock.
All non-Prime users who place an order that includes $25 of books or $35 of other eligible items will receive free shipping. These orders have a shipping time of five-to- eight days. Amazon Prime users are guaranteed free two-day shipping on all eligible items. A standard Prime account is available for $99 and Prime Student for $49. Amazon offers monthly payment plans and a host of sign-up benefits, including Prime Video, Prime Reading, and Prime Music.
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APRIL 2017 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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