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Exploratory analysis of free shipping policies of online retailers

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  • Boone, Tonya
  • Ganeshan, Ram

Abstract

Online retailers (or Internet divisions of brick and mortar retailers) often offer shipping discounts (for example “free shipping on orders above $150”) to entice customers. The premise is that the retailer will attract more customers and these customers will likely buy more per order to avail the shipping discount, increasing total revenues and profits. In parallel, the retailer must also plan the replenishment of items sold during the free shipping promotion. This paper provides an exploratory model that analyzes (a) what form a retailer should use the free shipping promotion, and in parallel, (b) how the retailer should plan for replenishment from their suppliers.

Suggested Citation

  • Boone, Tonya & Ganeshan, Ram, 2013. "Exploratory analysis of free shipping policies of online retailers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(2), pages 627-632.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:143:y:2013:i:2:p:627-632
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2011.08.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Lewis & Vishal Singh & Scott Fay, 2006. "An Empirical Study of the Impact of Nonlinear Shipping and Handling Fees on Purchase Incidence and Expenditure Decisions," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(1), pages 51-64, 01-02.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Yuanchun & Shang, Jennifer & Liu, Yezheng, 2013. "Optimizing shipping-fee schedules to maximize e-tailer profits," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(2), pages 634-645.
    2. Ernan Haruvy & Boram Lim & Peter T. L. Popkowski Leszczyc, 2023. "The effect of surcharge on price in online auctions," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 1161-1182, June.
    3. Huang, Wen-Hsien & Shen, George C. & Liang, Che-Ling, 2019. "The effect of threshold free shipping policies on online shoppers' willingness to pay for shipping," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 105-112.
    4. Hu Wang & Di Li & Changbin Jiang & Yuxiang Zhang, 2023. "Exploring the Interactive Relationship between Retailers’ Free Shipping Decisions and Manufacturers’ Product Sales in Digital Retailing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Zhen Fang & Yi-Chun (Chad) Ho & Xue (Jane) Tan & Yong Tan, 2021. "Show Me the Money: The Economic Impact of Membership-Based Free Shipping Programs on E-Tailers," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 32(4), pages 1115-1127, December.
    6. Zhou, Wei & Zhang, Keang & Zhang, Ying & Duan, Yunlong, 2021. "Operation strategies with respect to insurance subsidy optimization for online retailers dealing with large items," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    7. Kapoor, Anuj Pal & Vij, Madhu, 2021. "Following you wherever you go: Mobile shopping ‘cart-checkout’ abandonment," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    8. T. M. Rofin & Biswajit Mahanty, 2021. "Fulfillment mode selection for Indian online sellers under free and flat rate shipping policies," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 263-296, June.
    9. Shao, Xiao-Feng, 2017. "Free or calculated shipping: Impact of delivery cost on supply chains moving to online retailing," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 267-277.
    10. Xu, Xun & Munson, Charles L. & Zeng, Shuo, 2017. "The impact of e-service offerings on the demand of online customers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 231-244.
    11. Xiaxia Ma & Wenliang Bian & Xiqing Yang & Shengnan Niu & Yongming Cai & Jie Guan & Wenbin Wang, 2022. "Online Retailer’s Contingent Free-Shipping Decisions under Large-Scale Promotions Considering Delayed Delivery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    12. Urvashi Tandon & Amit Mittal & Sridhar Manohar, 2021. "Examining the impact of intangible product features and e-commerce institutional mechanics on consumer trust and repurchase intention," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 31(4), pages 945-964, December.

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