Target, Amazon Ratchet Up Last-Minute Delivery Options in Week Before Christmas

Retailers are stepping up their delivery perks in the week before Christmas, with Target announcing Monday guaranteed delivery by Dec. 24 for eligible orders placed by 11:55 CST p.m. Thursday. Express one-day shipping will be available Friday with varied shipping deadlines; it didn’t give a cost for expedited shipping. Target also pushed its Drive Up service, where a store employee delivers a product purchased online to a designated spot in a parking lot. And it promoted Shipt for two-hour delivery of groceries, decorations and gifts ordered at least two hours before closing for delivery in an hour or more. The time-saving services are intended to take the stress out of last-minute shopping, said Mark Tritton, chief merchandising officer. Tech deals at Target this week include a sixth-generation iPad starting at $249 ($80 off), third-series Apple Watch starting at $229 ($50 off) and $29 Google Home Mini ($20 off). The retailer also extended hours: Through Sunday, most Target stores will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight, 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Amazon, meanwhile, said Thursday that Prime members can shop until Christmas Eve with free same-day delivery and Prime Now. The e-tailer extended its free shipping cutoff to Tuesday to all customers, with no purchase minimum, for orders placed for delivery in time for Christmas.