Target Seeks Edge Over Wal-Mart With Free Holiday Shipping

Customers enter a Target Corp. store ahead of Black Friday in Mentor, Ohio, U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

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By Shannon Pettypiece and Christie Boyden

October 30, 2015 at 2:27 PM UTC

Updated on

October 30, 2015 at 9:04 PM UTC

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Target Corp. is bringing back free delivery for the holidays -- a strategy it hopes will give it an edge over Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is eschewing special shipping offers and encouraging online shoppers to pick up items at brick-and-mortar stores.

Target.com will offer free shipping and returns on all items starting Nov. 1, an enticement to get shoppers to buy holiday gifts on the site, the Minneapolis-based company said on Thursday. At Walmart.com, customers who spend less than $50 will either have to pay for shipping or arrange to have their items sent for free to a physical store.