Amazon.com expands use of free shipping with new denim store

The ink is barely dry on Amazon.com's purchase of online shoe retailer Zappos, but already Amazon is taking a page from the Zappos playbook. Amazon just launched an online denim shop with free shipping and free returns on jeans. Zappos, of course, developed a loyal following by offering free shipping and free returns on shoes and other apparel.

Amazon isn't going too far with this new policy. The free return on jeans is good for 30 days. Zappos, by contrast, offers free returns for 365 days. Amazon is calling it a limited promotion, though it doesn't give an end date.

Amazon already offers free shipping on some orders of $25 or more and for Amazon Prime members who pay a $79 annual fee. Amazon also has a shoe site, Endless.com, where it offers Zappos-style free shipping and free returns for a year.

But lately the ecommerce giant is doing more experimentation with free shipping. The company's U.K. website recently started offering free shipping on all products during the holidays.

Amazon's moves come as competitors such as Target and Borders roll out new free shipping offers, part of a wider ecommerce battle brewing this holiday season.

Will Amazon adopt other Zappos-like features, like putting a customer service number on its home page and turning its CEO into a prolific Twitter-user?

Follow my updates on Twitter.

About Eric Engleman

ERIC ENGLEMAN is senior technology staff writer for TechFlash and the Puget Sound Business Journal, covering online retail giant Amazon.com. Engleman tracks Amazon's increasingly complex business, spanning ecommerce, Kindle, cloud computing, and more. He's been covering technology and other industries for the Business Journal since 2003.

READ FULL BIOGRAPHY

206-876-5430

@ericengleman

Recent Sponsor Posts

Technology Tax Planning – Did You Take The Deduction?

Technology companies require professional advisors who can assist in all aspects of the business. The BDO Technology Practice provides a full range of services tailored to help address the changing needs of domestic and international companies. In addition to core audit and tax services, BDO professionals can assist technology companies with:

· Revenue recognition

· Business combination accounting

· R&D tax credits

· Compensation and benefits

· Business valuations

Backed by 38 national offices and an international network in 110 countries, we have the domestic and global footprint to serve growing technology companies. Contact sphilpott@bdo.com (audit partner), mreeves@bdo.com (audit partner), psmith@bdo.com (tax partner), tzambito@bdovaluation.us.com (valuation), tfiscus@bdo.com, Director, 206.624.2020

MORE INFORMATION

Attention Web Developers

Join the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program and get software, support and visibility – at no upfront cost. You’ll benefit from fast and easy access to current Microsoft development tools, platform technology and server products including Visual Studio, Expression Studio, Silverlight, Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Web.

Seattle-based Adhost is a WebsiteSpark hosting partner providing dedicated servers with free Windows Web Server 2008 and SQL Server 2008 licensing for three years to Web developers enrolled in WebsiteSpark. Servers are located in our secure data center with SAS 70 Type II certification, 24x7 technical support and 24x7 client access.

Join today.

MORE INFORMATION