Still shopping for Christmas gifts? Walmart announces shipping deadlines for delivery by Christmas

Kelly Tyko

| USA TODAY
Tips for shopping more safely this holiday seasonMany of us are doing more online shopping. Here are 5 tips to reduce risk.Walmart has announced the last moments shoppers can place online orders for both delivery and store pickup by Christmas.The announcement comes as consumers face a Tuesday deadline to ship gifts themselves using ground shipping from FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service.Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. local time is Walmart’s deadline for free two-day shipping on eligible items while Dec. 21 is the deadline for free next-day delivery.Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many retailers have earlier-than-usual deadlines as more people turn to online shopping versus in-store shopping, creating a logjam for shipping companies and delivery delays.Christmas shipping deadlines: Tuesday is last day for UPS, FedEx, USPS ground shipping for Christmas Eve delivery. But will your gifts be late?Target holiday hours: Target extends store hours for holiday shopping ahead of Christmas, reduces coronavirus senior hoursThere’s still time to order holiday gifts. With contactless curbside pickup and more online delivery options, we’re making it easier and more convenient for customers to shop, save and get their groceries and gifts fast and in time for the holidays. https://t.co/sl8t4bG4IF pic.twitter.com/lRcAjzcG7M— Walmart Inc. (@WalmartInc) December 15, 2020For some retailers, like H&M, Lego, Bath & Body Works, the deadlines have passed.USPS and Target have also warned consumers of delays. The first COVID vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech is now shipping and could cause even more delays, experts say.Adobe Analytics recommended buying gifts before Dec. 11, saying it predicts shipping costs will begin to rise after that date, “erasing some of the value consumers are getting from holiday deals.”Scott McCall, Walmart U.S. executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, said in a blog post Tuesday that there is still time and options.”We’ve added thousands more items for contactless curbside pickup and delivery,” McCall wrote. “Many great gifts, from toys to apparel, can now be added to weekly grocery orders through the Walmart app.”A $35 order minimum applies to get free delivery or pickup on most orders. For curbside and express delivery orders, shoppers need to check local stores for availability.Walmart Christmas deadlinesFree Two-Day Delivery: Order eligible items until Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. local time.Free NextDay Delivery: Order eligible items until Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. local time.In-store pickup: Order by Dec. 23 at 4 p.m. local time for in-store pickup on Dec. 24.Pickup and delivery: Slots are available to book through Dec. 24, pending availability at local stores. Customers should use the Walmart app to check for local store availability.Express Delivery: Order by 1 p.m. local time through Dec. 24 for delivery in two hours or less, pending availability.Popeyes has a new dessert: Chocolate Beignets have arrived at restaurants nationwide — but only for a limited timeCannibal sandwich scare: Wisconsin officials urge families to pass on holiday tradition of eating raw meatFollow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

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