• November 18, 2009

Now that those early-bird consumers have Black Friday and CyberMonday etched in stone on their calendars, online retailers are hoping to add a big day for people who procrastinate, declaring Dec. 17 Free Shipping Day.

So far, more than 300 merchants -- including Toys R Us, JCPenney, Apple Store, Nike, Sears, Babies R Us, Eddie Bauer, PacSun, PetSmart, and Adidas -- have committed to the event, which offers free shipping on items, all guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.

Freeshipping.org, the event's organizers, hope to get as many as 500 signed up by the big day. The hope is that the event will extend the online shopping period, which peaks around Dec. 10, because people worry that their gifts won't arrive in time for the big day.--Sarah Mahoney