Etsy Unveils Free Shipping Plan For Orders Over $35

Etsy has revealed plans to offer free shipping on orders $35 and over, according to a release by the company.

Etsy said it’s going to give sellers all the tools and support they need to make the new initiative happen, and that free shipping will soon become a core of the Etsy experience.

The company said the plan will help to win more customers in what it calls an ever-evolving retail landscape.

“Shoppers come to Etsy to discover over 60 million special and unique items that often cannot be found anywhere else. Yet we hear that high shipping prices often deter shoppers from completing their purchases,” said Etsy Chief Executive Officer Josh Silverman. “By making free shipping the norm on Etsy, rather than the exception, we’ll connect more people with items that they love. Ultimately, we believe this will help increase marketplace conversion and order value, encourage repeat visits, and drive more sales for Etsy sellers.”

The new push isn’t just confined to sellers in the United States, either. Sellers all around the globe will be able to participate and allow for free shipping to U.S. customers.

Also, starting on July 30, Etsy will give priority to items that offer free shipping in search results, meaning that these are items shoppers will see first when they’re shopping. The marketing for the free shipping endeavor will start in September, with the ultimate goal of driving more traffic to the eCommerce site as a whole.

“Buyer expectations continue to evolve, and we want to help sellers adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. Free shipping is now table stakes when it comes to online shopping,” said Kruti Patel Goyal, senior vice president. “We realize that offering free shipping may be a big step for some of our sellers, and we will be there to support them every step of the way. We are providing numerous tools, resources, and customer support touchpoints to make it easy for them to set up a guarantee and understand how free shipping can help them reach their business goals.”