Amazon offering same-day delivery as late as Christmas Eve

Amazon.com Inc. said Wednesday that it will be delivering packages until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 24 through its Prime free same-day and one-day shipping, which is now available in more than 8,000 cities and towns, and Prime Now, available in more than 30 cities. "[I]n 2016, the last Prime Free Same-Day order from Amazon.com delivered in time for Christmas was ordered at 10:23 a.m. on Christmas Eve," the company said in a release. "[It] was delivered to a Prime member in Richmond, Virginia at 2:42 p.m." All customers can get free shipping for Christmas delivery if they place orders by Dec. 15. Dec. 18 is the last day for standard shipping for Prime members. Dec. 22 is the last day for two-day shipping for Prime members. And Dec. 23 is the last day for one-day shipping for Prime members. Holiday shoppers can also try Prime for free for 30 day for free expedited shipping. Amazon shares are up 50.5% for the past year while the S&P 500 index is up 17.3% for the period.

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