Online sites court procrastinators with speedy shipping

ATLANTA (AP) — Forget ordering online weeks in advance or dashing out to the drug store for a gift card on Christmas Eve.

Procrastinating holiday shoppers are finding a haven online as retailers ramp up expedited shipping and same-day delivery services.

Far from discouraging last-minute online shoppers, retailers are actually courting them.

Clothing retailer Madewell proclaims on its website that "procrastinators get the best deals" — 25 percent off everything, with orders as late as noon Thursday for holiday deliveries.

[...] the Seattle company has added warehouses to be closer to customers.

Package carriers such as FedEx and UPS have also increased staffing and hired outside contractors for the holiday season.

[...] the extra cost and vigilance is worth it to those seeking to avoid the hassles of jam-packed stores, crowded parking lots and frenzied crowds.

Research firm comScore predicts online shopping during the November and December holiday period will rise as much as 19 percent from last year to $81 billion.

ShopTalk's Mulpuru said she received a FedEx package in an unmarked van rather than a regular FedEx truck, a sign FedEx could be adding outside help for some deliveries.

Matthew Hall, a student in Denton, Texas, plans to take advantage of his student discounted-Prime membership and pick up movies and coffee-related items for his parents online.