Hundreds of retailers to offer free shipping on Dec. 17

More than 1,200 online retailers have agreed to offer free shipping next Monday for “Free Shipping Day.”

The annual event started in 2008, providing gift-giving procrastinators that final push to order gifts online with delivery by Christmas. Last year, more than 2,600 stores registered on freeshippingday.com with varying offers such as free shipping on all orders, promotions in addition to free shipping and free shipping with a minimum purchase.

With a week to go, more than 1,200 stores have signed on for this year's event but creator Luke Knowles said he expects there will be more than 2,000 retailers by the time the website goes live.

For more information, visit www.freeshippingday.com.