A recent BizReport.com article has some welcome news for online merchants as well as very sound advice.

“Online retailers are, according to Shop.org’s eHoliday Study, expecting increased holiday sales this year and, in preparation, are attracting bargain-hungry shoppers with free delivery.”

This is good news! After a couple years of worried customers and lagging sales, this comes as welcome encouragement. This also tells us that while customers are willing to spend money, they are still looking at price as a deciding factor. Offering your customers an incentive, like free shipping, to buy your product could be the deciding factor your customer needs to make that important decision to complete their sale.

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The Holiday Season is fast approaching. It is time to turn our thoughts toward the ones we love and search for that perfect gift. 2Checkout Suppliers have a variety of gift ideas that that will be perfect for your gift-giving needs. Here is a brief list of suppliers from around the world ready to help you spread some Holiday Cheer!

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Here’s a look ahead at the 2009 US Federal Reserve Holidays that may cause our suppliers’ payments to be delayed a few days::

• February 16: President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• May 25: Memorial Day
• July 4: Independence Day
• September 7: Labor Day
• October 12: Columbus Day
• November 11: Veteran’s Day
• November 26: Thanksgiving Day
• December 24: Christmas Eve (not a Federal Reserve Holiday, but early closures may effect when payments are received)
• December 25: Christmas Day
• December 31: New Year’s Eve (not a Federal Reserve Holiday, but early closures may effect when payments are received)

For those who really like to plan ahead, the Federal Reserve Bank provides a look ahead all the way to 2012.

Summer House Natural Soaps of Cape Cod

Summer House Natural Soaps is a family business rooted in our 200-year-old house and barn on beautiful Cape Cod. It’s a great place to raise flowers, herbs, chickens, children, and of course, to make soap. We draw our inspiration and some of our fresh ingredients from our own gardens, the surrounding pine forests and cranberry bogs, and the sea coast just a few steps away.

All our soap is carefully made in small batches using the cold-process method which best preserves the beneficial qualities of our ingredients. Using the highest-quality vegetable oils, we mix our batters by hand and pour them into wooden molds which are wrapped in blankets for three days while the alchemy of saponification unfolds. After the soap sets, the bars are cut, cured for three weeks to further develop mildness, and beautifully wrapped in handmade papers. We think you will enjoy using our soaps as much as we enjoy making them.

Handmade soap makes a thoughtful gift for so many people: teachers, co-workers, aunts, uncles…you get the idea. We have a number of holiday gift basket combinations available, or you can contact us for a customized gift basket.  Also available are cranberry holiday soaps which are perfect for gift giving.

Click here to visit Summer House Soaps

Click here to apply to be a 2CO Spotlight.

The Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe

The Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe is located in downtown Red Bank, New Jersey. It is owned and operated by Candy Maker Amy Berry-Dunfee. Our goal at the Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe is to deliver high quality homemade chocolate products with the flavor of an old fashioned candy store.

We offer many unique product and gift options and can work with you to create any custom combination of our products for any occasion. From homemade caramel turtles to our famous “Red Bank Twist”, we can create something that will truly stand out and be a favorite of your family and friends at your next occasion.

We also cater to many corporate clients as an outlet for them to say “thank you” to their many loyal customers. Receiving a gift box or specialty tower from the Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe is a truly a unique and ideal way to deliver that message.

Click here to apply to be a 2CO Spotlight.