NEW YORK — Best Buy, the nation’s largest consumer electronic chain, will drop all restrictions for free shipping for the holiday season, underscoring big changes in what customers have come to expect when they shop.

The Minneapolis company typically requires customers to spend at least $35 in order to receive free shipping.

However, starting Sunday that restriction has been removed as Best Buy aims to compete aggressively with online leader Amazon.com as well as other players like Wal-Mart and Target.

About 47 percent of consumers polled said free shipping or shipping promotions are important factors in their decision on where they shop, according to a survey of 7,276 consumers conducted earlier this month for the National Retail Federation.

Amazon set the standard with its two-day delivery for members of its Prime loyal program, who pay $99 a year.

Best Buy’s free-shipping program runs through Jan. 2.