Still have holiday gifts you have not gotten around to returning? It is time to stop slacking: Many major return deadlines are coming up fast.
After Christmas and into January is often the busiest time of the 12 months for retail returns, and return activity within the U.S. has been elevated recently. At the top of last 12 months, retailers estimated that 16.9% of 2024 sales can be returned, up from just over 8% in 2019, in keeping with a National Retail Foundation (NRF) report.
Within the age of online shopping, consumers can find yourself buying things they don’t seem to be even sure they need, and shoppers may purchase multiple items or sizes with the plan to return those they do not like. Return rates were expected to be 21% higher for online shopping in comparison with the general annual return rate, in keeping with the report.
Retailers have tried to handle the rise of returns with policy changes. Corporations have shortened their return windows or added fees to attempt to slow the flood of returns and offset related costs.
That said, return policies are sometimes relaxed for the vacations. Gift-giving leads to very large volumes of returns every 12 months, because it’s generally harder to buy other people than for yourself. Plus, gift recipients may prefer to simply have some extra money.
10 major holiday return deadlines
If you happen to received holiday gifts that do not suit your body or don’t match your style, you have to be aware of upcoming return deadlines. Do not get stuck with unwanted items simply because you were unaware of a policy.
Here’s a fast breakdown of 10 major retailers’ holiday return deadlines:
Amazon
Most Amazon items bought in November and December have a return window ending Friday, Jan. 31. There could also be exceptions, like Apple products, which had a Jan. 15 return deadline.
Walmart
Walmart’s prolonged holiday return window ends Jan. 31. This date applies to most Walmart and Walmart.com purchases from October through December. Generally, Walmart has a 90-day return window for in-store purchases, nevertheless it doesn’t apply to all items.
Goal
Goal has a 90-day return window, nevertheless it doesn’t apply to electronics and other select items. The retailer prolonged a vacation return deadline for electronics to Jan. 24 this 12 months, but that date has passed. Goal-brand items will be returned inside 12 months with a receipt.
Costco
The wholesale retailer doesn’t normally adjust its return policy for the vacations, but that is since it’s considered one of the vital generous to start with. Be mindful that Costco has a 90-day return window for electronics.
TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop has a Feb. 10 return deadline for items purchased between Nov. 13 and the top of December.
Abercrombie
Abercrombie items purchased in November and December have a special return deadline of Jan. 31, in keeping with the brand’s return policy.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom doesn’t have an outlined time window for returns. Its return policy simply states that returns are handled on a “case-by-case” basis.
Macy’s
The department store is accepting returns until the top of the month (Jan. 31) for many purchases dated Oct. 7 through Dec. 31.
Kohl’s
Most Kohl’s items will be returned inside a 180-day window, but electronics are an exception. For the vacations, Kohl’s prolonged a special Jan. 31 return deadline for electronics. It applies to items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25.
Sephora
Sephora has an prolonged holiday return window that ends Jan. 31, nevertheless it only covers items purchased from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1. Refunds are often only available inside 30 days, but you’ll be able to still receive a credit if the item is latest or gently used.
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