Christmas gift returns are a sign of the holiday season, with retailers expecting post-holiday returns to increase by up to 35%.
4 tips for returning holiday gifts
If you didn’t get what you expected during your vacation, here’s your chance.
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Holiday gift wrapping is complete. Now, the returns begin.
The day after Christmas marks the beginning of holiday gift returns, which are expected to increase by 25% to 35% compared to the past six weeks or so, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks e-commerce.
The last week of December has historically been the busiest period for returns. One in eight returns during the 2024 holiday season will occur between Dec. 26 and Dec. 31, according to Adobe, which analyzed data from more than 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail sites.
The National Retail Federation estimates that approximately 19% of all online sales will be returned by 2025. According to NRF, total retail industry revenue is expected to reach $849.9 billion in 2025.
If returning a gift in the next few days is on your to-do list, here’s what you need to know.
Can I return gift items for free?
The usual. Most retailers, including Amazon, Target, and department stores like Walmart and Nordstrom, offer free returns on most items. Additionally, most retailers have extended return windows, typically through January.
However, some retailers charge restocking fees. For example, Marshalls offers free returns for items purchased in-store and returned in-store, but there is an $11.99 fee for returns by mail. TJ Maxx, which like Marshalls is also owned by TJX, has a similar return policy.
“Retailers are trying to shift many of the costs associated with returns onto consumers in order to reduce losses and encourage consumers to be more cautious when purchasing online,” Neil Saunders, retail analyst and managing director of market intelligence and analysis firm GlobalData, told NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.
More than half (53%) of merchants say restocking fees lead to lower overall return rates, according to an NRF study conducted in conjunction with UPS company Happy Returns. According to the survey, more than a quarter (26%) of merchants say they have had to adjust their return policies due to return fraud.
Other retailers that charge restocking fees include:
- Abercrombie & Fitch: For items returned by mail, a $7 refund fee will be deducted.
- american eagle outfitters: Online returns are subject to a $5 restocking fee.
- Best Buy: There is a $45 restocking fee for products that require activation, such as smartphones and tablets. Returns of items such as drones, digital cameras, and mobility devices are subject to a 15% “Restocking Fee.”
- DSW: In-store returns are free, but returns by mail are subject to an $8.50 handling fee.
- H&M: In-store returns are free, but returns by mail are subject to a $3.99 restocking fee.
- JC Penney: This is the fastest way to return most items and receive a refund or store credit. There is an $8 fee for online returns by mail.
- J. Crew: Items purchased online or by phone may be returned in-store, but returns by mail will be subject to a $7.50 handling fee.
- Mr. Cole: Items purchased in-store may only be returned to the store. You may return eligible online Kohl’s purchases by mail, but you will be responsible for shipping costs. If you don’t have a gift receipt, you can get a Kohl’s credit towards the lowest sale price for 13 weeks. A valid photo ID may be required.
- Land’s End: Some orders are eligible for free returns. However, there is a fee of $8.95 + tax for mailed returns.
- Macy’s: Store returns are free. Return shipping is free for Star Rewards members. If you are a non-member, a return shipping fee of $9.99 plus tax (if applicable) will be deducted from your refund.
- Urban Outfitters: In-store returns are free. Returns by mail are subject to a $5 “restocking fee.”
- Zara: Items purchased in-store or online may be returned to the store for free, but items returned to a store return location will be subject to a $4.95 restocking fee.
Here are the details of the major retailer’s return policy:
Amazon return policy
Amazon’s Returns Center allows gift recipients to return items that were marked as a gift at the time of purchase. Your digital gift receipt will include your 17-digit order number. Gift buyers must contact Amazon if they do not have an order ID or tracking number.
The gift recipient will be refunded the gift price in the form of an Amazon.com gift card. If you wish to exchange, you can reorder the desired item after you have received the gift card amount.
For the 2025 holiday season, most items purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2025 can be returned until January 31, 2026 (Apple-branded products purchased during that period can be returned until January 15, 2025). For the remainder of the year, Amazon.com and most Amazon.com sellers will routinely offer returns on items within 30 days of receipt of shipment.
Items that cannot be returned include gift cards, devices such as laptops, desktops, and Kindles that have been delivered for more than 30 days, some Amazon Fresh and grocery items, and hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and gases.
costco return policy
Items purchased at a Costco store must generally be returned within 90 days at a Costco warehouse return counter. Items ordered online can be returned at a Costco warehouse or through Costco.com.
Some items, such as Apple products, tires, tickets, and digital products, cannot be returned through Costco.com’s self-service return process.
target return policy
Target accepts returns for most items within 90 days and is extending the holiday return period for some items purchased during the holiday season, including electronics and entertainment (return by January 24), Apple and Beats products and phones (unlocked or prepaid by January 8).
Target Circle 360 members and Target Circle cardholders have an additional 30-day grace period to return most items. The company allows returns on store-branded products for one year.
Exceptions to our return policy include specialty gift cards, trading cards and trading card accessories, personalized items, and digital downloads.
Walmart return policy
According to Walmart’s return policy, Walmart accepts returns for most items purchased in-store or online from October 1st to December 31st, or within the standard 90 days after purchase. Marketplace seller participation varies.
In most cases, returns at Walmart are free. You can return your item in-store, by mail, or by returning it in-store without a restocking fee. Walmart also provides free prepaid return labels for online orders when you initiate a return through the Walmart app or website.
Some products have shorter return periods. For example, major home appliances must be returned within two days, and most smartphones and collectibles must be returned within 14 days.
Items that cannot be returned include diabetes monitoring systems, medicines, weapons, and ammunition.
contribution: Daniel Muñoz of NorthJersey.com and The Record.
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
