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- Target allows returns on most items within 90 days, with Target Circle members and card holders receiving an additional 30 days.
- Walmart offers returns on most items purchased between October 1st and December 31st through January 31st.
- Both retailers have exceptions to their return policies, including non-returnable items and items with shorter return windows.
While the cliché that “it’s the thought that counts” often applies for holiday gifts, sometimes what winds up under the Christmas tree just has to go back.
A National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail study found that $148 billion in holiday merchandise was returned in 2023.
Walmart and Target remain tent poles in holiday retail, with the former projecting a strong season in its most recent earnings call.
Retailers have been fighting for sales from inflation-weary customers in the shortened holiday season, putting greater importance on Black Friday deals and return flexibility.
Here’s what you need to know about Target and Walmart’s return policies.
Target return policy
Target allows returns on most items within 90 days. Target Circle members and card holders have an extra 30 days to return most items. The company allows returns on store-branded items for one year.
Exceptions to this policy include:
- Non-returnable items
- Trading cards and trading card accessories
- Open or defective collectibles
- Personalized items and digital downloads
- Opened/unsealed breast pumps
- Items eligible for exchange if opened
- Music, movies, video games and software must be exchanged for the same title
- Airbeds must be exchanged for a similar item
- Items that may have a shorter window for returns or exchanges
- Electronics and entertainment items, excluding Apple and Beats products, must be returned or exchanged within 30 days
- Apple and Beats products, including mobile phones, must be returned or exchanged within 14 days
- Mobile phones must be returned or exchanged within 14 days
- Holiday and limited-time-only collections may have modified return policies
Walmart return policy
Walmart offers returns on most items purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 31 or the standard 90 days after purchase.
Exceptions to this policy include:
- Non-returnable items
- Diabetes monitoring systems
- Pharmaceuticals
- Weapons and ammunition
- Gas Powered Recreational Vehicles
- Trading cards
- Precious Metals
- Items eligible for exchange only, if opened
- Unlocked opened wireless phones within 14 days
- Drones, Projectors within 30 days
- Air beds and air mattresses within 90 days
- Durable medical equipment within 90 days
- Items that may have a shorter window for returns or exchanges
- Most wireless phones are returnable within 14 days
- Most consumer electronics are returnable within 30 days
- Most electronic bicycles are returnable within 30 days
- Most PC components are returnable within 30 days