Every Major Store's Holiday Return Policy for 2021

This year, many retailers are giving you till late January to return gifts.

Updated January 7, 2022

BY:
ALLISON MARTIN

DealNews Contributing Writer
Additional contributions by Julie Ramhold.

If only everyone could receive perfect holiday gifts that they didn't already own (and that the giver got a great deal on). But that's wishful thinking. When you're getting ready to return gifts, it's important to familiarize yourself with a store's return policy to make the process as easy as possible.

Read on for the essential info on holiday returns, from the fine print to look for to the specific policies you can expect from retailers. And know that you may need to hurry up — holiday return deadlines for many stores are fast-approaching.

What to Look for in a Return Policy

Not all return policies are equal. Here are the questions you should ask to identify those that stand out.

How Much Time Do You Have for Holiday Returns?

Yes, you're on the clock. You can't just sit on an item for six months, then walk into a store and expect to get your money back. Retailers will commonly give you at least 30 days to make a return, and some are more generous. (Of course, the more time you have, the better.) Certain stores give you 60 or even 90 days, but there's usually a cutoff for getting cash back — and you may have to settle for a gift card.

Check for specific product-return dates for purchases made from October through December.

Also, as shown below, some stores expand their return policies during the holiday season. So check for specific return dates for purchases made from October through December. Apple, for example, typically gives you 14 days for returns. For items ordered online and received between November 1 and December 25 of 2021, though, the return deadline is January 8, 2022.

Is a Receipt Required for Christmas Returns?

Hopefully, any Christmas delivery you got came with a receipt — that'll help! If you don't have your receipt handy when making Christmas gift returns, you may still be able to return an item in exchange for store credit. But some retailers will reject your return altogether.

What Items Can't Be Returned or Exchanged?

The list varies by retailer, but super-exclusive items, used items, and final sale products probably won't make the cut. So it's best to read the fine print or ask to confirm the return policy before you attempt a return.

Will You Need to Provide Identification?

Some retailers request a valid form of ID when you make a return. Why so? (Hint: It has nothing to do with who you are.) Those who shoplift will be less inclined to return an item for cash if their name is attached to the transaction. Plus, an ID requirement helps retailers track irregular return patterns.

47 Stores' Holiday Return Policies for 2021

What's the Best Buy holiday return policy for 2021? And what should you know about Target, Amazon, and Walmart holiday returns? We answer questions like these in the table below, but keep checking back! We'll update this piece as we learn more about 2021 holiday return policies.

Store	Holiday Return Policy	Notes
6pm	Standard policy applies; returns must be made within 30 days	See details here
Adorama	Deadline is 2/1/22 for purchases made from 10/15-12/25/21	See details here
Amazon	Deadline is 1/31/22 for most items purchased from 10/1-12/31/21	See details here
Apple	Deadline is 1/8/22 for purchases received from 11/1-12/25/21	See details here
Bath & Body Works	"Return anything, anytime for any reason"	See details here
Best Buy	Deadline is 1/16/22 for most items purchased from 10/18/21-1/2/22	See details here
Bloomingdale's	Standard policy applies; returns must be made within 90 days	See details here
Coach	Deadline is 1/17/22 for purchases made from 10/1-12/18/21	See details here
Columbia	Deadline is 2/1/22 for purchases made from 10/1-12/1/21	See details here
Converse	Purchases made from 11/1/21-1/4/22 can be returned within 60 days online or within 45 days in-store	See details here
Crate & Barrel	Standard policy applies; time frame varies by item type	See details here
Duluth Trading	Return within one year of purchase	See details here
Finish Line	Standard policy applies; returns must be made within 45 days	See details here
Foot Locker	Return within 45 days of shipment date	See details here
GameStop	Deadline is 1/15/22 for purchases made after 10/31/21 or 30 days from purchase date, whichever is longer	See details here
JBL	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/21	See details here
J.Crew	Deadline is 1/9/22 for purchases made from 10/20-12/9/21	See details here
Jos. A. Bank	Return within 90 days of purchase	See details here
Kohl's	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/25/21	Applies to premium electronics
L.L.Bean	Return within one year of purchase	See details here
Macy's	Deadline is 1/31/22 for select purchases made starting 10/5/21	See details here
Madewell	Deadline is 1/10/22 for purchases made from 10/20-12/10/21	See details here
Marshalls	Deadline is 1/25/22 for purchases made from 10/10-12/25/21	See details here
Microsoft	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made through 12/31/21	See details here
Mikasa	Return within 90 days of purchase	See details here
Neiman Marcus	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/25/21	See details here
Nike	Most purchases can be returned within 60 days	See details here
Nordstrom	Returns eligible on a case-by-case basis	See details here
Origins	Standard policy applies	See details here
Overstock.com	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/31/21	See details here
Petco	Return within 30 days of purchase or initial shipment date	See details here
PUMA	Deadline is 2/8/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/25/21	See details here
Ralph Lauren	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 10/19-12/23/21	See details here
shopDisney	Deadline is 1/18/22 for purchases made from 11/7-12/18/21	See details here
Sierra	Deadline is 1/25/22 for purchases made from 10/10-12/25/21	See details here
Staples	Deadline is 1/24/22 for purchases made from 11/8-12/24/21	Applies to electronic and furniture products
Target	Select purchases made from 10/1-12/25/21 have 14, 15, or 30 days to be returned	Refund period started on 12/26/21
The Children's Place	Deadline is 1/15/22 for purchases made from 11/1-11/30/21	See details here
Tory Burch	Deadline is 1/7/22 for purchases made in November 2021	See details here
Ugg	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made on or after 10/15/21	See details here
Under Armour	Items can be returned within 60 days of purchase	See details here
Vera Bradley	Purchases made from 10/1-12/1/21 can be returned through 1/31/22	See details here
Walmart	Select purchases made from 11/1-12/25/21 have less than 90 days to be returned	Return period started on 12/26/21
West Elm	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 10/15-12/26/21	See details here
Williams-Sonoma	Deadline is 1/31/22 for purchases made from 11/1-12/24/21	See details here
Yankee Candle	Standard policy applies	See details here
Zales	Deadline is 1/24/22 for purchases made from 10/15-12/24/21	See details here