• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
RetailRetail

Here are the 2023 return deadlines and policies for most major retailers

By
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 25, 2023, 11:00 AM ET
Here's how long you've got to return that unwanted holiday gift.
Here's how long you've got to return that unwanted holiday gift. Getty Images

The 2023 holiday season was one that was dominated by bargain hunting. Unfortunately, good deals don’t necessarily mean good presents. If you’re stuck with something that doesn’t fit, something you already own or something that you just can’t stand, you’ve got a little time to return it for store credit (or, if you’re lucky enough to have gotten a receipt with it, cash back).

The clock is already ticking, though. And the length the window will stay open depends entirely on where the gift was purchased.

Policies vary by store, of course, and some gifts can’t be returned, for a variety of reasons, including if they were bought too early. Here are the deadlines you’re facing to return unwanted presents from holiday 2023.

Retail return policies for holiday 2023

Amazon

Return deadline of Jan. 31 for purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, 2023. (Jan. 15 for Apple products.)

Apple

Return deadline of Jan. 8 for purchases made between Nov. 3 and Dec. 25, 2023.

Bath & Body Works

Return anything, whether new, defective, or gently used, at any time.

Best Buy

Return deadline of Jan. 13 for most purchases made between Oct. 27 and Dec. 30.

Bloomingdale’s

Most items can be returned within 90 days of purchase.

Foot Locker

Return items within 45 days of their ship date—and note they must be unworn.

GameStop

You can return new items within 15 days of purchase, but only have 7 days for used items. That could make returns tricky for this retailer.

J. Crew

Return deadline of Jan. 9 for purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 9.

Kohl’s

Return items within 180 days, with exceptions for premium electronics and watches, which must be returned within 30 days of purchase. Also, beauty purchases have a 60-day window.

L.L. Bean

Items may be returned within 365 days of purchase.

Macy’s

Return deadline of Jan. 31 for any purchase made from Oct. 2 onward

Marshall’s

Return deadline of Jan. 25 for purchases made between Oct. 8 and Dec. 24.

Neiman Marcus

Return deadline of 30 days from purchase receipt.

PetCo

Returns accepted within 30 days of purchase.

Target

Most products (in new condition) can be returned within 90 days.  

Walmart

Return window for products purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 is open through Jan. 31.

Join us at the Fortune Workplace Innovation Summit May 19–20, 2026, in Atlanta. The next era of workplace innovation is here—and the old playbook is being rewritten. At this exclusive, high-energy event, the world’s most innovative leaders will convene to explore how AI, humanity, and strategy converge to redefine, again, the future of work. Register now.
About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Retail

charity
Arts & Entertainmentphilanthropy
Most Americans decide 2025 isn’t the year for charity, poll says
By James Pollard, Linley Sanders and The Associated PressDecember 24, 2025
8 hours ago
Trump speaks in front of a podium, with Marco Rubio behind him
RetailHolidays
Trump just declared Christmas Eve a national holiday. Here’s what’s open and closed
By Dave SmithDecember 24, 2025
19 hours ago
RetailLuxury
Move over caviar, the hottest luxury ingredient is crab
By Matthew Kronsberg and BloombergDecember 24, 2025
1 day ago
Spanx founder Sara Blakely
SuccessMost Powerful Women
6 ‘unhinged’ things Spanx founder Sara Blakely did that ultimately shaped the success of her $1.2 billion empire
By Sydney LakeDecember 23, 2025
2 days ago
beer
CommentaryFood and drink
Supporting moderation: beer’s structural advantage in the no-alcohol space
By Justin KissingerDecember 23, 2025
2 days ago
dept
RetailSocial Media
TikTok puts department stores in your phone. Macy’s and Nordstrom say not so fast
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressDecember 22, 2025
2 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Retail
Trump just declared Christmas Eve a national holiday. Here’s what’s open and closed
By Dave SmithDecember 24, 2025
19 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Trump turns government into giant debt collector with threat to garnish wages on millions of Americans in default on student loans
By Annie Ma and The Associated PressDecember 24, 2025
19 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Financial experts warn future winner of the $1.7 billion Powerball: Don't make these common money mistakes
By Ashley LutzDecember 23, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Obama's former top economic advisor says he feels 'a tiny bit bad' for Trump because gas prices are low, but consumer confidence is still plummeting 
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 24, 2025
13 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Law
Disgraced millennial Frank founder Charlie Javice hits JPMorgan with $74 million legal bill, including $530 in gummy bears and $347 'afternoon snack'
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 23, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
'When we got out of college, we had a job waiting for us': 80-year-old boomer says her generation left behind a different economy for her grandkids
By Mike Schneider and The Associated PressDecember 23, 2025
2 days ago