Shoppers who receive unwanted gifts this holiday season will have more breathing room before the usual 30-day return clock runs out. Major retailers including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, JCPenney, Nordstrom Rack and Old Navy have rolled out extended holiday return windows, with most beginning around Nov. 1 and some already active since October.
Here is a rundown of the policies consumers can expect to use this season.
Walmart
Items bought in-store or online between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026 can be returned through Jan. 31, 2027. The extension does not apply to online purchases from Walmart Marketplace sellers, which must still be returned within 30 days. Appliances, certain tech products and fine jewelry may also be excluded from the longer window.
Target
Most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 24, 2027, though Apple products carry an earlier deadline of Jan. 8, 2027. Target-owned brands such as Cat and Jack and Wondershop can be returned for up to a year.
Best Buy
Purchases made between Oct. 30 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15, 2027. Best Buy Plus and Total members get until Jan. 31, 2027. Items bought under a third-party contract — including cell phones, tablets, mobile hotspots and AppleCare+ plans — are not eligible.
Amazon
Most items bought between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026 can be returned through Jan. 31, 2027. Apple-branded products bought in the same window must be returned by Jan. 15, 2027. Free drop-off returns are available at Kohl’s and Whole Foods locations.
Macy’s
Merchandise bought at Macy’s or macys.com between Oct. 5 and Dec. 31, 2026 will be accepted for return through Jan. 31, 2027. Shipping and delivery fees are non-refundable. In-store purchases must be returned in person, while online orders can be returned by mail or in store. Dyson and Mac Duggal products are excluded and remain subject to the standard 30-day policy.
TJ Maxx and Marshalls
Items purchased in stores or online from Oct. 4 through Dec. 24, 2026 can be returned through Jan. 25, 2027 at both chains; TJ Maxx’s normal policy resumes for purchases made from Dec. 26 onward. Gift returns with a receipt are issued as store credit rather than cash. Marshalls purchases must be returned to a Marshalls location — not to sister stores HomeGoods, Sierra or HomeSense.
JCPenney
Purchases made in store or online on or after Oct. 1 can be returned or exchanged through Jan. 31, 2027. Shoppers need the original or gift receipt for a refund to the original payment method or a JCPenney Gift Card. Without a receipt, customers with ID may receive a Merchandise Return Voucher based on the item’s lowest selling price in the last 45 days.
Nordstrom Rack
Eligible purchases made between Oct. 5 and Dec. 24, 2026 can be returned by Jan. 18, 2027, or 40 days after purchase, whichever is later. Online orders can be returned by mail or to a Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom store; in-store purchases must go back to one of those locations.
Old Navy
Purchases made between Oct. 15 and Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 15. As with Marshalls, returns must be made at an Old Navy store — sister brands Gap and Banana Republic will not accept Old Navy merchandise.
As always, shoppers are advised to check each retailer’s website before heading to a store, since not every item purchased qualifies for the extended window, and policies can vary by product category.
