Stores With Extended Holiday Returns (2025): Who Gives You Until January 31?

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels

You bought the perfect gift in November. Your recipient opens it on December 25th. It doesn't fit. Now what?

Here's the good news: most major retailers extend their return policies during the holiday season, giving you anywhere from 45 to 90 days instead of the standard 30. The most common extended deadline for 2025 is January 31, 2026 for items purchased between November 1 and December 31.

But here's where it gets tricky. Electronics have shorter windows (sometimes just 14 days). Seasonal décor cuts off on December 26. Some stores charge return shipping fees. Others require receipts even for gifts. And a few retailers—surprisingly—don't extend their windows at all.

This guide solves that confusion. We've compiled a live-updated table of 50+ retailers' 2025 holiday return policies, complete with exact dates, major exceptions, fees, and links to official sources. Whether you're a shopper hunting for the most flexible return policy or a business owner benchmarking your competition, this is your reference.

Which Major Retailers Extend Holiday Returns to January 31, 2026?

Which stores have extended holiday returns to January 31? Many major retailers—including Macy's, Walmart (marketplace), Target, Amazon, Kohl's, and Nordstrom—typically extend returns to January 31, 2026 for purchases made November 1 – December 31, 2025. Always verify on each store's official policy page as dates vary and electronics usually have shorter 14-30 day windows.

The January 31 cutoff has become the industry standard because it covers the full holiday shopping season (Black Friday through Christmas) plus an extra month for gift recipients to try items and make returns. It's a psychological win: customers feel they have "plenty of time" without retailers extending into February (which increases fraud and depreciation risk).

Confirmed for 2025: Retailers With January 31, 2026 Extended Returns

For a complete breakdown of how to write your own extended return policy as a business owner, see our Holiday Return Policy Template (2025) with free downloadable templates.

Complete 2025 Holiday Return Policy Table (50+ Retailers)

This table is updated weekly as retailers announce their official 2025 holiday policies. Most confirmations come in late October/early November. Where 2025 dates aren't yet published, we've noted the 2024 pattern to give you a preview.

Which Stores Accept Returns Without Receipts?

Do holiday returns need receipts? Most major retailers accept returns without receipts during the holiday season, but they'll typically offer store credit or exchange at the lowest sale price instead of a refund to your original payment method. You'll need to show a valid government-issued ID, and retailers track no-receipt returns to prevent fraud (usually limiting you to 2-3 per year).

No-receipt returns are designed for gift recipients who don't have the original purchase documentation. Here's what you can expect:

Generous No-Receipt Policies (Store Credit or Exchange)

• Kohl's: Look up purchases by phone/email, or accept returns with ID for store credit. No limits posted publicly, but excessive returns flagged.
• Target: Account lookup first; if not found, store credit with ID. Limit: 2 no-receipt returns per year without ID lookup.
• Nordstrom: Extremely generous—will look up purchases by card, phone, name. Rarely denies returns even without receipt.
• Amazon: If you have an account, all purchases are logged. Returns without account require proof it was purchased from Amazon (packaging, gift receipt).
• Walmart: Store credit with ID; limit 3 no-receipt returns per 6 months. Flagged in system after that.

Strict No-Receipt Policies (Receipt Required)

• Apple Store: Receipt or order number required for all returns. Gift recipients need a gift receipt from the giver.
• Best Buy: Receipt required for refund; no-receipt returns get store credit at lowest price in past 30 days, with ID and limit of 3 per year.
• Home Depot / Lowe's: Account lookup first; without receipt, store credit only with ID and strict limits (varies by state).
• Wayfair: No returns without order number. Gift recipients must contact the giver for order info.

For detailed scripts on how to handle no-receipt returns in your own business, see our guide: Holiday Gift Returns Without a Receipt: Policy Language & Risk Controls.

Return Shipping Fees: Who Charges and How Much?

Return shipping fees are the hidden cost of extended return policies. Many retailers offer free returns on defective items but charge $5-10 for "changed my mind" returns. Here's the breakdown:

Free Return Shipping (All Returns)

• Nordstrom: Free return shipping on all methods (mail, in-store, curbside)
• Zappos: Free 365-day returns (owned by Amazon)
• REI: Free for members (1 year window); non-members pay shipping
• Amazon: Free for Prime members; non-Prime varies by item/seller
• Target: Free in-store; online returns free with prepaid label

Conditional Free Returns (Members, Defective Items, or Minimum Purchase)

• Walmart: Free in-store; mail returns free if seller provides label, otherwise customer pays
• Costco: Free for members on most items
• Kohl's: Free in-store; mail returns $5.99 (often waived with Kohl's Card)
• Gap/Old Navy: $7 return fee for non-Cardmembers; free for Cardmembers
• Macy's: Free in-store; mail returns may have a $9.99 fee (varies by item)

Paid Return Shipping (Standard)

• JCPenney: $8 return shipping fee
• Williams Sonoma / Pottery Barn: $7.95 return shipping
• Wayfair: Varies by item; large furniture can be $50-100+ return shipping
• Best Buy: Free in-store; online returns may have restocking fees (10-15% on opened electronics)

Common Exceptions: Electronics, Seasonal Items, and Final Sale

Even with extended holiday windows, three categories almost always have shorter return deadlines or outright exclusions:

1. Electronics (14-30 Days, Even During Holidays)

Why: Electronics depreciate fast, and retailers want to prevent "renting" (buying a TV for the Super Bowl, then returning it). Most stores cap electronics returns at 14-30 days regardless of the holiday extension.

Examples:

• Best Buy: Activatable devices (phones, tablets with cellular) = 14 days. Other electronics = 15 days standard, or extended to ~mid-January during holidays (check annual policy).
• Macy's: Electronics = 30 days, even if general merchandise gets 90 days.
• Apple Store: 14 days standard; extended to Jan 8 during holidays (2024 pattern).
• Walmart: Electronics = 30 days for seller-fulfilled; marketplace may vary.

Exception to the exception: Defective electronics usually get full manufacturer warranty (1 year), separate from return policies.

2. Seasonal & Holiday Décor (Cutoff: December 26)

Why: Christmas trees, lights, ornaments, and outdoor décor are worthless to retailers after December 25. They want them off shelves to make room for Valentine's/Spring inventory.

Examples:

• Home Depot / Lowe's: Live Christmas trees = 90 days (covers Nov-Jan), but artificial trees and lights = return by Dec 26 or early Jan (varies).
• Target: Seasonal décor follows general return window, but expect resistance after New Year's.
• Walmart: Seasonal items return by Jan 31, but stores may deny returns on opened string lights or used artificial trees.

Pro tip: Buy holiday décor in November, keep receipts and packaging. If you need to return, do it by December 30 to avoid the "sorry, seasonal items are final sale" argument.

3. Final Sale / Clearance Items

Why: Retailers mark items "final sale" when they're clearing inventory they don't plan to restock. These are often seasonal items, discontinued styles, or heavily discounted goods.

Where to look: Check the product page, receipt, or tags for "Final Sale," "As-Is," or "All Sales Final" language. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, watch for doorbusters labeled "no returns."

Gray area: Some stores make exceptions for defective final-sale items. If your $20 clearance sweater arrives with a hole, most retailers will refund or exchange even if it was marked final sale—but you have to catch it within days of delivery.

7 Tips to Maximize Your Holiday Return Window

1. Shop Early in the Holiday Window (Oct-Nov, Not Late Dec)

Macy's starts their extended window on October 6. If you buy on Oct 6, you have until Jan 31—that's 117 days. Buy on Dec 30? You get 32 days. Early shopping = longer runway.

2. Keep All Packaging, Tags, and Receipts Until January

Don't throw away boxes, tags, or packing slips until you're 100% sure the recipient is keeping the gift. Many stores require original packaging for full refunds (especially electronics).

3. Check the Return Policy BEFORE You Buy, Not After

Click "Return Policy" on the product page before checkout. Some items within the same store have different rules (marketplace sellers on Amazon/Walmart, for example). Screenshot or save the policy in case it changes later.

4. Use Store Credit Cards to Get Free Return Shipping

Gap, Kohl's, JCPenney, and others waive return shipping fees for cardholders. If you're buying $200+ worth of gifts, the card perk can save $20-40 in return fees. Just pay it off immediately if you don't want to carry a balance.

5. Ship Gifts Directly to Recipients (With Gift Receipts)

When shopping online, ship directly to the recipient and check "Include gift receipt" at checkout. This gives them a return path without revealing your account, and it saves you shipping twice. Downside: less control over presentation.

6. Start Returns in Early January (Not Late January)

Return lines are brutal Jan 2-5 (post-holiday rush), calm down Jan 6-15, then spike again Jan 25-31 (deadline panic). If you can, return items January 6-20 for the shortest wait times.

7. Track Return Deadlines on Your Calendar

Set a phone reminder for January 25: "Check all holiday gifts—return by Jan 31!" This gives you a week to find receipts, repackage items, and ship returns before the cutoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Holiday shopping is stressful enough without worrying about return deadlines. The good news: most major retailers have your back with January 31, 2026 extended windows for purchases made November–December 2025.

But the devil is in the details. Electronics have shorter windows. Seasonal décor cuts off after Christmas. Return shipping fees add up. And no-receipt returns come with strings attached.

Your best move? Bookmark this page and check back weekly as we update the table with newly announced 2025 policies. Set calendar reminders for January 25 so you don't miss the January 31 cutoff. And always verify on the retailer's official site before assuming—one wrong assumption and you're stuck with a $300 sweater that doesn't fit.

If you're a business owner reading this to benchmark your competitors, remember: customers shop where they feel safe. Matching or beating the January 31 standard tells them you're playing in the big leagues.

Continue Learning:

• Holiday Return Policy Template (2025): Free Downloads & Best Practices
• Easy Returns for Christmas Gifts: Scripts, Checklists & No-Receipt Paths
• Holiday Gift Returns Without a Receipt: Policy Language & Risk Controls
• Best Return Window After the Holidays: 30 vs 45 vs 60 vs 90 Days