Holiday return policies 2026: extended return windows by store

Updated October 19, 2026. Every policy below comes from the store's own website, read on Oct 19, 2026, 22:08–22:15 UTC unless the row says otherwise. If a store hasn't posted 2026 dates, we say "not announced" instead of guessing.

Return windows, exclusions and approval are set by each store and can change. Check the store's policy page and your receipt before you rely on a date.

Holiday return windows 2026 at a glance

Store links are plain links, not affiliate links. "2025" values are last year's dates from the store's own page (saved archive copies), shown for reference only.

Stores that have announced 2026 holiday returns

Walmart: bought Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2026, return by Jan 31, 2027

"Some exceptions may still apply, including wireless phones, protection plans, major appliances, Dyson products, food and beverages and select seasonal and luxury goods." Source: Walmart seller release note (Aug 31, 2026), checked Oct 19, 22:09 UTC.

Kohl's: bought Oct 4 – Dec 30, 2026 (Sephora at Kohl's: Oct 30 – Dec 30), return by Jan 31, 2027

Covers all Kohl's merchandise, including Premium Electronics and Watches, Jewelry and Mattresses. Source: kohls.com, checked Oct 19, 22:08 UTC.

Macy's: bought Purchases from Oct 5, 2026, return by Jan 31, 2027

"Most merchandise." Items must be in original, saleable condition with tags. Non-members pay a $9.99 return shipping fee plus tax on mail returns; store returns are free. Source: macys.com, checked Oct 19, 22:08 UTC.

Walmart's dates come from its seller-facing release note on an official Walmart site; Walmart's consumer help page blocked our check. Macy's main page gives the start date and the Jan 31, 2027 end date but doesn't print a last purchase date, so we don't add one.

Not announced yet: what happened last year

Best Buy

Not announced as of Oct 19, 2026. Last year: bought Oct 31 – Dec 31, 2025, return by Jan 15, 2026. Its policy page today shows the standard 15 days (60 days for My Best Buy Plus and Total members), 14 days for activatable devices and 15 days for holiday decorations. Source: bestbuy.com, checked Oct 19, 22:09 UTC.

Apple

Not announced as of Oct 19, 2026. Last year: bought products received Nov 12 – Dec 25, 2025 (Apple Store Online), return by Jan 8, 2026. Its returns page today shows the standard 14 calendar days from the date you received the item. Source: apple.com, checked Oct 19, 22:09 UTC.

Target

Not announced as of Oct 19, 2026. We couldn't verify last year's dates from an official page, so we don't show them. Its returns page says "Holiday & limited-time-only collections: Items may have modified return policies." Electronics and entertainment: 30 days. Apple and Beats products: 14 days. Target Circle Card holders get an extra 30 days on nearly all items. Source: target.com, checked Oct 19, 22:09 UTC.

Stores with no holiday extension

Costco

Costco's member conditions describe a "Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee" on merchandise and list no holiday return dates. Source: costco.com, checked Oct 19, 22:15 UTC.

Lowe's

"Christmas and Halloween items must be returned on or before the day of the holiday. Items purchased after the holiday are final sales." TVs and electronics: 30 days. Source: lowes.com, checked Oct 19, 22:10 UTC.

Home Depot: unverified, recheck pending. Its policy page blocked our Oct 19 rechecks, so we don't state its terms here; check its returns page directly.

Nordstrom: unverified. Its site blocks automated checks, so check its returns page directly.

Exclusions that catch people out

• Phones and activatable devices: Walmart lists wireless phones as an exception; Best Buy gives activatable devices 14 days.
• Apple products: Target gives Apple and Beats products 14 days; Apple's own page shows 14 calendar days.
• Holiday decor: Lowe's wants Christmas items back on or before the holiday, and Best Buy gives holiday decorations 15 days. Home Depot's decor terms are unverified (recheck pending).
• Sephora at Kohl's: its own window (Oct 30 – Dec 30 purchases, through Jan 31, 2027).
• Food and beverages at Walmart: listed among the exceptions.

Buying gifts now?

If the price drops after you buy, check our price match policies before you return and rebuy. Shipping a gift? See the carriers' holiday shipping deadlines 2026. Sale start dates are on our Black Friday 2026 dates page. For a tree, see Christmas tree deals, and remember the decor return limits above. Giving a gift card instead? See our gift card deals, checked against face value.

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FAQ

Which stores have extended holiday returns in 2026?

As of October 19, 2026: Walmart (most items bought Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2026, returnable through Jan 31, 2027), Kohl's (bought Oct 4 – Dec 30, 2026, through Jan 31, 2027) and Macy's (most merchandise bought from Oct 5, 2026, through Jan 31, 2027).

Does Best Buy have a holiday return policy in 2026?

Not announced as of October 19, 2026. In 2025, Best Buy purchases made Oct 31 through Dec 31 could be returned through Jan 15, 2026.

Does Apple extend returns for the 2026 holidays?

Not announced as of October 19, 2026; Apple's returns page shows the standard 14 calendar days. In 2025, eligible products received from the Apple Store Online between Nov 12 and Dec 25, 2025 could be returned through Jan 8, 2026.

Has Target announced a 2026 holiday return policy?

Not as of October 19, 2026. Target's returns page says holiday and limited-time-only collections may have modified return policies, electronics and entertainment items have 30 days, and Apple and Beats products have 14 days.

What does Walmart exclude from its 2026 holiday returns?

Walmart says some exceptions may still apply, including wireless phones, protection plans, major appliances, Dyson products, food and beverages and select seasonal and luxury goods.

How we check

We read each store's own policy page and save a copy with the UTC time. "Not announced" means the store's page had no 2026 holiday dates when we checked. If a page blocks our check, we say so rather than guess. The store's page always wins over ours.

— Sloane Glitchford, Price Bug Alerts