As a seasoned retail industry expert and self-proclaimed "picky shopper," I know that a store‘s return policy can make or break the shopping experience. A recent survey by UPS found that 58% of consumers consider the return policy very important when deciding where to make a purchase. And according to e-commerce platform InvestPro, 66% of shoppers check the return policy before even clicking "add to cart."
That‘s why I was pleased to discover that Target, the 8th largest retailer in the US, has a fairly generous and straightforward return policy for clothing items. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know to make a successful return, whether you have a receipt or not, tags or no tags. I‘ll also explore some of the reasoning behind Target‘s policy and how it stacks up against competitors.
The Basics of Target‘s Clothing Return Policy
Target‘s official policy allows customers to return or exchange most unopened clothing items within 90 days of purchase, as long as they are in new condition with original tags and packaging. Receipts or other valid proof of purchase are required for a full refund; without them, you may receive a merchandise return card at the item‘s lowest recent price.
Here‘s a quick overview of what qualifies for a return:
- New, unused, unworn clothing with original tags
- Purchased from Target in-store, on Target.com, or the Target app
- Within 90 days of purchase date on receipt
- With original receipt, packing slip, digital barcode, or other proof of purchase
Seems easy enough, right? But as a frequent shopper, I know there‘s often more nuance to the return process. For example, what if you took the tags off but never actually wore the item? I‘ll get into more of those details below.
Returning Clothes to Target Without Tags
We‘ve all been there – you get home from a shopping trip, take the tags off a new shirt, and then realize it doesn‘t quite fit right or coordinate with the pants you had in mind. Or maybe you just had second thoughts about the purchase. No worries, it happens! The good news is, Target will often accept tagless returns as long as the clothing shows no obvious signs of wear.
According to Target‘s website, clothes returned without tags "may be accepted at the store manager‘s discretion." In my experience, as long as the item still looks new and unused, you shouldn‘t have much trouble exchanging it or getting a refund. Some signs that might disqualify a tagless return:
- Deodorant marks, makeup stains, or odors
- Missing buttons, broken zippers, or snags
- Creases or wrinkles from being folded or hung up
- Fuzz/lint, pet hair, or other signs of being washed
To maximize the chances of your tagless return being approved, I recommend keeping clothes in their original condition as much as possible until you‘re sure about keeping them. Avoid trying them on multiple times, and don‘t toss the hang tags in the trash right away. If you‘re concerned about the fit, consider buying two sizes and returning the one that doesn‘t work – just make sure to keep that second item in new condition with tags attached.
Proof of Purchase: Receipts and Alternatives
Of course, having a receipt makes the return process much smoother and guarantees you‘ll get a full refund of the purchase price. If you paid with a credit or debit card, Target can usually look up your in-store purchase in their system even without a receipt. Just bring the card you used and be prepared to show a valid ID.
For online Target.com purchases, you should receive an email receipt as well as a packing slip in your shipment. Either of these can serve as proof of purchase for a return. If you placed the order from a logged-in Target.com account, you can also access a digital receipt barcode and order history to show the cashier.
Provided you have a receipt or other proof or purchase, you‘ll generally receive your refund in the original form of payment, whether that was cash, credit card, or RedCard. The exception is third-party gift cards like Visa or Mastercard gift cards, which can‘t be reloaded – in that case, you‘ll be issued a Target gift card for the amount.
Target‘s Clothing Selection and Sales
While Target has carried clothing and accessories for decades, they‘ve made a significant push in the last 5 years to become a fashion destination. In fact, the Apparel & Accessories category now accounts for roughly 20% of Target‘s annual sales. According to their most recent financial report, that translates to over $20 billion in clothing revenue alone.
Target has achieved this growth by curating a mix of trendy, affordable in-house brands in addition to partnerships with well-known names in fashion. Some popular Target-exclusive brands include:
- A New Day – modern women‘s basics and business casual
- Universal Thread – denim-focused casual wear
- All in Motion – stylish activewear for the whole family
- Wild Fable – trendy juniors collection
- Goodfellow & Co – men‘s essentials with a classic/prep aesthetic
On the national brand side, you can find names like Levi‘s, Champion, Reebok, Bongo, and Mossimo at Target, along with designer collaborations like Lilly Pulitzer, Hunter, and Victoria Beckham. Target has also had success with limited-edition collections tied to hit movies and shows, such as Stranger Things, Harry Potter, and Disney franchises.
While these limited collections help drive publicity and urgency (items tend to sell out fast), it‘s worth noting that they may be subject to different return policies than Target‘s usual 90-day window. Always check the fine print on your receipt or email confirmation to confirm the return deadline for special capsule collections and designer partnerships.
Why Target Allows Easy Returns
As a retail analyst, I believe Target‘s 90-day any-reason return policy for clothing is a smart strategy for customer loyalty. Giving shoppers a full 3 months to make a return shows confidence in the quality and value of their products. It also encourages shoppers to buy more items with less hesitation, knowing they can easily bring things back if needed.
Think about it: Let‘s say you‘re looking for a dress to wear to an upcoming wedding. You find two options you like at Target, but you‘re not 100% sure which will be more comfortable or photograph better. With the 90-day policy, you could buy both dresses, try them on at home, maybe even wear one to the event, and still return the other a week or two later. That kind of flexibility is a huge selling point.
Compare that to other mall retailers that only allow 30-day returns, charge restocking fees, or require original packaging for a full refund. Suddenly the Target dress seems like a much safer bet. And if the store associate gives you trouble about the return? Just politely mention their 90-day policy and stand firm.
The Business of Processing Returns
Accepting lots of returns may be good for customer satisfaction, but it does come at a cost for retailers. According to the National Retail Federation, over $428 billion in merchandise was returned to US retailers in 2020. That‘s more than the entire GDP of Israel! For every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $106 million in returns.
Target doesn‘t disclose exactly how much they lose to returns each year, but in their SEC filings they estimate return rates of 8-10% of net sales. Based on their 2022 revenue of $106 billion, that means somewhere between $8-10 billion worth of products get returned to Target annually. Clothing returns likely make up a big chunk of that, since apparel items tend to have higher return rates than other categories like food or cleaning supplies.
To efficiently process returns and get products back on shelves, Target has a network of over 40 distribution centers across the US. Online returns shipped by customers are routed to these DCs, while in-store returns are shipped from the store back to a central facility. There, items are sorted into different dispositions:
- Resellable – can go back on store/website for purchase
- Damaged/Defective – may be sent back to manufacturer
- Salvage – sold to discount retailers or liquidators
- Donate – given to charity partners like Goodwill
- Dispose – recycled or landfilled if no other options
Each of those outcomes carries different costs for Target, from shipping and repackaging to write-offs and disposal fees. But the company has decided that those costs are worth the long-term benefits of customer loyalty. Target actually has an above-average "customer satisfaction" score compared to other discount stores, ranking #12 out of 21 companies in the 2022 American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Tips for Easy Clothing Returns at Target
To recap, here are my tips for making your Target clothing returns as quick and painless as possible:
- Keep your original receipt, packing slip, or digital proof of purchase
- Return clothes within 90 days, with original tags if possible
- If you don‘t have tags, be sure item still looks new and unworn
- Bring the credit/debit card you paid with in case they need to look up the transaction
- Know that final-sale/clearance items usually can‘t be returned, so check signage carefully
- For online returns, print the free return shipping label from your Target.com account
- If you receive damaged/defective merchandise, contact Target Guest Services right away
- Be polite but confident if a store associate gives you trouble about a qualifying return
I hope this guide has been helpful in navigating the ins and outs of Target‘s clothing return policy. As long as you keep your items in good condition and hold onto those receipts, you should have no problem getting a refund or exchange at your local Target store. Happy shopping!
