As a retail and consumer expert and a picky Target shopper myself, I know how important a store‘s return policy can be. It offers peace of mind and flexibility, especially for those who tend to have buyer‘s remorse or trouble making up their minds (raises hand). Target has long been known for a customer-friendly return policy, but they‘ve made some changes in recent years to cut down on return fraud and abuse. Don‘t worry, their return policy is still one of the best in the business! To help you navigate it like a pro, I‘ve put together the ultimate guide to making returns at Target, complete with insider tips I‘ve picked up over my years of shopping and working in the retail industry.
Target‘s Standard Return Policy
Target‘s standard return policy allows customers to return or exchange most unopened items in new condition within 90 days of purchase for a refund or merchandise return card. Some exceptions with shorter periods include:
- Electronics and entertainment items – 30 days
- Apple products – 15 days
- Opened music, movies, video games, software – Exchange only
- Opened/defective collectibles or trading cards – No returns
- Open or used airbeds – No returns
Meanwhile, products from Target‘s own brands like Threshold, Project 62, Goodfellow & Co, A New Day, and Cat & Jack get a 1-year satisfaction guarantee. If you‘re not happy with the quality, you can return these items within a year of purchase for a full refund. This is a huge advantage of shopping Target‘s private label brands.
To make a return, simply bring the item along with your receipt or other proof of purchase (packing slip, gift receipt, digital barcode, or original form of payment) to the Guest Services counter at any Target store. You‘ll need to show a valid, government-issued photo ID for any returns without a receipt and your annual return dollar amount will be limited.
Target Return Hours
Target‘s posted return hours are usually the same as the regular store hours, which are:
- Monday-Saturday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
However, it‘s always a good idea to check with your local store as hours can vary by location, especially in urban areas or around the holidays. A quick search using the Target Store Locator will give you the most up-to-date information.
To avoid long lines at Guest Services, I recommend making your returns during off-peak hours like weekday mornings. If you only have time to pop in on a weekend, aim for first thing when the store opens and the crowds are thin. Late evenings can also be less busy, but be mindful of closing time and don‘t cut it too close. Plan to be at Guest Services at least 15-30 minutes before closing so you have plenty of time to complete the return without keeping employees past their scheduled shifts.
The Financial Impact of Returns
Processing returns isn‘t cheap for big box retailers like Target. In 2021, Target reported $16.2 billion in returns across all categories, representing about 11.2% of net sales. This was actually an increase from 2020, when industrywide returns were down almost 20% as more consumers held on to purchases due to economic uncertainty.
Here‘s a look at Target‘s annual return numbers over the past few years:
| Year | Returns (Billions) | % of Net Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.24 | 11.2% |
| 2020 | $13.18 | 9.9% |
| 2019 | $16.58 | 10.7% |
| 2018 | $17.62 | 11.5% |
Source: Target 2021 Annual Report
As you can see, returns account for a significant chunk of change that comes directly out of Target‘s coffers. And these numbers only tell part of the story. For every item returned, Target has to cover the cost of:
- Shipping or transportation back to a fulfillment center
- Inspecting, cleaning, and repackaging the item for resale
- Discounting, liquidating, or disposing of unsellable items
- Staffing for Guest Services and reverse logistics roles
- Combating and investigating return fraud
According to a study by Apriss Retail, the total cost of merchandise returns in the U.S. hit $761 billion in 2021. For the retail industry as a whole, returns cost an average of 10.3% of total sales. At 11.2%, Target‘s return rate is slightly higher than the industry average. Other big box retailers like Walmart and Costco don‘t disclose their total return numbers, making direct comparisons difficult.
To cut down on return costs and make the process more efficient for customers and employees alike, Target has invested heavily in its reverse logistics technology and supply chain in recent years.
How Technology is Changing Target Returns
If you haven‘t made a return at Target lately, you might be surprised at some of the new technology and tools in use at Guest Services. One of the most helpful updates in recent years has been Target‘s ability to look up past purchases made with a credit/debit card or your Target Circle phone number. No more digging through your inbox trying to find that digital receipt from 3 months ago!
Target has also rolled out express return lanes and self-service kiosks at some stores to speed up the process for those with simple returns. Just scan the barcode on your item and drop it in the return bin. You‘ll get your refund credited back to the original form of payment instantly. For bigger ticket items that need inspection, there are still staffed counters to assist you.
On the back end, Target has implemented an AI-powered scanning system that can rapidly sort and route returned items to the next best destination, whether that‘s back to store shelves, to an online fulfillment center, to discount retailers, or to the landfill as a last resort. This system processes more than 95% of Target‘s returned merchandise, greatly reducing costs from manual sortation. Machine learning models also help to detect possible fraudulent returns before they‘re completed.
While not directly related to returns, Target‘s recent acquisition of the delivery startup Deliv could have big implications for its reverse logistics down the line. By bringing more last-mile fulfillment services in-house, Target may be able to process and restock returns even faster in the future. It‘s all part of Target‘s strategy to use its stores as "hubs" that can efficiently handle both forward and reverse logistics.
Tips for Making Returns at Target
Now that you know the ins and outs of Target‘s return policy, here are some tips to make your returns go as smoothly as possible:
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Keep your receipts – Whether it‘s a paper or email receipt, always keep your proof of purchase until you‘re sure you want to keep the item. If you have a Target account, you can also track your purchases in the Target app.
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Bring your ID – To combat return fraud, Target now requires a government-issued photo ID for all returns and exchanges without a receipt. Your info will be stored in a secure third-party database to track your return activity.
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Return items in new condition – Whenever possible, return items in their original packaging with the tags still attached. Target may deny a return on visibly used or damaged items or those missing key components.
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Know your timeframe – Don‘t wait too long to make a return, especially on electronics. If you miss the 90-day window, Target is not obligated to accept the return. Around the holidays, Target usually extends the return window for items purchased Nov. 1 through Dec. 25 until Jan. 31st or later.
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Check your refund method – Refunds will be credited to your original form of payment first. If you paid with cash or a check, you may be issued a merchandise return card to use on a future purchase instead. You can request to receive cash for amounts under $10.
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Don‘t abuse the system – Target tracks your yearly return dollar amount and reserves the right to deny returns from those suspected of return fraud or abuse, like "renting" items or repeated returns of used merchandise. There‘s no hard and fast rule, but if you‘re returning the majority of your Target purchases, you may trigger a warning.
A Note on Target‘s Price Match Policy
In addition to returns, Target is known for a generous price match policy that includes matching competitors‘ prices and its own online prices in-store. If you find a lower price on an identical in-stock item at select competitors like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy, or at Target.com, you can request a price match at the time of purchase or within 14 days after purchase.
For price matching after purchase, bring in your receipt and proof of the lower price to Guest Services. The store will refund you the difference on a merchandise gift card that you can use on a future Target trip. If you‘ve already made a return and found a lower price, I recommend rebuy and returning vs. a straight price match to ensure you‘re refunded back to your original form of payment.
Target.com Returns and Third Party Sellers
As Target aims to compete with Amazon, its online marketplace has opened up to more third party sellers in recent years. While most items sold and shipped by Target.com have the same generous 90-day return policy as in-store purchases, items from Target Plus Partners may have different return windows and policies.
Always check the specific return policy on the item page before making a purchase from a Target Plus Partner. You initiate the return for these items through your Target.com account as well, but it may have to be sent back to the third party seller vs. your local store.
Recent Changes and Updates
Target reviews and updates its return policy on an annual basis, so it‘s important to stay current. Here‘s a rundown of some of the latest changes as of 2022:
- All store-owned brands now fall under a 1-year return window, expanded from the previous 90 days. This includes brands like Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, Pillowfort, and Opalhouse in addition to the previously mentioned.
- Shortened return window for electronics from 45 days to 30 days. Apple products used to have a 30 day window, and are now 15 days to match Apple store policy.
- Expanded the holiday return window so items purchased as early as Oct. 1 can be returned through Jan. 31st.
- Doubled the return window for Target RedCard holders from an extra 30 days to an extra 60 days beyond the standard return policy.
I always recommend checking Target‘s online return policy for the most up-to-date info on specific items and categories before making a large purchase.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, Target aims to provide a best-in-class return experience that keeps customers coming back time and again. By putting themselves in the customer‘s shoes and constantly innovating the returns process, they‘ve managed to maintain an incredibly lenient and low-friction policy that shoppers love.
Yes, returns cost Target a pretty penny, but they also build invaluable customer loyalty. 97% of Target shoppers say they are more likely to make another purchase after a positive or easy return experience. And 89% of customers say a retailer‘s return policy is an important factor in their purchase decisions.
Whether you‘re a regular Target shopper or an occasional red-and-khaki wearing guest, I hope this guide has armed you with everything you need to know to make easy and informed returns at Target. Happy shopping!
