TESCO and Primark are some of the high street retailers extending their product return dates this Christmas.
Receiving a gift you don’t like is never ideal and even worse if it means someone is left out of pocket as a result.
However, plenty of retailers extend their usual return policies over the festive period to allow for this.
Tesco, Primark, John Lewis and B&M are all offering shoppers wider returns windows for Christmas this year.
Bear in mind, refund policies vary depending on where you’ve bought an item from.
Under usual refund policies, where you have a receipt, most retailers will offer you a full refund – on card if that’s how you paid, or by cash.
Where you’ve got a gift receipt, you’ll usually be offered a gift card.
Where returns are made after the goodwill period, but before the Christmas returns period ends, gift cards or exchanges for something else are more common.
Whether you’ve bought items online or in-store can also have an impact on how you’re refunded.
Below, we round up what some of the bigger UK retailers are offering customers this year.
John Lewis said it has extended its usual time window for returns for the festive season.
The posh retailer said any gift bought between September 26 and December 24 can be returned up until January 23, 2025 if it is unwanted.
Shoppers will need to bring a valid receipt with them to get the refund.
Sainsbury’s and Argos, which is owned by Sainbury’s, is also extending its return window over the Christmas period.
Any items purchased from September 27 to December 25 can be returned right up until the end of January 31, 2025.
Fashion retailer New Look is offering shoppers an extended returns window on any products bought in-store or online.
Any items bought between October 28 and December 8 can be returned until the end of January 5.
For any sale products bought in-store or online, New Look’s standard 14-day return policy will apply.
Meanwhile, any sale items bought in-store are exchange-only.
This means shoppers can only return an item and replace it with another item.
M&S has boosted the length of time shoppers can return any unwanted products over the Christmas period.
Any purchases made online or in-store between October 10 and December 24 can be returned up until January 26, 2025.
For any purchases made from December 25 onwards, M&S’ normal refund policy will apply.
M&S said the tweaked Christmas returns policy does not apply to sale items.
Tesco is extending its normal 30-day returns policy to any gifts purchased between October 1 and December 24.
Any purchases made between this period can be returned up until January 31, 2025.
The retailer said the extended policy applies to any products bought via Grocery Home Shopping and Marketplace.
Primark said any items bought between October 15 and January 3, 2025, can be returned up until January 31, 2025.
The retailer said the returns date has been printed on all till receipts as a reminder to shoppers.
From January 3 next year, Primark will go back to its standard 28-day return and exchange policy.
Bargain discounter B&M said customers buying any Christmas item in-store from November 3 have until January 31, 2025 to return it.
The retailer said proof of purchase, like a receipt, will need to be provided.
German discounter Lidl said any non-food products bought from November 4 can be returned up until January 6, 2025.
After January 6, its standard 30-day returns policy will apply.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
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