Exact dates for Christmas returns as shops extend policies including M&S and Primark – see the full list

MARKS and Spencer and Argos are among the high street retailers that have extended their return dates for Christmas.

Getting a gift you don’t like is always a bit awkward, and it’s even worse if someone’s left out of pocket as a result.

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Luckily, most retailers understand that not every gift is perfect and extend their usual return policies over Christmas.

Argos, Boots and Tesco have the most generous policies so far, with a deadline of January 31, 2023 for returning gifts.

But these refund rights may have tighter restrictions over what you can be given in exchange.

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.

But 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 everything we know about this year’s extended Christmas refund policies so far and what you’re entitled to.

Marks and Spencer

Shoppers at Marks and Spencer can buy gifts now and still exchange or return unwanted gifts up until January 28, 2024.

This is for items bought online or in store between October 12 and December 24.

But for items bought from 25 December onwards, its normal refund policy will apply, which is within 35 days of purchase.

Primark

High street retailer Primark told The Sun that products bought on or after October 17 can be returned for a refund or exchange up to January 31, 2024.

You’ll need an original receipt to do this.

Matalan

Matalan’s Christmas returns policy went live on October 1 and will run until January 31, 2024.

Like M&S, it will only apply to items bought up until December 24.

Customers simply need to return the item with proof of purchase and in its original condition.

If a shoppers does not have either a receipt or credit card statement, they may not get a refund

Smyths Toys

Smyths has also extended its unwanted itmes returns policy for Christmas.

Items purchased from September 1 can be returned until January 31, 2024.

The Entertainer

Any items you bought between September 30 and December 24 can be returned up to 6pm on January 20, 2024.

You will need to show it with a valid till or gift receipt.

Argos

Christmas items purchased at Argos from Friday, September 29 through to Monday, 25 December can be returned right up until January 31, 2024.

The items need to be unused, in its original packaging with tags and with proof of purchase.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has the same policy as Argos and will also allow customers to return items up all the way up to January 31, 2024.

TKMaxx

Items purchased from TKMaxx from now to January 23, 2024 can be exchanged for either goods or a gift card of the same value.

If you bring back the item within 28 days of the date of purchase, along with a receipt and original payment method, you will get a full refund.

But if you return the item after 28 days, or if you have a gift receipt, you can get a gift card to the same value any time up to January 24.

Boots

For shoppers who bought a gift from Boots between October 1 and January 31, 2024, and got a gift receipt at the checkout, have until the end of January to return it.

You can get an exchange or credit onto a Boots gift card.

For all refunds with the original till receipt, the returns policy of 35 days remains the same.

Tesco

Supermarket giant Tesco is extending its normal 30-day returns policy over the festive period.

Any gifts bought between now and December 24 may be returned until January 31, 2024.

John Lewis

Shoppers at John Lewis can buy gifts now and still exchange or return unwanted gifts up until January 23, 2024.

It applies to items bought between September 27 and December 24.

If you need one, don’t forget to ask for a gift receipt in store or choose this option at online checkout.

Ikea

At Ikea, you can return any unopened products within 365 days, for a full refund, no matter the time of year.

It’s best to bring your proof of purchase – but if you can’t find it, staff instore will help you locate your digital receipt.

Monsoon Accessorize

Any Christmas gifts bought online or in a Monsoon Accessorize store between October 21 and December 24 can be returned up until January 15, 2024.

You just need to ask for a gift receipt so it can be exchanged or swapped for a gift card.

If returning an online order, the refund will be processed back to the original payment method up to January 15, 2024.

Office Shoes

Office has a slightly shorter Christmas returns window than other retailers.

Any items purchased on its website between Nov 1 and December 11 will have up to January 8, 2024 to be returned.

Meanwhile, we bust four common Christmas shopping myths that could be costing you.

Plus, we reveal when to go Christmas shopping in stores like Primark and B&M to get the best deals.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk