Big-Name Retailers Outline Shipping and Return Policies for Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, shopping becomes a necessity for many. To make things easier for consumers, several major retailers have outlined their shipping and return policies.
**Amazon**
Prime members can enjoy same-day delivery on qualifying orders in certain ZIP codes. Additionally, Prime members can take advantage of one-day and two-day delivery without any minimum purchase requirements. Non-Prime buyers will also find various shipping options available on the order page for each specific product.
Regarding returns, Amazon allows most items purchased between November 1st and December 31st to be returned until January 31st, 2026. However, some exceptions apply, such as Apple products, which must be returned by January 15th, 2026.
**Apple**
There is no official holiday shipping policy announced yet from Apple. Last year, however, it offered free delivery of in-stock items that hadn’t been engraved by Christmas Eve if ordered before 9PM ET on December 21st. The company also offers free next-day or two-hour delivery from local stores for an additional fee.
As for returns, purchases made after December 25th are subject to the usual terms and conditions. These items must be returned within 14 calendar days of the initial purchase date. For Nest Thermostats and Verizon contract phones, there is a longer return window of 30 days.
**Target**
Target offers free two-day shipping on orders over $35 or with the use of Target RedCard. Same-day delivery costs $9.99 per order but comes included with a Target Circle 360 membership ($10.99/month or $99/year). The availability of same-day delivery varies based on the item and location.
The retailer offers an extended return policy for electronics and entertainment items purchased between November 1st and December 24th, allowing returns until January 24th, 2026. Mobile phones and Apple products must be returned by January 9th, 2026.
**Walmart**
Walmart has not yet published its official holiday shipping policy. However, the retailer typically offers free next-day delivery in eligible ZIP codes, as well as free two-day delivery for orders over $35 or with a Walmart Plus subscription.
The company does offer extended return policies for many items purchased between October 1st and December 31st, with most items able to be returned until January 31st, 2026. Some exceptions apply, such as smartphones.
**Other Retailers**
Dell offers free standard shipping on most products with no minimum purchase requirements. Expedited shipping options are also available for an additional fee. Dell allows purchases made between November 1st and December 29th to be returned until January 15th, 2026.
GameStop offers free shipping on orders over $35 and same-day delivery in certain locations if ordered from the local store at least three hours before closing time.
Sonos provides free shipping on all products, with in-stock items typically shipped the same day. The company also offers two-day or express shipping options for an additional fee. Sonos has a 30-day return policy with free return shipping available under certain conditions.
Overall, consumers can take advantage of generous shipping and return policies from these major retailers to make their holiday shopping experience more convenient and hassle-free.
As the holiday season approaches, shopping becomes a necessity for many. To make things easier for consumers, several major retailers have outlined their shipping and return policies.
**Amazon**
Prime members can enjoy same-day delivery on qualifying orders in certain ZIP codes. Additionally, Prime members can take advantage of one-day and two-day delivery without any minimum purchase requirements. Non-Prime buyers will also find various shipping options available on the order page for each specific product.
Regarding returns, Amazon allows most items purchased between November 1st and December 31st to be returned until January 31st, 2026. However, some exceptions apply, such as Apple products, which must be returned by January 15th, 2026.
**Apple**
There is no official holiday shipping policy announced yet from Apple. Last year, however, it offered free delivery of in-stock items that hadn’t been engraved by Christmas Eve if ordered before 9PM ET on December 21st. The company also offers free next-day or two-hour delivery from local stores for an additional fee.
As for returns, purchases made after December 25th are subject to the usual terms and conditions. These items must be returned within 14 calendar days of the initial purchase date. For Nest Thermostats and Verizon contract phones, there is a longer return window of 30 days.
**Target**
Target offers free two-day shipping on orders over $35 or with the use of Target RedCard. Same-day delivery costs $9.99 per order but comes included with a Target Circle 360 membership ($10.99/month or $99/year). The availability of same-day delivery varies based on the item and location.
The retailer offers an extended return policy for electronics and entertainment items purchased between November 1st and December 24th, allowing returns until January 24th, 2026. Mobile phones and Apple products must be returned by January 9th, 2026.
**Walmart**
Walmart has not yet published its official holiday shipping policy. However, the retailer typically offers free next-day delivery in eligible ZIP codes, as well as free two-day delivery for orders over $35 or with a Walmart Plus subscription.
The company does offer extended return policies for many items purchased between October 1st and December 31st, with most items able to be returned until January 31st, 2026. Some exceptions apply, such as smartphones.
**Other Retailers**
Dell offers free standard shipping on most products with no minimum purchase requirements. Expedited shipping options are also available for an additional fee. Dell allows purchases made between November 1st and December 29th to be returned until January 15th, 2026.
GameStop offers free shipping on orders over $35 and same-day delivery in certain locations if ordered from the local store at least three hours before closing time.
Sonos provides free shipping on all products, with in-stock items typically shipped the same day. The company also offers two-day or express shipping options for an additional fee. Sonos has a 30-day return policy with free return shipping available under certain conditions.
Overall, consumers can take advantage of generous shipping and return policies from these major retailers to make their holiday shopping experience more convenient and hassle-free.
I think some of these retailers are being kinda too lenient with returns 
Amazon is already offering free same-day delivery for Prime members, and now they're letting people keep those items until Jan 31st? That's like, giving them a whole month to realize what they bought 
And Target is charging $9.99 for same-day delivery? That's just crazy! What's the point of even having a minimum order requirement if you're gonna charge that much extra 
so I was like thinking about how crazy it is that we're already getting into the holiday shopping season 
and everyone's just like "oh, okay, here are our shipping and return policies" 
but seriously though, it's kinda cool that all these big-name retailers are being super generous with their shipping and return options 
especially for Prime members on Amazon, same-day delivery is a total game-changer 
Like Amazon's same-day delivery policy is a game-changer, especially for Prime members. And it's awesome that Target offers free two-day shipping on orders over $35 or with their RedCard.
, but now i feel way better knowing what i can expect with my orders... like amazon has same day delivery for prime members which is insane 
. And Target's free two-day shipping on orders over $35? That's just crazy talk! Who needs a credit card when you can have fast delivery like that?
. Walmart, Dell, and GameStop - you guys are the real MVPs! No more scrambling around with refunds or exchanges... it's all so civilized now!
. Apple, what's up with no official holiday shipping policy? And why do your return windows keep changing like that? It's enough to drive you crazy! 
. With all these generous policies in place, it's going to be a breeze for everyone involved. Happy shopping, and may the odds be ever in your favor! 
. Until then, I'll be over here stressing about whether or not my holiday gifts will arrive on time 
. like, who doesn't love getting their stuff fast? especially if you're one of those people who can't even be bothered to leave the house on black friday #TargetSquad #ShipIt
The big retailers have really come around when it comes to making shopping easier for us consumers. I'm glad I don't have to deal with the hassle of going to physical stores anymore 
It feels like they're playing hard to get, you know? I mean, last year was a one-time thing, so I'm not expecting them to give away free gifts this time around either. 
And Walmart's free next-day delivery with no minimum purchase requirements is a nice touch too... but only if you're a Walmart Plus subscriber, which seems like an extra fee 
.
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. Target's RedCard deal seems fair enough, but Walmart's not being too clear about its own policies – is that a case of corporate PR spin? 
but honestly, who doesn't love free 2day shipping tho? 
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. And if you do need to return something, having a longer window for returns is super helpful too 
.
and what's up with target wanting you to pay for same-day delivery like thats not already expensive enough 