These 9 Stores Have Stopped Taking Returns

The next time you shop at a grocery store — or even beloved retailers like Target and Costco — make sure you really want the items you are about to purchase.

A clutch of retailers has outright suspended returns, or otherwise modified their return policies, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Grocery stores make up many of the chains that have modified their policies. Money magazine reached out to the following stores, and was told that returns — and generally, rainchecks — have been suspended:

• Aldi
• Hy-Vee
• Kroger
• Publix
• ShopRite
• Stop & Shop
• Whole Foods Market

Money says the changes were made to reduce the spread of the coronavirus:

“Stores want customers to be able to get in and out as soon as possible, and they most certainly do not want people standing in line in close proximity to each other waiting to return goods for a refund. What’s more, because the coronavirus can spread via contact with a contaminated item, returned goods could pose a risk to store employees.”

Two other well-loved retailers also have made changes to their return policies.

Since March 26, Target stores have stopped taking returns. The policy will last three weeks. Once returns begin again, shoppers will have an extra three weeks to return their items.

Over at Costco, you can still return most items. But there is a handful of key exceptions. As we recently reported, Costco says it no longer is accepting returns on:

• Toilet paper
• Bottled water
• Sanitizing wipes
• Paper towels
• Rice
• Disinfecting spray

Looking for ways to save money during these tough times? Many websites and services can trim costs on everything from shopping to purchasing insurance and cellphone plans. For more, check out “7 Ways to Cut Your Costs During the Coronavirus Crisis.”