John Lewis vs Dunelm, M&S, River Island and Matalan: Christmas returns until 31 January, and the catches

Buy a Christmas present in October and a standard 28-day returns policy has usually run out before anyone has opened it. That's why the extended Christmas returns window matters more than almost any other shop policy at this time of year. Some retailers have already published theirs for 2026, and some haven't yet. We've read the returns pages of five big high street names, John Lewis, Dunelm, M&S, River Island and Matalan, to see how long you really get, what it costs to send things back, and what happens when the person returning it is the one who received the gift.

We also tried to check Next, Boots, Argos and TK Maxx, but their websites blocked us, so we've left them out rather than guess.

The quick verdict

We scored each retailer out of 5 on four things: how long you get over Christmas, whether returns are free, how easy it is to return a gift, and how and when you get your money back. The overall score is the average.

John Lewis: the clearest Christmas promise

John Lewis normally gives you 30 days to return something unused, in its original condition, with proof of purchase. For Christmas, it says: "Any gift bought between 1st October 2026 and 24 December 2026 can be returned up until 23 January 2027." That means a present bought this week has more than three months.

Small items that can be posted or taken into a shop are free to return. Large items are only collected free if they're damaged or faulty; otherwise there's a £29.95 collection fee, which is worth knowing before you buy a bulky gift on spec. Refunds go back to the payment method you used, within 14 days of the return.

For gifts, John Lewis asks you to request a gift receipt in its shops so the recipient can return the present. The person with the gift can exchange it, or have the value refunded to a gift card. Gift receipts aren't available on every online order, though, so if you're buying online, check at checkout.

Exclusions include opened beauty products, underwear, bedding, perishable food, personalised items and opened gift cards.

Dunelm: the latest deadline

Dunelm's usual Change of Mind policy is 28 days from purchase. Its Christmas extension began on 12 October: "Anything purchased between 12th October - 24th December 2026 can be returned until 31st January 2027." That's the latest end date of the five, and it applies to anything you buy in that period, not only gifts. Proof of purchase is needed and exclusions apply.

The catch is the paperwork. Without a Dunelm receipt or order confirmation, Dunelm says it can't give a refund or exchange under that policy, and all refunds go back to the original payment method. If you're giving a Dunelm present, tuck the receipt somewhere safe or plan to do the return yourself. Its returns page doesn't say whether dropping off an online order costs anything, so we couldn't confirm that. Large furniture can't go back to a store and needs a home collection.

M&S: free and fast, but no Christmas extension yet

M&S gives you 28 days for online and in-store purchases, but only 14 days for Sale items bought online. When we checked, its returns page didn't mention a Christmas extension for 2026. M&S may add one later, so check again before you buy anything early.

Where M&S does well is cost and speed. Postal returns are free, through Evri or Royal Mail, and a return to one of its Fashion, Home & Beauty stores is processed within a day, with the money back in your account three to five working days later. There are limits. Clothing and homeware must go back to a main clothing and home store, not a Simply Food, and you usually can't post back an order worth less than £10.

Gifts can be returned, but if they're posted back, the refund goes to the original payment method. With a gift receipt, or to get a credit receipt instead, the recipient needs to take it to an M&S store in the UK. Items with hygiene seals and beauty products must be returned with the seals intact.

River Island: a longer window, paid in gift cards

River Island's standard policy is 28 days from delivery or store purchase, with items clean, unworn and with tags attached. Its returns page also carries a festive extension: purchases online and in store "from the 20th October can be returned for a refund to a gift card until the 14th January." The page doesn't name the year, so we'd confirm it in store or at checkout.

That extended window gives you a gift card, not your money back. Store returns are free. Returns by post or collection cost £2.95, taken off your refund. Gift recipients can return or exchange in store with a gift receipt or proof of purchase.

Matalan: cheap to return in store, not by post

Matalan refunds within 28 days of purchase in store, or 28 days from when you receive an online order, with proof of purchase and labels, tags and packaging intact. When we checked, there was no Christmas extension on its returns page.

Taking things back to a Matalan store is free, though not to its clearance stores. It says plainly that it doesn't offer free postal returns, so you'll pay the postage unless the item is faulty or damaged, and it doesn't do exchanges by post. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 14 days of your parcel arriving. Electrical goods and large home items can't go back to a store and need a collection.

Where each one wins, and where it falls short

• Longest time: Dunelm (31 January 2027), then John Lewis (23 January 2027).
• Cheapest to send back by post: M&S, with free postal returns. John Lewis is free for small items.
• Easiest for the person who got the gift: John Lewis, which offers exchange or a gift card with a gift receipt.
• Falls short: River Island's extended window only pays out as a gift card, and Matalan charges for postal returns.

FAQs

Do I have a legal right to return an unwanted Christmas present?

Not in a shop. Change-of-mind returns are a goodwill policy. Your statutory rights cover faulty goods: M&S, for example, explains that under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you can reject faulty goods within 30 days for a full refund. Online orders also come with a separate cancellation right under consumer law.

Can someone return a gift without a receipt?

Usually not easily. Dunelm says it can't refund or exchange without a Dunelm proof of purchase. John Lewis, M&S and River Island all point gift recipients to a gift receipt, so ask for one when you buy.

Will I get cash back or a gift card?

It depends. John Lewis refunds the buyer's payment method, but gives gift recipients an exchange or a gift card. River Island's festive returns are refunded to a gift card. Dunelm and Matalan refund to the original payment method.

Will M&S and Matalan extend their returns for Christmas?

Neither had published a 2026 extension on its returns page when we checked on 12 October. Until they do, assume 28 days and keep receipts.

Ways to save on Christmas shopping

Buy after a retailer's Christmas window opens so your returns deadline stretches into January, keep every receipt and ask for gift receipts, and return to a store where you can to avoid postage. Before you buy, check our pages for John Lewis voucher codes, Dunelm voucher codes, M&S voucher codes, River Island voucher codes and Matalan voucher codes.

Sources: John Lewis returns policy, Dunelm returns and refunds, M&S returns and refunds, River Island returns, Matalan returns and cancellations

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