Kroger has established itself as one of the leading retail chains in the U.S., selling a variety of products such as dairy, groceries, meat, produce, etc., and offering high-quality customer service.
However, what if you’re not satisfied with an item purchased from Kroger and need to return it? Can you get a refund or an exchange? Read on to find out what I’ve discovered about Kroger’s return policy!
Kroger Return Policy
Kroger accepts returns of most items within 30 days after purchase or delivery. Customers can return items in-store with the original receipt to receive a full refund or exchange or return items purchased online via mail. Items must be returned in the original packaging.
If you want to learn more about making returns to Kroger without a receipt, how to return products to Kroger in-store and online, and much more, keep on reading!
How Long Do You Have To Return Items To Kroger?
Kroger’s return policy allows customers to return most items within 30 days after purchase or delivery. Note that the items must be in the original and unused condition at the time of return.
Additionally, customers should bring along either a paper or digital receipt to receive the refund via their original mode of payment. Customers will be refunded in cash for purchases made via checks.
Can You Return Items To Kroger Without A Receipt?
Kroger will still accept returns of items bought at its stores, even if customers cannot present the original digital or printed receipt for their purchases.
However, in this case, customers will get a Merchandise Gift Card for items costing more than $10.00 which can be used to purchase any other item in-store and requires customers to sign the return slip.
For products with a value of less than $10.00, you will receive a refund in the form of cash.
Note that you will not be required to present a government-issued photo ID at Kroger if you want to return any items without the receipt.
Can You Return Items To Kroger Without The Packaging?
Unfortunately, Kroger does not allow customers to return items without the original packaging.
So if you have purchased an item from Kroger, make sure you retain the packaging until you are absolutely sure that you will not be returning the item to Kroger later on.
Keep in mind that this also applies to any additional accessories that came with the product (if any), which must be returned together with the packaging.
How Can You Return Items To Kroger In-Store?
You can return most items to a nearby Kroger store, regardless of whether you bought the items in-store or online.
To locate the Kroger store closest to your location, you can use Kroger’s Store Locator.
Simply bring the item in its original packaging along with the original receipt and mode of payment to the customer service desk or checkout counter at the store and request the employee to initiate it.
Note that you must return the items within 30 days after the purchase date. Once that period is over, Kroger reserves the right to deny any returns.
Additionally, you can return items bought from any of Kroger’s family of store chains, including:
- Fred Meyer
- Ralphs
- Fry’s
- Gerbes
- Food 4 Less
- City Market
- Pay-Less Super Markets
- Harris Teeter
- King Soopers
- Jay C Food Store
- Baker’s
- QFC
- Dillons
- Smith’s Food and Drug
How Can You Return Items To Kroger Via Mail?
You can return products purchased online at Kroger.com via mail by following these steps:
- Log in to your Kroger.com account and select the item you wish to return from your order history
- Provide the reason for making the return and select whether you want a refund or an exchange
- Print the return shipping label and attach it to the item, making sure it is safely kept inside the original packaging
- Ship the package through any courier service to the address given on the shipping label
Once Kroger receives your item, it will verify its eligibility and then process your refund through your original mode of payment.
Note that it may take around 7-10 days for the refunded amount to reflect in your account.
Are There Any Restrictions On Returning Items To Kroger?
Kroger generally accepts returns for all kinds of items purchased from its family of stores, but it places the following restrictions on the return of several products:
- Baby formula: These will only be returned if customers can provide the original receipt
- Alcohol and Tobacco: The eligibility of these items depends on the local state law regarding the return of alcohol and tobacco products
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) items: Kroger will only exchange these items for equivalent food packages (i.e., you cannot get a refund for these products)
You can call the Kroger Customer Service helpline at 1-800-576-4377 to resolve any queries or confusion relating to returns.
This line is available from 7 a.m. – 12 a.m. EST from Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.
How Will You Receive The Refund For A Returned Item At Kroger?
When you are making a return in-store, the refund will be processed on the spot via the mode of payment you used at the time of purchase.
So if you used a check or cash to pay for the order, you would receive a cash refund instantly, and if you paid using a debit/credit card, the refund transaction would be initiated right away by the employee.
For returns made via mail, it may take up to 7-10 days for the refund to be processed and to reach your account, owing to the additional time taken by the delivery and evaluation of the item by Kroger.
Does Kroger Have An Exchange Policy?
Kroger’s exchange policy is in line with its return policy, i.e., if you have issues with the item you bought, you can exchange it instead of claiming an outright return.
This policy is customer-friendly since all you have to do is state the reason for the exchange.
If you are looking to learn more, you can see our related posts on if Kroger sells stamps, if Kroger price matches, and if Kroger accepts WIC.
Conclusion: Kroger Return Policy
Kroger accepts returns of most items within 30 days after purchase or delivery. You can return items purchased in-store or online to a nearby Kroger location with the original receipt for a full refund or exchange, or mail back an item purchased online from Kroger.com.
Note that the item must be in its original packaging for Kroger to accept the return. If you do not have the original receipt, Kroger will offer a merchandise gift card for items costing more than $10.00 and a cash refund for items costing less than that.
