Kroger is of the top grocery stores in America, and with nearly 11 million customers shopping there daily, it’s understandable why people choose it as their preferred supermarket.
But what happens when you aren’t satisfied with the items you buy at Kroger and need to return them? This post will answer your questions about Kroger’s return policy – its terms and conditions, plus what to expect from them.
Contents
What’s Kroger’s Return Policy?
Kroger’s return policy states that you can return an item within 30 days of purchase or delivery for a full refund or exchange. Here, you’ll need to present the original receipt to receive a refund or exchange.
If you ordered the items online, you can return them in-store or via the mail. When returning items by mail, include the original packaging so that the company can identify the order and process the refund.
Kroger’s Return Policy Updates
During Covid-19
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kroger implemented some safety measures to protect its customers and staff. From July 13, 2020, Kroger reduced the return period to 14 days from the purchase date. As a matter of precaution, Kroger took the following measures to control the spread of Covid-19 among customers and staff.
- Equipping the pharmacy and checkout areas with protective plexiglass barriers
- Assigning its senior customers some dedicated shopping hours
- Limiting the number of customers entering the store at any one time
- Making sure all its staff members and customers wear their masks
- Having regular cleaning and disinfection exercises
- Providing enough space for social distancing
However, the return policy has since reverted to the standard 30 days from the date of purchase.
Online return policy
If you’ve purchased items online and want to return them, you can take them to your nearest Kroger store or mail them back. You’ll need the original receipt for a full refund. Also, the items should be in their original packaging and include any accessories bought together for Kroger to accept them.
What Items are Returnable to Kroger?
Kroger will accept returns for most items, with a few exceptions. Here’s a list of things that you can return to Kroger:
- Food items
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gift Cards
- Beauty products
- Cooking oils
- Deodorants
- Face tissues
- Household cleaners
- Jewelry
- Laundry detergent
- Milk including soy, rice, and almond milk (unopened)
- Napkins and paper towels
- Canned goods, non-perishable
- Pet food or pet supplies (unless damaged)
How to Return an Item to Kroger
You can return items bought at Kroger either in-store or via mail. Here’s how to do that.
Returning via Kroger Stores
Most Kroger items can be returned to nearby stores, regardless of whether you purchased them in-store or online. To find your nearest Kroger outlet, use the Kroger store locator.
To return an item, take it back to the nearest Kroger outlet with its original packaging and the receipt. Once there, a customer service representative will inspect the item to verify that it matches your receipt and then authorize a return or exchange.
Any item returned shouldn’t be tampered with or damaged. Make sure that you return the item within 30 days after purchase. Otherwise, Kroger may reject your item once this period elapses.
You can also return the item to any of the following Kroger group of companies—
- Dillons
- QFC
- Pay-Less Super Markets
- Ralphs
- Harris Teeter
- Food 4 Less
- Jay C Food Store
- Gerbes
- Baker’s
- Smith’s Food and Drug
- King Soopers
- Fry’s
- City Market
- Fred Meyer
Returning via Mail
If you’re not satisfied with the product purchased from Kroger, you can return it through the mail in a few simple steps.
- Log in to your account via Kroger.com or the Kroger app
- Click on the “Purchase History” tab
- Click on the specific order you purchased the item through
- Select the item that you need to return
- Give a reason for the return
- Choose whether you want a refund or to exchange with another item
- Print the return label (shipping label) and attach it to your item
- Return the item in its original packaging
- Send the item to the address printed on the shipping label through a courier service
After receiving your item, Kroger will verify its condition and eligibility. They’ll then process a refund through your original payment method. The refund process may take between 7-10 days.
Kroger Return Policy Exceptions
Kroger’s returns policy is relatively open, though it has some exceptions. The company won’t accept returns on opened, used, damaged, or perishable (expired) items. Below are some of the things that you can’t return at Kroger.
- Alcohol and tobacco – you can only return these items as per the applicable laws in your state regarding such items.
- Baby formula – you’ll be required to produce the original receipt of the item for Kroger to accept the return.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) items – you won’t get a refund for these items. Kroger only allows you to exchange the products with other or similar items of the same value.
- Perishable items – Kroger doesn’t accept returns for perishable items, such as food and flowers. This is because they could have been opened or used, making them unfit for resale.
Can you Return Items to Kroger Without a Receipt?
Kroger will accept returned items even without a receipt. If you return items worth $10 or less, they’ll refund the total amount in cash.
If the value of your return exceeds $10, Kroger will offer you a store credit of similar value. The store credit is eligible for any of the Kroger group of companies.
When returning items worth over $10, you’ll need to sign a return slip. You don’t need to show your ID at Kroger to make returns without a receipt.
Can You Return an Item to Kroger Without the Packaging?
Kroger’s return policy doesn’t let customers return items without the original packaging. If you’ve purchased something from Kroger, make sure you keep the packaging at hand. If you bought other accessories with the item, return them in the original packaging.
Are There Kroger Return Limits?
The Kroger bottle return policy states that refunds are limited to $25 per customer per day. So, if you’re planning on returning a lot of bottles, do it over a few days. All the bottles must be empty. They also must be unbroken and have the original labels on them.
Kroger’s bottle return hours vary by location. Most of the stores are open daily from 6 am -12 am, although some close by 10 pm. You can verify your nearest Kroger store’s operating hours using the store locator tool on their website.
When Will You Get Your Refund?
When returning a product in-store at Kroger, you’ll receive a refund immediately in the form you used when purchasing the item. Kroger will also refund all payments made through your credit or debit cards or SNAP/EBT cards. If you paid through a check, you’ll receive a cash refund.
If you return the item via mail, you may have to wait for 7–10 days for a refund to be processed. The delay is due to the time taken to deliver and verify the item at Kroger.
Does Kroger Have an Exchange Policy?
Kroger’s return policy allows you to exchange any item instead of asking for a refund. However, you’ll need to do it within the 30-day return policy window. Remember to carry the original receipt of the item and the packaging.
If you need help with your Kroger returns, you can call their customer service at 1-800-576-4377. You can reach a Kroger representative on the line from Monday to Friday from 7 am – 12 am and 7 am – 9.30 pm on weekends.
FAQs
Can you return a money order to Kroger?
If you’ve purchased a money order at Kroger and haven’t filled in any details yet, you may cancel it and get a refund. To return the money order, make sure that it isn’t signed at the back too.
Can you return a prescription to Kroger?
You can only cancel your prescription order at the time of processing. You cannot cancel or return the order during or after delivery. However, if the pharmacy makes a mistake on your prescription, you’re entitled to a corrected prescription or a refund.
Can you return gift cards to Kroger?
You cannot return Kroger gift cards after purchase, but you can contact their customer service center if you need help redeeming or using the card. Kroger Family of Stores gift cards can’t be returned, refunded, or redeemed for cash except as per the legal requirements.
Can you return diapers to Kroger?
Kroger stores will accept returns of diapers, but only in unopened packages. Once you open a box of diapers, Kroger considers them used, even if you don’t use any.
Can you return flowers to Kroger?
Flowers are among the items you cannot return to Kroger due to their perishable nature. Once you open their package, the flowers are considered compromised and are unsuitable for resale.
Can you return bad produce to Kroger?
Kroger will accept the return of bad produce if the customer is dissatisfied. Returns are allowed for a refund, exchange, or a Kroger gift card. They’ll also allow you to choose a different brand if you don’t like the Kroger store brand.
What’s Kroger’s return policy for food items?
Kroger stores typically allow returns of most purchases with a receipt. They do, however, have strict return policies on some items, such as perishables like meat or produce. These items may not be returnable due to their short shelf life.
Conclusion
Kroger’s return policy for online purchases is much like its in-store returns. You can return items within 30 days of purchase and get a refund for the returned items or exchange them for others. Ensure the items are in their original packaging and carry any accessories.
However, some items such as alcohol and tobacco, baby formula, WIC items, and perishable items have restrictions in the Kroger return policy. These products have strict guidelines concerning refunds or exchanges.
You can return an item purchased online by mail or in-store at any Kroger location. Returns made through the mail can take up to ten days to process before receiving a refund.
