As part of Amazon and Kohl's ongoing partnership, customers will be able to return items purchased on Amazon via any Kohl's outlet beginning this July.
Kohl's retail stores will take back items ordered from Amazon, just like it did in an earlier pilot program. Users won't be required to box up their items, either. The retail chain will handle all aspects of shipping, including getting the items back to one of Amazon's return centers. The best part? It won't cost a single cent.
All Kohl's Stores Will Soon Accept Amazon Returns
Again, this isn't necessarily new. Kohl's has been offering this method since 2017, but only at around 100 of its retail locations. In July, however, it'll expand to every single Kohl's store.
Kohl's say it'll accept all "eligible" Amazon purchases. It's not clear which items are deemed ineligible under the program, but The Verge speculates it's mainly items that are too large — or too illogical — to bring to Kohl's. Also not accepted are items that come from third-party amazon marketplace sellers.
"I think the returns initiative is one where we can really leverage each other's strengths," said Kohl's CEO Michelle Glass in an interview with CNBC. "I think one of the benefits of being in brick and mortar and having an online business is to accommodate easy returns." She noted that "80 percent of America lives within 10 miles of a Kohl's."
If returning items at Kohl's is completely free, then the retail chain obviously doesn't generate profit from offering this convenience. So what does it get out this partnership? Well, for starters, there's a higher chance of people buying something from Kohl's when returning items. That opportunity alone might have been enough for Kohl's to agree to this partnership.
How To Drop Off Amazon Returns At Any Kohl's Store
To return something from Amazon, the process begins on Amazon's website. Simply choose Kohl's as the preferred return method. To be clear, even without this partnership, returning items isn't that hard. Still, this new collaboration with Kohl's might prove a boon for those who prefer just returning items in person, especially if there's a Kohl's nearby, anyway. A number of Kohl's stores even dedicated parking spaces just for customers who are dropping off Amazon returns, at least in the pilot program. No word yet on whether this will still be the case moving forward.
Thoughts on being able to drop off items purchased on Amazon at any Kohl's store? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
