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Costco recently announced that they are no longer willing to accept returns on their high-demand items. Target has now decided that they are going to follow suit. Brian Cornell, Target’s CEO, passed along the announcement on his website. The chain is not going to allow their customers to make any in-store returns for the next few weeks.

If you are planning on bringing items back to Target within the next three weeks, you had better think twice. These policies are designed to keep employees and customers safe as we wait for the virus to run its course. Customers may be wondering what they can do if they have a return that is slated to expire during this period. Not to worry, Target shoppers!

You are still going to be able to make your returns. Any returns that fall during the three week period are still going to be honored, and we presume that this policy is going to apply to all Target items, not just the items that are in high demand. Target is also refusing to handle reusable bags. Plastic bags and paper bags are going to be provided at the register, so customers do not have to worry about bringing their own.

Photo: Flickr/Mike Mozart

Your local Target store will be waiving the fees that apply to these bags. In addition, each checkout lane is going to be cleaned after the customer has departed and guests will be guided, as needed, by Target team members while this process takes place. The check lanes are going to be rotated by Target so that those that are not being used currently can receive the proper deep cleaning.

Store hours have been adjusted, allowing more vulnerable guests to have an hour to themselves at the beginning of each Wednesday. Target locations are now to close at 9:00 PM. If you would like to learn more about all of the policies that have been established by Target, please be sure to head to their corporate site as soon as possible where you can find the open letter from Brian Cornell.

These policies are of the utmost importance and they allow shoppers to get their hands on all of their most crucial items in a timely manner. In the meantime, let’s all do our part to remain safe by adhering to the social distancing guidelines that have been laid out by various health officials. Don’t forget to wash your hands, too!