Christmas gift returns in full swing at Edison Mall

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

With the end of the Christmas shopping rush, many shoppers are now focused on returning gifts. Doing so in person can avoid online fees.

Returning gifts in person can save money, as most stores now charge exchange fees for mail returns, with stores like Marshalls charging almost $12 for their fee. Some shoppers at the Edison Mall say they prefer to keep gifts even if they don't like them.

"If I bought a gift and it didn't fit the person that I bought it for, first I will see if it'll fit me. If not, then I'll just return it," Diaz said.

For gifts purchased online through Amazon, in-person returns can be made at stores like Kohl's, Staples or Whole Foods. The National Retail Federation reports that 15% of all purchases this year will be returned, despite MasterCard data showing an increase in holiday spending compared to last year.

"I feel like it's just going to continue to keep going up because it's like a thing that people are just getting used to it, and then stores are allowing it," Diaz said on the uptick in shopping and returning.

Many stores are offering extended holiday return policies, allowing returns until Jan. 31.

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