Returning an item. Will they track it?

If it's a big franchise, yes, they track it. That's why they need a receipt. They have interconnected systems, and can get the appropriate numbers, etc., off the receipt.

Similarly, if you want to buy something at Store A and only Store B has it in stock, Store A usually has the ability to see that Store B has it, and to tell you to go there, or to tell Store B to send it over to Store A.

While store A will know it was returned (or at least can find out if it was), the more pertinent question is 'Will store A care?'

Of course. It is all the same computer system.

Why, were you planning on returning it twice? (obviously). That is theft, but it sounds like you've made some rationalization for that already.

I'm sure they have some type of tracking in place for inventory purposes.

If it is a big company like Walmart, it will be in their records on the computer They won't personally track it but if you wanted to, they could.

You see that funky looking bar code? That gets scanned. It will bring up where it was sold, on what day, time and how it was paid for, along with a bunch of other stuff.

store A does not care what store B gets for returns and vice versa

You need a receipt.