A retraction device for movable furniture parts has a driver movable along a first guide path, which is movable between a retracted position and a parked position and is directly or indirectly pretensioned into the retracted position by an energy storage device. The driver can be coupled to an activator in order to move the movable furniture part into a closed position. A method uses the driver for opening and closing the movable furniture part and tensioning and releasing a retraction device.