50 Facts About Kohl’s

The Humble Beginnings of Kohl's

Kohl's has a rich history that dates back nearly a century. Let's dive into the origins and early growth of this iconic department store chain.

1. Founding: Kohl's was founded by Maxwell Kohl, a Polish immigrant who opened a corner grocery store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1927.
2. Early Success: The grocery store chain grew significantly, and by the 1940s, Kohl had expanded to become one of the largest supermarket chains in southeastern Wisconsin.
3. First Supermarket: In 1946, Kohl opened the first supermarket in Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood, featuring services like an in-store bakery and deli.
4. Department Store Venture: After a dissatisfying experience trying to buy a shirt, Maxwell Kohl decided to venture into the department store business. The first Kohl's department store opened in Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1962.
5. Initial Expansion: By the mid-1960s, Kohl's positioned itself between higher-end department stores and discounters, selling everything from candy to engine oil to sporting equipment.

Major Milestones and Acquisitions

Kohl's journey from a local grocery store to a national retail giant involved several key acquisitions and strategic decisions.

6. BATUS Acquisition: In 1972, the British American Tobacco Company's U.S. retail division, Batus Inc., bought a controlling interest in Kohl's Corporation, which at the time operated 50 grocery stores, six department stores, three drug stores, and three liquor stores.
7. Family Management: The Kohl family, led by Allen Kohl and Herb Kohl, continued to manage the company. Herb Kohl left the management in 1979 to become a U.S. senator and owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.
8. Expansion in Wisconsin: The firm expanded Kohl's presence from 10 to 39 stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana during the 1970s.
9. Sale of Grocery Stores: In 1983, the grocery stores were sold to A&P, operating under the name Kohl's Food Store, and later Kohl's Food Emporium.
10. Private Firm Purchase: A group of investors, led by the senior management, purchased the company in 1986 from British American Tobacco.

Going Public and Nationwide Expansion

Kohl's growth accelerated after going public and expanding into new markets across the United States.

11. Department Store Growth: Building on the existing 40 department stores, the company added 27 more stores over the next two years.
12. MainStreet Acquisition: In 1988, Kohl's acquired 26 locations from the Chicago-based retailer MainStreet, gaining several stores in Chicago's suburbs, the Twin Cities, and Michigan.
13. Initial Public Offering (IPO): Kohl's completed its initial public offering on May 19, 1992, and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KSS.
14. Midwest Expansion: By 1992, Kohl's had 76 stores in the Midwest.
15. New York Metropolitan Area Expansion: In 2000, Kohl's expanded into the New York metropolitan area after Caldor was liquidated.

Coast-to-Coast Presence

Kohl's continued to grow, establishing a presence from coast to coast and entering new markets.

16. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Expansion: The chain later expanded into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
17. California Expansion: In 2003, Kohl's entered California with 28 new stores, marking its coast-to-coast expansion.
18. Pacific Northwest Expansion: In 2006, Kohl's expanded into the Pacific Northwest with 10 new stores.
19. Southeast Expansion: Between 2005 and 2008, Kohl's added 43 new stores in the Southeast.
20. Credit Card Division Sale: To raise money to repurchase its stock and open new stores, Kohl's sold its credit card division in 2006 to J.P. Morgan Chase for $1.5 billion.

Technological Innovations and Partnerships

Kohl's has embraced technology and strategic partnerships to enhance its customer experience and operational efficiency.

21. Capital One Partnership: In 2011, Kohl's replaced Chase with Capital One as their private credit card processing partner for an undisclosed sum.
22. Kohl's Card Integration: In 2016, Kohl's added the Capital One-backed private label Kohl's Card to the Kohl's App, creating Kohl's Pay, the first integrated mobile checkout solution for a retailer in the U.S.
23. Headquarters Location: Kohl's Corporation is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
24. Revenue and Employment: As of 2023, Kohl's had $17.4 billion in revenue and employed approximately 66,000 people worldwide.
25. Fortune 500 Ranking: Kohl's is ranked 235 in the 2024 Fortune 500 list.

Store Operations and Market Positioning

Kohl's has strategically positioned itself in the market and optimized its store operations to attract a wide range of customers.

26. Store Locations: Kohl's operates over 1,165 stores across 49 states in the U.S., with the exception of Hawaii.
27. Market Positioning: Kohl's positions itself between department stores and discount retailers, offering national brands at reduced overhead costs.
28. Customer Service: Kohl's is known for its customer service and inventory management efficiencies, which were instituted by Maxwell Kohl based on his experience with supermarkets.
29. Value-Oriented Pricing: The company's value-oriented pricing strategy allows it to offer lower prices than high-end stores while maintaining higher quality than discounters.
30. Sales Strategy: Kohl's frequently runs sales on large segments of its merchandise to attract customers and drive sales.

Exclusive Brands and Merchandise

Kohl's has introduced exclusive brands and merchandise to differentiate itself from competitors and attract loyal customers.

31. Brand Offerings: In the early 2000s, Kohl's introduced special lines from Jones Apparel Group, Inc., Liz Claiborne, Inc., and children's apparel from OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc.
32. Distribution Centers: Kohl's operates several distribution centers across the U.S., including a 500,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Monroe, Ohio, and a distribution center in San Bernardino, California.
33. E-commerce Expansion: To support its e-commerce efforts, Kohl's opened a 500,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Monroe, Ohio, in the early 2000s.
34. Store Openings: In 2000, Kohl's opened 60 more stores and entered several new markets, particularly in the Northeast.
35. Revenue Growth: Revenues jumped 35 percent to reach $6.15 billion in 2000, with net income increasing from $255 million to $367 million.

Strategic Growth and Turnaround Efforts

Kohl's has implemented various strategies to sustain growth and improve performance in a competitive retail environment.

36. Southern States Expansion: To support demand in the southern states, Kohl's opened a fifth distribution center in Corsicana, Texas.
37. West Coast Expansion: Late in 2003, Kohl's opened a distribution center in San Bernardino, California, in advance of its West Coast expansion.
38. California Market Entry: In March 2003, Kohl's stormed into California, opening 28 stores in the Los Angeles area and making it a coast-to-coast retail chain.
39. Turnaround Efforts: As competition heated up, Kohl's concentrated on turning its performance around. The company began introducing new merchandise into its stores more frequently and secured exclusive brands to differentiate itself from competitors.
40. Net Income Record: The turnaround efforts began to pay off, as net income reached a record $730 million in 2004.

Customer Loyalty and Technological Advancements

Kohl's has focused on enhancing customer loyalty and leveraging technology to improve the shopping experience.

41. Exclusive Merchandise: Kohl's continued to pursue new exclusive merchandise offerings, which helped the company expand nationwide through its value-oriented ideals.
42. Customer Loyalty Programs: Kohl's has implemented various customer loyalty programs, including Kohl's Cash and Yes2You Rewards, to retain customers and encourage repeat business.
43. Mobile Checkout Solution: In 2016, Kohl's introduced Kohl's Pay, an integrated mobile checkout solution that combines Kohl's Card, Kohl's Cash, and Yes2You Rewards.
44. S&P 500 Membership: In 1998, Kohl's joined the S&P 500 index, marking its inclusion among the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S.
45. Store Layout and Design: Kohl's stores are designed to provide a seamless shopping experience, with clear signage and easy navigation to help customers find what they need quickly.

Community and Environmental Initiatives

Kohl's is committed to giving back to the community and implementing environmentally friendly practices.

46. Community Involvement: Kohl's is actively involved in various community programs, including supporting local charities and sponsoring events that benefit the community.
47. Environmental Initiatives: The company has implemented several environmental initiatives, such as reducing energy consumption and waste in its operations.
48. Employee Benefits: Kohl's offers competitive employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for career advancement.
49. Corporate Social Responsibility: Kohl's prioritizes corporate social responsibility by ensuring fair labor practices, ethical sourcing of products, and responsible business operations.
50. Future Outlook: With its strong foundation and continued commitment to customer service and value-oriented pricing, Kohl's is poised for future growth and success in the competitive retail landscape.

Kohl's: A Retail Giant with a Rich History

Kohl's has come a long way since Maxwell Kohl opened his first grocery store in Milwaukee in 1927. From its humble beginnings, Kohl's has grown into a nationwide retail powerhouse with over 1,165 stores across 49 states. The company's success can be attributed to its strategic expansions, innovative marketing, and commitment to customer service. By offering a mix of national brands and exclusive merchandise at value-oriented prices, Kohl's has carved out a unique niche in the retail market. Its dedication to community involvement, environmental initiatives, and employee benefits further solidifies its reputation as a responsible and customer-focused retailer. With a strong foundation and a forward-thinking approach, Kohl's is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the competitive retail landscape.