Kohl’s Announces 18 Store Closings

A Kohl’s store 

Kohl’s has announced  that they will close 18 stores in March on the heels of a disappointing financial earnings.  Personally, I’m not surprised. I’m sure you’ve notice how at Kohl’s everything is on sale all the time and I think shoppers have become immune to the cost savings.   Their last two designer collections, Thakoon and MILLY have also been disappointing.  According to CNBC, Kohl’s will close 18 stores and  at the same time ” pilot a smaller, 35,000-square-foot Kohl’s in seven U.S. markets, an additional two off-price stores and enter the outlet space with 12 Fila stores.”

By doing this, Kohl’s hopes to change their retail strategy and reach athletic wear buyers looking for a lower price point and outlet shoppers.  It will be interesting to see if they continue ALL their clothing lines including the Jennifer Lopez line, Simply Vera Wang, Dana Buchman, ELLE and the uneven Designation collections–it seems some of these could be pared down or even discontinued. Some of you may have noticed that I rarely cover Kohl’s fashion lines anymore because there are just not special and I think the quality is not great.  It’s been awhile since their have been standouts like their Catherine Malandrino or Narcisco Rodriquez collections.   Based on reader feedback that I have received, Kohl’s fashion collections are becoming less and less appealing to many shoppers.