Kohl's facts for kids
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Kohl's store in Onalaska, Wisconsin
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| Public | |
| Traded as |
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| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | September 12, 1962 , in Brookfield, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Founder | Maxwell Kohl |
| Headquarters | Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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1,174 (Feb. 2024) |
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Key people
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Michael Bender (Chairman and acting CEO) |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories, beauty products, furniture, decor, bedding, bath, toys, books, appliances, electronics, pet products, and housewares. |
| Revenue |  US$16.2 billion (2025) |
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Operating income
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US$509 million (2025) |
| US$109 million (2025) |
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Kohl's Corporation is a well-known American department store chain. It has many stores across the United States, in every state except Hawaii. Kohl's is famous for selling clothes, shoes, jewelry, home items, and much more.
The company was started by Maxwell Kohl, who came from Poland. He opened a small grocery store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1927. His grocery business grew, and in 1962, he opened his first department store. This was the beginning of the Kohl's department stores we know today.
Kohl's main office is in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. In 2012, it became the largest department store chain in the U.S. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which means its shares can be bought and sold by the public. As of May 2025, Michael Bender is the acting CEO of Kohl's.
Contents
The Story of Kohl's Stores
Maxwell Kohl started with grocery stores in 1927. He opened his first large supermarket in 1946. This grew into a chain of grocery stores called Kohl's Food Stores in southeastern Wisconsin.
In September 1962, after building a successful grocery business, Maxwell Kohl opened his first department store. It was located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He wanted Kohl's to be a store that offered good quality items at fair prices. It sold everything from candy to sports gear.
Changes in Ownership
In 1972, a company called British American Tobacco bought most of Kohl's Corporation. At that time, Kohl's had many grocery stores, department stores, and other shops. The Kohl family, including Allen Kohl and Herb Kohl, continued to manage the company for a while. Herb Kohl later became a United States senator.
The grocery stores were sold in 1983 to another company called A&P. These stores kept the Kohl's Food Store name for some time. In 2003, all Kohl's Food Stores locations were closed.
In 1986, a group of investors, including the company's senior managers, bought Kohl's. They worked to expand the department store chain. They added many new stores over the next few years. In 1992, Kohl's became a public company, meaning its shares could be traded on the stock market.
Growing Across the Country
During the 2000s, Kohl's grew to have stores in almost all 49 states. It expanded into new areas like the New York metropolitan area in 2000. Later, it opened stores in places like Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, California, and the Pacific Northwest.
Kohl's also focused on being environmentally friendly. In 2009, Newsweek magazine recognized Kohl's for its efforts. The company had one of the largest solar power programs for a retailer globally. Many of its stores use solar panels, and it focuses on green building practices. Kohl's also started selling reusable shopping bags.
In 2017, Kohl's started a partnership with Amazon. This allowed some Kohl's stores to accept Amazon returns. This program was expanded across the country in 2019. Kohl's also began testing new ideas, like leasing space in its stores to other businesses such as the grocery store Aldi and the fitness center Planet Fitness.
In 2024, Kohl's made a deal with Babies R Us. This partnership brought baby supplies, furniture, and popular baby brands like Graco and Carter's into Kohl's stores.
What You Find at Kohl's
Kohl's offers many different brands, including some from famous designers like Vera Wang. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Tony Hawk have also sold their own clothing lines exclusively at Kohl's.
Kohl's also has its own brands, which are very popular. These include clothing brands like Apt. 9, Croft & Barrow, and Tek Gear. The Sonoma Goods for Life brand, which sells clothes and home items, is also very successful. Kohl's has also bought the rights to sell other well-known brands like Candie's and Mudd Jeans.
In 2021, Kohl's partnered with the makeup store Sephora. Now, many Kohl's locations have a Sephora store inside them. This means you can find a wide range of beauty products right inside Kohl's. In 2024, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga also joined the Sephora at Kohl’s selection.
Kohl's stores are designed with a special layout. They often have a "racetrack" design, which is a single aisle that goes around the entire store. This layout helps shoppers easily find what they are looking for.
