Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 27
Kohl's Stock Jumps 20% on Best Comparable Sales Growth in 4 Years
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 27

Kohl's Stock Jumps 20% on Best Comparable Sales Growth in 4 Years

1 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 27

Summary

  • Kohl's shares surged 20% after last month's earnings showed the retailer's strongest comparable-sales growth in four years, a rare bright spot after years of weak sales and market-share losses.
  • Revenue still fell to $3 billion, but it beat Wall Street estimates, and Kohl's forecast full-year net sales and comparable sales in a range of down 2% to flat.
  • CEO Michael Bender, who took over in late 2025, has pushed Kohl's back toward its traditional formula of coupons, proprietary brands and value after past shifts into off-price retail and assortment cuts alienated core shoppers.
  • Analysts say the strategy is improving results, but many still see Kohl's as a show-me turnaround because apparel and footwear remain weak and pressure on budget-conscious customers persists.
  • The retailer is also trying to broaden its recovery by using Sephora shop-in-shops to attract younger shoppers, even though that business slipped by a low-single-digit percentage in the latest quarter.

Insights

With its key Sephora partnership now underperforming, what is Kohl's next big move to attract younger shoppers?
Amid rising tariffs squeezing its core customers, how can Kohl's sustain its famous deep discount model?
Can Kohl's old-school coupon strategy truly win against modern rivals like Amazon in today's economy?