Retail Archaeology asks 'Kohl's: How Is The Largest Department Store Chain Doing?' A tale of the Retail Apocalypse

I'm checking in with Erik of Retail Archaeology for the final post of September as he asks Kohl's: How Is The Largest Department Store Chain Doing?

In this episode of Retail Archaeology we take a look at Kohl's.

Erik also posted an AI summary.

Retail Archaeology explores the current state of Kohl's by examining inventory management, store presentation, and recent corporate changes. The walkthrough highlights the retailer's expansion of toy selections and partnerships, while documenting the ambiance of empty retail spaces as the store prepares for upcoming holiday seasons.

That's actually accurate.

I embedded Erik's previous video about Kohl's as the second one in Company Man asks 'Kohl's - The Rise and Fall?' A tale of the Retail Apocalypse right after Company Man Mike's five reasons for Kohl's struggles.


Based on the video, inventory management and external factors are still issues for Kohl's. At least the company got $150 million back from tariff refunds, $100 million of which it used to buy back stocks. That made the shareholders happy, but customers not so much. As Erik showed, they could have used some of that money for new displays. Priorities. Is it a sign of poor leadership? We'll see.

I close with my remarks from CNBC's 'Inside The Rise And Fall Of Kohl's,' a tale of the Retail Apocalypse.

The chain is also shrinking, as evidenced by my wife going to the closest store and finding that it has closed, apparently one of 27 stores that closed last year. Kohl's also has no plans to expand.
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We probably won't be Kohl's shoppers in the future, as the nearest store is now nearly seven miles away instead of two. We'll go that far for Costco, but not for a department store. If so, there are better stores that distance, like a Macy's, and a Target closer.

That's a wrap for September's blogging. Stay tuned for the first post of October. Spooky season!