Kohl’s, one of the largest American department store chains, announced its decision to shutter 27 stores across 15 states by April 2025. These closures, part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its operations, include underperforming locations among its more than 1,150 stores nationwide, according to a statement released last Thursday.
The company is also closing its e-commerce distribution center in San Bernardino, California, when the lease expires in May 2025. This facility is one of 15 e-commerce fulfillment centers supporting Kohl’s operations.
Rationale Behind the Decision
Kohl’s emphasized that while the company remains confident in the overall strength of its store network, these specific locations have not met performance expectations. Tom Kingsbury, Kohl’s CEO, highlighted the necessity of these measures as part of the company’s long-term growth strategy.
“We always take these decisions very seriously,” Kingsbury said. “As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams.”
The decision comes as Kohl’s grapples with a 40% drop in stock value over the past six months, indicating challenges within the broader retail landscape.
Impact on Employees
All store associates at the affected locations have been notified. Kohl’s stated it is working to support employees through the transition, offering opportunities to apply for other roles within the company or to receive competitive severance packages.
“Kohl’s thanks our associates for their work and is working to support our associates during this transition,” the company said.
Affected Locations
The closures span a wide geographic area, with California bearing the brunt, losing 10 stores, followed by Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia, which will each lose two locations. Here is the full list of impacted stores:
California
- Balboa (San Diego) – 5505 Balboa Ave
- Encinitas – 134 N El Camino Real
- Fremont – 43782 Christy St
- Mountain View – 350 Showers Dr
- Napa – 1116 1st St
- Pleasanton – 4525 Rosewood Dr
- Point West (Sacramento) – 1896 Arden Way
- San Rafael – 5010 Northgate Dr
- San Luis Obispo – 205 Madonna Rd
- Westchester – 8739 S Sepulveda Blvd
Other States
- Alabama: Spanish Fort – 21000 Town Center Ave
- Arkansas: Little Rock West – 13909 Chenal Pkwy
- Colorado: Arapahoe Crossing (Aurora) – 6584 S Parker Rd
- Georgia: Duluth – 2050 W Liddell Rd
- Idaho: Boise – 400 N Milwaukee St
- Illinois: Plainfield – 11860 S Route 59; Spring Hill (West Dundee) – 3000 Spring Hill Ring Rd
- Massachusetts: Stoughton – 501 Technology Center Dr
- New Jersey: East Windsor – 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd
- Ohio: Blue Ash – 4150 Hunt Rd; Forest Park (Cincinnati) – 100 Cincinnati Mills Dr
- Oregon: Portland Gateway – 10010 NE Halsey St
- Pennsylvania: Pottstown – 351 W Schuylkill Rd
- Texas: North Dallas – 18224 Preston Rd
- Utah: Riverton – 13319 S 3600 W Ste 13LOT
- Virginia: Herndon – 2100 Centreville Rd; Williamsburg – 100 Gristmill Plz
Leadership Transition
The announcement was one of Tom Kingsbury’s final decisions as Kohl’s CEO, as he stepped down from his role on Wednesday. The leadership change adds another dimension to the company’s restructuring efforts.
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