Kohl's Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

Kohl’s Corporation [NYSE:KSS] (“Kohl’s” or the “Company”) today reported results for the third quarter ended November 1, 2025.

• Net sales decreased 2.8% and comparable sales decreased 1.7%
• Gross margin increased 51 basis points
• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.07 and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.10 ^(a)
• Raises full year 2025 financial outlook
• Kohl’s Board of Directors appoints Michael J. Bender as CEO

Michael J. Bender, Kohl’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with Kohl’s third quarter results, marking a third consecutive quarter of delivering top-line and bottom-line performance ahead of our expectations. These results are a direct reflection of the progress we are making against our 2025 initiatives, reinforcing our confidence as we continue to move in the right direction. We are focused on building on this momentum, as we remain committed to delivering quality products, great value, and a frictionless experience to our customers in an uncertain macroeconomic environment.”

“I am very proud of the work our team has accomplished to date, as we continue to operate our company with strong discipline, deliver solid cash flow generation, and maintain a healthy balance sheet. This will serve as a strong foundation as we reposition Kohl’s for future growth,” Bender continued.

CEO Announcement

As announced on November 24, 2025, Kohl’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed Michael Bender as CEO of Kohl’s effective immediately. Mr. Bender has been serving as interim CEO since May 1, 2025 and a board member since 2019.

Third Quarter 2025 Results

Comparisons refer to the 13-week period ended November 1, 2025 versus the 13-week period ended November 2, 2024

• Net sales decreased 2.8% year-over-year, to $3.4 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%.
• Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 39.6%, an increase of 51 basis points.
• Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 2.1% year-over-year, to $1.3 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 35.3%, an increase of 55 basis points year-over-year.
• Operating income was $73 million compared to $98 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 2.1%, a decrease of 61 basis points year-over-year. Adjusted operating income was $77 million compared to $98 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, adjusted operating income was 2.2%. ^(a)
• Net income was $8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $11 million, or $0.10 per adjusted diluted share. This compares to net income of $22 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the prior year. ^(a)
• Inventory was $3.9 billion, a decrease of 5% year-over-year.
• Cash flow provided by operating activities was $124 million compared to a use of $195 million in the prior year.
• Borrowings under revolving credit facility were $45 million, a decrease of $704 million year-over-year.

Nine Months Fiscal Year 2025 Results

Comparisons refer to the 39-week period ended November 1, 2025 versus the 39-week period ended November 2, 2024

• Net sales decreased 4.0% year-over-year, to $9.8 billion, with comparable sales down 3.2%.
• Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 39.8%, an increase of 39 basis points.
• Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 3.8% year-over-year, to $3.6 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 35.0%, an increase of 20 basis points year-over-year.
• Gain on legal settlement was $129 million from a credit card interchange fee lawsuit settlement.
• Operating income was $412 million compared to $307 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 4.0%, an increase of 114 basis points year-over-year. Adjusted operating income was $298 million compared to $307 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, adjusted operating income was 2.9%. ^(a)
• Net income was $147 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, and adjusted net income was $61 million, or $0.54 per adjusted diluted share. This compares to net income of $61 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the prior year. ^(a)
• Cash flow provided by operating activities was $630 million compared to $52 million in the prior year.
• Current portion of long-term debt was reduced by $353 million through repayment of the 4.25% notes due July 2025 at maturity.
• Long-term debt increased $348 million due to issuance of $360 million of 10.000% senior secured notes due 2030.

2025 Financial and Capital Allocation Outlook

For the full year 2025, the Company currently expects the following:

• Net sales: A decrease of (3.5%) to (4%)
• Comparable sales: A decrease of (2.5%) to (3%)
• Adjusted operating margin: In the range of 3.1% to 3.2% ^(b)
• Adjusted diluted EPS: In the range of $1.25 to $1.45 ^(b)
• Capital Expenditures: Approximately $400 million
• Dividend: On November 12, 2025, Kohl’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.125 per share. The dividend is payable December 24, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2025.

Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

Kohl’s will host its quarterly earnings conference call at 9:00 am ET on November 25, 2025. A webcast of the conference call and the related presentation materials will be available via the Company's web site at investors.kohls.com, both live and after the call.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Non-GAAP Measures

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the information under “2025 Financial and Capital Allocation Outlook.” Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks described more fully in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them.

This press release contains certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided as additional insight into our operational performance and do not purport to be substitutes for, or superior to, operating income, net income, or diluted earnings per share as a measure of operating performance. We believe these adjusted measures are useful, as they are more representative of our core business, enhance comparability across reporting periods and to industry peers, and align with the measures used by management to evaluate the Company’s performance. We caution investors that non-GAAP measures should not be viewed in isolation and should be evaluated in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our results reported in accordance with GAAP. Because companies may use different calculation methods, these measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in this release.

About Kohl's

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer built on a foundation that combines great brands, incredible value and convenience for our customers. Kohl’s is uniquely positioned to deliver against its long-term strategy and its purpose to take care of families’ realest moments. Kohl's serves millions of families in its more than 1,100 stores in 49 states, online at Kohls.com, and through the Kohl's App. With a large national footprint, Kohl’s is committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com.

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