October 2023

Holiday 2023 is an enormous test for whether Kohl’s latest management is getting it together. No drastic changes in the vacation presentation are afoot, but loads of the more-expected type — like a give attention to gifts and comfy fashions — have been orchestrated, and may positively impact fourth-quarter selling after seasons of losing market share. What is going to holiday shoppers notice at Kohl’s? A stronger emphasis on gifts, home decor, Sephora, pet supplies, impulse items by checkout areas, fashions focused on “cozy” styles, dress-up styles, flannel, faux leather, the colour red, sparkle, Western boots, simplified and clearer pricing and value offers, and greater convenience. “We all know what we stand for,” Nick Jones, the chief merchandising and digital officer of Kohl’s...