Overview
- Kohl’s reported first-quarter results on May 28, 2026, with net sales down 1.7% to about $3.0 billion and comparable sales down 1.1%, the best comparable result in over four years.
- The company posted a net loss of $14 million or $0.13 per diluted share, a smaller loss than Wall Street expected, helping fuel a sharp rally in the stock.
- Proprietary brands rose roughly 6% and digital sales grew about 4%, trends management credited for improving traffic and customer returns to Kohl’s Card spending.
- Inventory was reduced about 8% year over year and borrowings under the revolving credit facility were zero, while the board declared a $0.125 quarterly dividend and management reaffirmed full‑year guidance.
- Kohl’s said it will stay cautious on discretionary spending and focus on assortment simplification, margin discipline, and opportunistic debt moves, a strategy that could slow losses but leaves recovery dependent on consumer conditions and execution.