A wave of Kohl's stores are preparing to close for good this weekend as the company looks to shed underperforming locations. The final day for 27 of these department stores has been confirmed as Saturday, March 29, 2025. This decision comes amid a troubling trend for traditional retailers across the United States, with many well-known brands shuttering locations in light of declining sales.
Kohl's closures follow a similar pattern seen in other department stores this year. Macy's, for instance, announced it would close as many as 66 underperforming stores, while JCPenney is set to shut down eight locations. According to ChainStoreAge.com, Kohl's began the year with more than 1,150 locations and planned to close up to 27 stores and a fulfillment center before April 2025.
The stores set to close are spread across 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Notably, the Boise, Idaho location at 400 N Milwaukee St will close its doors on March 29.
Tom Kingsbury, the former CEO of Kohl's, highlighted the seriousness of these decisions in a statement released in January. "We always take these decisions very seriously," he 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." This acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation underscores the challenges that Kohl's and similar retailers face in today's market.
Despite the closures, Kohl's maintains that the majority of its stores are performing well. The company has assured that affected staff will receive severance offers or the opportunity to transfer to other locations, aiming to soften the blow of these layoffs. New CEO Ashley Buchanan expressed optimism about the company's future. "We have identified key areas of focus and are taking action in 2025 to reposition Kohl's for future success," he stated, emphasizing the need for the company to meet customer expectations for great products and experiences.
The decision to close stores comes on the heels of disappointing financial results for Kohl's in 2024, which saw net sales fall by 7.2% to $15.4 billion, with comparable sales declining by 6.5%. This downturn is part of a broader trend affecting many traditional retailers, which have struggled to adapt to changing consumer behavior and increased competition from e-commerce.
Other retailers have faced similar fates. Forever 21 announced it would close all its stores after filing for bankruptcy for the second time in six years. Additionally, Joann, a fabric and crafts retailer, is set to shutter 800 stores across 49 states after 80 years in business. These closures reflect a significant shift in the retail landscape, with many brands struggling to maintain profitability in an increasingly digital world.
The list of Kohl's stores closing includes:
- Alabama - Spanish Fort: 21000 Town Center Ave.
- Arkansas - Little Rock West: 13909 Chenal Pkwy.
- California - Balboa (San Diego): 5505 Balboa Ave.
- California - Encinitas: 134 N El Camino Real.
- California - Fremont: 43782 Christy St.
- California - Mountain View: 350 Showers Dr.
- California - Napa: 1116 1st St.
- California - Pleasanton: 4525 Rosewood Dr.
- California - Point West (Sacramento): 1896 Arden Way.
- California - San Rafael: 5010 Northgate Dr.
- California - San Luis Obispo: 205 Madonna Rd.
- California - Westchester: 8739 S Sepulveda Blvd.
- Colorado - Arapahoe Crossing: 6584 S Parker Rd., Aurora.
- Georgia - Duluth: 2050 W Liddell Rd.
- Idaho - Boise: 400 N Milwaukee St.
- Illinois - Plainfield: 11860 S Route 59.
- Illinois - Spring Hill: 3000 Spring Hill Ring Rd., West Dundee.
- Massachusetts - Stoughton: 501 Technology Center Dr.
- New Jersey - East Windsor: 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd.
- Ohio - Blue Ash: 4150 Hunt Rd.
- Ohio - 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.
- Virginia - Williamsburg: 100 Gristmill Plz.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, Kohl's is not alone in facing these tough decisions. The closures reflect a broader struggle among traditional retailers to adapt to market demands and consumer preferences. While the company aims to reposition itself for future success, the impact of these closures will be felt across communities where these stores have served as local staples.