Kohl's to close 27 stores by April as struggling retailer looks to improve profits, sales; none on LI affected

Kohl’s said Friday it was closing 27 underperforming stores in 15 states by April — a fraction of its 1,150 store base — as the struggling department store aims to boost profitability and improve sagging sales.

The announcement comes as the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based chain has posted 11 consecutive quarters of sales declines and faces new leadership. Michaels CEO and retail veteran Ashley Buchanan will take over the chain's top job, effective Wednesday, succeeding Tom Kingsbury, who will stay as an adviser to the new CEO and retain his position on Kohl’s board until his retirement this May.

Kingsbury served as Kohl’s interim CEO in December 2022 and was named its permanent leader in February 2023.

Kohl's declined to disclose the number of employees affected. It said workers have been informed and have been offered a “competitive severance package” or the chance to apply to other open roles at Kohl’s.  Of the stores that are closing, 10 are in California.

There are 11 Kohl’s stores on Long Island, including locations in Bay Shore, Levittown, Oceanside and Shirley. The Long Island stores are not closing.

“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," Kingsbury said in a statement.

On Thursday, Macy's disclosed the locations of 66 stores that it will be closing early this year, including three on Long Island and five in New York City. The three Long Island stores closing include the retailer's Backstage discount locations at the Lake Success Shopping Center in New Hyde Park and in Melville on Walt Whitman Road and a department store in the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, Newsday previously reported.

The announcement is part of a strategy announced in February 2024, that calls for shuttering roughly 150 underproductive stores while upgrading its remaining 350 stores through fiscal 2026. The closings come as Macy's is looking to improve its sales as shoppers have pulled back on discretionary items amid still high inflation.

In November, Macy's reported falling profit and sales in its fiscal third quarter. It raised sales expectations for the current fiscal year, but lowered profit projections.

The Macy’s stores set to close account for 25% of overall square footage but less than 10% of its sales, the company had said.

With Tory N. Parrish