• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

2

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

3

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living

1

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

2

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

3

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
RetailKohl's

Kohl’s ‘surprised’ Wall Street with a big earnings beat in the aftermath of its CEO drama—possibly thanks to tariffs

Sydney Lake
By
Sydney Lake
Sydney Lake
Associate Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Sydney Lake
By
Sydney Lake
Sydney Lake
Associate Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 27, 2025, 11:51 AM ET
Customers chase after deals and discounts amid inflation and tariffs.
Customers chase after deals and discounts amid inflation and tariffs. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.
  • Kohl’s has had a challenging year marked by leadership turmoil and declining sales. But its second-quarter earnings report surprised analysts. In Q2, Kohl’s posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.56, significantly exceeding the expected $0.30, leading to a nearly 20% surge in its stock price. Yet net sales declined by 5.1%, and comparable store sales fell 4.2%, reflecting ongoing consumer spending pressures.

Kohl’s has had a rocky year, so it was due for at least a little bit of good news. 

Recommended Video

On Wednesday, the discount retail chain reported an earnings beat, shocking Wall Street analysts. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.56, significantly beating the consensus estimate of just $0.30 per share. And markets rejoiced on the news: Kohl’s share prices are up nearly 20% on Wednesday.

“We’re surprised and encouraged by the magnitude of the raise, especially considering higher tariff rates for proprietary brands,” read an analyst note from investment firm Baird that was shared with Fortune.

The stronger than expected Q2 earnings report comes on the heels of a tumultuous year for Kohl’s. After just 100 days on the job, CEO Ashley Buchanan was fired from his post for violating Kohl’s policies by directing the company to conduct business with a vendor Buchanan had a personal relationship with, under “highly unusual terms” that were favorable to the vendor. Following an investigation conducted by outside counsel, Buchanan was let go for “undisclosed conflicts of interest.” Michael Bender, who was on the company’s board of directors since July 2019 and served as chair, was tapped to be interim CEO.

While Kohl’s beat Wall Street expectations, the discount retailer still reported a 5.1% decrease in net sales and a 4.2% drop in comparable sales. Still, it’s a brighter picture than many expected for Kohl’s, which has also seen corporate layoffs and store closures in the past year or so.

“Although we are encouraged by our second-quarter results and the improved sales trend we saw throughout the quarter, we also recognize that consumers continue to be pressured and are being choiceful with their purchases,” Bender said during Wednesday’s earnings call. 

Still, discount retailers like Kohl’s are tending to perform at least a little better than other retailers during this current period of uncertainty marked by tariffs and inflation. Although Kohl’s is sometimes the butt of jokes on social media, “Kohl’s Cash” and other discounts at the retailer have proved to be a boon for business.

While lower- to middle-income customers remain the most challenged, higher-income customers have been more resilient, Bender said. 

“Several of our key initiatives are focused on delivering greater value to these customers through investing in our proprietary brands and adding more coupon-eligible brands,” Bender said.

Toward the end of Q1, Kohl’s made more in-store brands eligible for coupons, which “generated an immediate positive response in our digital channel, where pricing transparency plays a significant role in customer decision-making,” Bender said. “As the quarter progressed, we saw the performance improve in our stores as we increased investment in in store signage and marketing.”

That could be a telling sign customers are continuing to chase deals as they watch other stores raise prices owing to inflation and tariffs. To be sure, many middle-income customers have also “traded down” to more value-focused brands, so Kohl’s will need to continue offering coupon-friendly brands and items to stay afloat. Baird says potential risks for Kohl’s include “choppy” consumer-spending trends, a highly competitive promotional space, weather, and other economic factors.

Kohl’s comeback may also be the result of continued growth in its jewelry business, further investment in women’s clothing, and its partnership with Sephora. Bender said more than one-third of Sephora shoppers are exploring other areas of Kohl’s stores.

Jewelry and women’s clothing had been a sore spot for Kohl’s after Buchanan’s predecessor, Tom Kingsbury, had opted for Kohl’s to carry less inventory (like fine jewelry and women’s petite sizing), which ultimately hurt business. Kingsbury even admitted his choice to do so was “shortsighted.”

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Sydney Lake
By Sydney LakeAssociate Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Sydney Lake is an associate editor at Fortune, where she writes and edits news for the publication's global news desk.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

‘Our business today is not healthy’: 1,600 Xbox employees among the 4,800 laid off by Microsoft as it looks to ‘reset’ gaming division
Big TechMicrosoft
‘Our business today is not healthy’: 1,600 Xbox employees among the 4,800 laid off by Microsoft as it looks to ‘reset’ gaming division
By The Associated PressJuly 6, 2026
18 hours ago
Costco CEO promises the $1.50 hot dog isn’t going away: ‘The price will not change as long as I’m around’
RetailCostco
Costco CEO promises the $1.50 hot dog isn’t going away: ‘The price will not change as long as I’m around’
By Sydney LakeJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago
w
Travel & LeisureWorld Cup
‘I can understand the, um, obesity here’: The World discovers American cuisine at the World Cup
By Dee-Ann Durbin and The Associated PressJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago
dec
North Americamuseums
A retired insurance executive found a lost Declaration of Independence in Britain’s National Archives
By Danica Kirka and The Associated PressJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago
Ejay O'Donnell, Bart Szaniewski, and Grant Eastey wear Dad Gang hats in a factory
SuccessEntrepreneurship
Three dads started selling hats from a garage with $750—now they’ve sold $35 million worth, partnered with Gary Vee, and grown a community of fathers
By Preston ForeJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago
Americans will eat 150 million hot dogs today. One specific American is predicted to eat 70 of them
North AmericaFood and drink
Americans will eat 150 million hot dogs today. One specific American is predicted to eat 70 of them
By Catherina GioinoJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
AI
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 5, 2026
2 days ago
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
Success
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
By Preston ForeJuly 6, 2026
18 hours ago
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
Success
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ everyday Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
By Preston ForeJuly 4, 2026
3 days ago
Current price of oil as of July 6, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 6, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 6, 2026
22 hours ago
Gen Z was 'jaded about employment before we ever entered the workforce'—now psychologists say the stare has hardened into something worse
Economy
Gen Z was 'jaded about employment before we ever entered the workforce'—now psychologists say the stare has hardened into something worse
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 6, 2026
1 day ago
Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
Law
Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and The Associated PressJuly 2, 2026
5 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.