KOHLS Corp
For the period ended Aug 3, 2024. Filed Sep 5, 2024.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Aug 3, 2024 · Filed Sep 5, 2024
KSS$23.04-3.6%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-05-04; filed 2024-06-06.
0000950170-24-069880
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-08-03; filed 2024-09-05.
0000950170-24-103988
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 87 previous paragraphs and 88 current paragraphs.
46 unchanged; 34 reworded; 8 added; 7 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 11 previous and 11 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (8)
Current report
Inventory was $3.2 billion, a decrease of 9% to last year.
Current report
Long-term debt was reduced by $113 million through the redemption of the remaining 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025.
Current report
Net sales decreased 4.2% in the second quarter of 2024 and 4.7% year to date 2024.
Current report
The decrease in the second quarter was driven by a decrease in average transaction value of approximately 6% partially offset by an increase in transaction volume of approximately 2%. Year to date the decrease was driven by a decrease in average transaction value of approximately 4% with transaction volume approximately flat to last year.
Current report
SG&A expenses decreased $54 million, or 4.2%, to $1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2024. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A leveraged by one basis point. Year to date 2024, SG&A expenses decreased $64 million, or 2.5%, to $2.5 billion. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A deleveraged by 78 basis points. The decreases in SG&A expenses for both the second quarter and year to date were primarily due to a reduction in store expenses including lower costs due to fewer Sephora shop openings and fewer store refreshes. Partially offsetting this decrease were investments in marketing and technology to support new growth initiatives.
Current report
The year to date rates include the recognition of favorable discrete items in the first half of both years. Due to lower pre-tax income, the favorable discrete items had greater impact in 2024.
Current report
Financing activities generated $38 million of cash in the first half of 2024 and $158 million of cash in the first half of 2023.
Current report
In the second quarter of 2024, we completed a voluntary redemption of the remaining $113 million of outstanding 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025. In February 2023, $164 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.25% notes matured and was repaid.
Removed paragraphs (7)
Previous report
Inventory was $3.1 billion, a decrease of 13% to last year.
Previous report
Debt Reduction: On May 14, 2024, we exercised our right to redeem the remaining $113 million of our 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025. The redemption will be completed on June 13, 2024.
Previous report
Net sales decreased 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Previous report
The decrease was driven by transaction volume down approximately 3% and approximately a 2% decrease in average transaction value. Positive sales growth in our regular price business was more than offset by lower clearance sales.
Previous report
SG&A expenses decreased $10 million, or 0.8%, to $1.2 billion, driven by lower distribution costs. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A deleveraged by 166 basis points. The decrease was driven by disciplined expense management across the organization. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in marketing expenses and an investment in our new growth initiatives including Sephora shops and impulse queuing lines.
Previous report
In both periods, the tax rate was driven by the recognition of favorable tax items. The impact of the 2024 benefit of the favorable tax items, when compared to a pre-tax loss, results in increasing the tax rate from the statutory rate. The impact of the 2023 benefit of the favorable tax items, when compared to pre-tax income, results in decreasing the tax rate from the statutory rate.
Previous report
Financing activities generated $178 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 and $429 million of cash in the first quarter of 2023.
Reworded paragraphs (34)
Previous wording
For purposes of the following discussion, unless noted, all references to "the quarter” and “the first quarter” are for the three fiscal months (13 weeks) ended May 4, 2024 or April 29, 2023.
Current wording
For purposes of the following discussion, unless noted, all references to "the quarter” and “the second quarter” are for the three fiscal months (13 weeks) ended August 3, 2024 or July 29, 2023. References to "year to date" and "first half" are for the six fiscal months (26 weeks) ended August 3, 2024 or July 29, 2023.
Previous wording
Key financial results for the quarter include:
Current wording
Key financial results for the second quarter include:
Previous wording
Net sales decreased 5.3%, to $3.2 billion, with comparable sales down 4.4%.
Current wording
Net sales decreased 4.2%, to $3.5 billion, with comparable sales down 5.1%.
Previous wording
Gross margin as a percentage of Net sales was 39.5%, an increase of 48 basis points.
Current wording
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 39.6%, an increase of 59 basis points.
Previous wording
Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased 0.8%, to $1.2 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 36.3%, an increase of 166 basis points year-over-year.
Current wording
Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased 4.2%, to $1.2 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 33.5%, a decrease of one basis point year-over-year.
Previous wording
Operating income was $43 million compared to $98 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 1.3%, a decrease of 148 basis points to last year.
Current wording
Operating income was $166 million compared to $163 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 4.4%, an increase of 26 basis points year-over-year.
Previous wording
Net loss was $27 million, or ($0.24) per diluted share. This compares to net income of $14 million, or $0.13 per diluted share in the prior year.
Current wording
Net income was $66 million, or $0.59 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $58 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in the prior year.
Previous wording
Operating cash flow was a use of $7 million as compared to a use of $202 million in the prior year.
Current wording
Operating cash flow was $254 million as compared to $430 million in the prior year.
Previous wording
For the full year 2024, which has 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in full year 2023, the Company's guidance includes the potential impact from credit card late fee regulatory changes in the second half of 2024. The Company currently expects the following:
Current wording
For the full year 2024, which has 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in full year 2023, the Company's guidance excludes the potential impact from credit card late fee regulatory changes in the second half of 2024. The Company currently expects the following:
Previous wording
Net sales: A decrease of (2%) to a decrease of (4%)
Current wording
Net sales: A decrease of (4%) to a decrease of (6%)
Previous wording
Comparable sales: A decrease of (1%) to a decrease of (3%)
Current wording
Comparable sales: A decrease of (3%) to a decrease of (5%)
Previous wording
Operating margin: In the range of 3.0% to 3.5%
Current wording
Operating margin: In the range of 3.4% to 3.8%
Previous wording
Diluted earnings per share: In the range of $1.25 to $1.85
Current wording
Diluted earnings per share: In the range of $1.75 to $2.25
Previous wording
The sales decrease was seen across all lines of business except for Accessories, as they underperformed the Company average. Partially offsetting this decrease was a 21% increase in Accessories driven by a 60% increase in Sephora compared to the prior year.
Current wording
In both the second quarter and year to date 2024, the sales decrease was seen across all lines of business, except for Accessories, as they underperformed the Company average. Accessories increased 17% in the second quarter and 19% year to date driven by Sephora sales increasing approximately 45% and 50% respectively.
Previous wording
Comparable sales decreased 4.4%. Comparable sales is a measure that highlights the performance of our stores and digital channel by measuring the change in sales for a period over the comparable, prior-year period of equivalent length. Comparable sales includes all store and digital sales, except sales from stores open less than twelve months, stores that have been closed, and stores that have been relocated where square footage has changed by more than 10%.
Current wording
Comparable sales decreased 5.1% in the second quarter of 2024 and 4.8% year to date 2024. Comparable sales is a measure that highlights the performance of our stores and digital channel by measuring the change in sales for a period over the comparable, prior-year period of equivalent length. Comparable sales includes all store and digital sales, except sales from stores open less than twelve months, stores that have been closed, and stores that have been relocated where square footage has changed by more than 10%.
Previous wording
Digital sales decreased 6%, and digital penetration represented 25% of net sales compared to 26% for the first quarter of 2023. We measure the change in digital sales by including all sales initiated online or through mobile applications, including omnichannel transactions which are fulfilled through our stores. We measure digital penetration as digital sales over net sales. These amounts do not take into consideration fulfillment node, digital returns processed in stores, and coupon behaviors.
Current wording
Digital sales decreased 4% in the second quarter of 2024 and 5% year to date 2024. Digital penetration represented 25% of net sales in the second quarter and year to date in both 2024 and 2023. We measure the change in digital sales by including all sales initiated online or through mobile applications, including omnichannel transactions which are fulfilled through our stores. We measure digital penetration as digital sales over net sales. These amounts do not take into consideration fulfillment node, digital returns processed in stores, and coupon behaviors.
Previous wording
Other revenue decreased $12 million driven by increasing credit loss rates within our credit business.
Current wording
Other revenue decreased $10 million in the second quarter of 2024 and $22 million year to date 2024. The decrease in both periods is driven by increasing credit loss rates within our credit business.
Previous wording
As it relates to our credit business and recent regulatory developments, on March 5, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule lowering the safe harbor dollar amount credit card companies can charge for late fees for a missed payment. Unless blocked by court order prior to becoming effective, the rule reduces the typical amount of late fees that can be charged, which could have a negative impact on Kohl’s credit card revenues, particularly if Kohl’s steps to mitigate the impact of such rule are not successful. We are actively pursuing various initiatives to mitigate the effects of this potential ruling including scaling our recently launched co-brand card and other various initiatives with Capital One, our credit partner. We are closely monitoring developments on the issue.
Current wording
As it relates to our credit business and recent regulatory developments, on March 5, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule lowering the safe harbor dollar amount credit card companies can charge for late fees for a missed payment. Unless ultimately blocked by court order prior to becoming effective, the rule reduces the typical amount of late fees that can be charged, which could have a negative impact on Kohl’s credit card revenues, particularly if Kohl’s steps to mitigate the impact of such rule are not successful. We are actively pursuing various initiatives to mitigate the effects of this potential ruling including scaling our recently launched co-brand card and other various initiatives with Capital One, our credit partner. We are closely monitoring developments on the issue.
Previous wording
Gross margin is calculated as net sales less cost of merchandise sold. For the first quarter of 2024, gross margin was 39.5% of net sales, an increase of 48 basis points to last year. The increase was driven by strong inventory management as we had fewer markdowns from managing our inventory down 13%, as we continue to benefit from operating with greater flexibility, as well as lower freight costs. This was partially offset by elevated shrink levels.
Current wording
Gross margin is calculated as net sales less cost of merchandise sold. For the second quarter of 2024, gross margin was 39.6% of net sales, an increase of 59 basis points to last year. Year to date 2024, gross margin was 39.6% of net sales, an increase of 54 basis points to last year. In both the second quarter and year to date 2024, the increase was driven by strong inventory management as our inventory was down 9% to last year, as we continue to benefit from operating with greater flexibility, as well as lower freight costs. Year to date, the increase was partially offset by elevated shrink levels.
Previous wording
Depreciation and amortization was flat to last year as reduced capital spending in technology was offset by increased store investments, including the Sephora shops.
Current wording
The increase in Depreciation and amortization in the first half of 2024 was driven by increased store investments, including the Sephora shops, offset by reduced capital spending in technology.
Previous wording
Net interest expense decreased in the first quarter of 2024 due to the reduced outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility partially offset by Sephora shops related lease amendments.
Current wording
Net interest expense decreased in the first half of 2024 due to the reduced outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility and reduced outstanding unsecured senior debt, partially offset by a $5 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in connection with a voluntary redemption of the remaining $113 million of outstanding 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025 completed in June 2024.
Previous wording
We will continue to invest in the business, as we plan to invest approximately $500 million in 2024, which includes investment in impulse queuing lines, small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of the Babies “R” Us partnership, and new store openings. We remain committed to the dividend, and on May 15, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend will be paid on June 26, 2024 to all shareholders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2024. On May 14, 2024, we exercised our right to redeem the remaining $113 million of our 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025. The redemption will be completed on June 13, 2024. We are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Current wording
We will continue to invest in the business, as we plan to invest approximately $500 million in 2024, which includes the investment in 350 impulse queuing lines, 140 small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of 200 Babies “R” Us shops, and six new store openings, including one relocation. We remain committed to the dividend, and on August 13, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 25, 2024 to all shareholders of record at the close of business on September 11, 2024. In June 2024, we completed a voluntary redemption of the remaining $113 million of outstanding 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025. We are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Previous wording
Our period-end cash and cash equivalents balance decreased to $228 million from $286 million in the first quarter of 2023. Our cash and cash equivalents balance includes short-term investments of $9 million and $108 million as of May 4, 2024, and April 29, 2023, respectively. Our investment policy is designed to preserve principal and liquidity of our short-term investments. This policy allows investments in large money market funds or in highly rated direct short-term instruments. We also place dollar limits on our investments in individual funds or instruments.
Current wording
Our period-end Cash and cash equivalents balance increased to $231 million from $204 million in the second quarter of 2023. Our Cash and cash equivalents balance includes short-term investments of $10 million and $8 million as of August 3, 2024, and July 29, 2023, respectively. Our investment policy is designed to preserve principal and liquidity of our short-term investments. This policy allows investments in large money market funds or in highly rated direct short-term instruments. We also place dollar limits on our investments in individual funds or instruments.
Previous wording
Operating activities used $7 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $202 million of cash used in the first quarter of 2023. Operating cash flow increased primarily due to inventory management resulting in managing receipts down 11% versus the prior year. We placed a lower percentage of our overall receipts in the early part of the buying cycle to allow for additional flexibility to chase receipts based on trending sales, establish a better flow of goods to our stores and maintain better in-stock positions, with the goal of minimizing the impact of future markdowns and out-of-stock positions.
Current wording
Operating activities generated $247 million of cash in the first half of 2024 compared to $228 in the first half of 2023. Operating cash flow increased primarily due to inventory management resulting in managing receipts down 7% versus the prior year as well as an increase in accounts payable. We placed a lower percentage of our overall receipts in the early part of the buying cycle to allow for additional flexibility to chase receipts based on trending sales, establish a better flow of goods to our stores and maintain better in-stock positions, with the goal of minimizing the impact of future markdowns and out-of-stock positions.
Previous wording
Our investing cash outflows include payments for capital expenditures, including investments in new and existing stores, improvements to supply chain, and technology costs. Our investing cash inflows are generally from proceeds from sales of property and equipment.
Current wording
Our investing cash outflows include payments for capital expenditures, including investments in new and existing stores, improvements to supply chain, and technology costs. Our investing cash inflows are generally from proceeds from sales of property, equipment, and real estate.
Previous wording
Investing activities used $126 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 and $94 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by timing of investments undertaken year to date 2024, consistent with our capital expenditure plans for fiscal 2024.
Current wording
Investing activities used $237 million of cash in the first half of 2024 and $335 million in the first half of 2023. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by fewer Sephora shop openings and other investments, consistent with our reduced capital expenditure plans for fiscal 2024.
Previous wording
At the end of the quarter, we had a Sephora presence in over 900 of our stores, including 861 full size 2,500 square foot shops and 77 small format Sephora shops. In 2024, we are planning to open 140 small format Sephora shops, and plan on opening the remaining Sephora shops in 2025 which will bring a Sephora presence to the entire Kohl's chain. In 2024, we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $500 million, which includes investment in impulse queuing lines, small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of the Babies “R” Us partnership, and new store openings.
Current wording
At the end of the quarter, we had a Sephora presence in over 1,000 of our stores, including 861 full size 2,500 square foot shops and 189 small format Sephora shops. In 2024, we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $500 million, which includes the investment in 350 impulse queuing lines, 140 small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of 200 Babies “R” Us shops, and six new store openings, including one relocation.
Previous wording
During the first quarter of 2024, Fitch downgraded our senior unsecured credit rating from BBB- to BB+ and revised their outlook to stable. While Moody's reaffirmed our credit rating, they also revised their outlook to stable.
Current wording
During the first half of 2024, Fitch downgraded our senior unsecured credit rating from BBB- to BB and revised their outlook to stable. While Moody's reaffirmed our credit rating, they also revised their outlook to stable.
Previous wording
The majority of our financing activities generally include proceeds and/or repayments of long-term debt, dividend payments, and repurchases of common stock. Financing cash outflows also include payments to our landlords for leases classified as financing leases and financing obligations.
Current wording
The majority of our financing activities generally include proceeds and/or repayments of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and long-term debt, dividend payments, and repurchases of common stock. Financing cash outflows also include payments to our landlords for leases classified as financing leases and financing obligations.
Previous wording
During the quarter, we drew $263 million on our credit facility compared to $680 million drawn in the first quarter of 2023. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, recorded as short-term debt, had $355 million outstanding as of May 4, 2024, and had $765 million as of April 29, 2023.
Current wording
During the first half of 2024, we drew $318 million on our credit facility compared to $475 million drawn in the first half of 2023. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, recorded as short-term debt, had $410 million outstanding as of August 3, 2024, and had $560 million outstanding as of July 29, 2023.
Previous wording
There was no cash used for treasury stock purchases in the first quarter of 2024 or 2023. Share repurchases are discretionary in nature. The timing and amount of repurchases are based upon available cash balances, our stock price, and other factors. As previously noted, we are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Current wording
There was no cash used for treasury stock purchases in the first half of 2024 or 2023. Share repurchases are discretionary in nature. The timing and amount of repurchases are based upon available cash balances, our stock price, and other factors. As previously noted, we are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Previous wording
Cash dividend payments were $55 million ($0.50 per share) in both the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2023.
Current wording
Cash dividend payments were $111 million ($1.00 per share) in the first half of 2024 compared to $110 million ($1.00 per share) in the first half of 2023.
Previous wording
The increase in our working capital and current ratio are primarily due to a reduction in our borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the repayment of the current portion of long-term debt in 2023 partially offset by a decrease in inventory due to inventory management as our receipts were down 11% versus the prior year.
Current wording
The decrease in our working capital and current ratio are primarily due to a decrease in inventory due to inventory management as our receipts were down 7% versus the prior year.
Previous wording
There have been no significant changes in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K other than borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which have been disclosed in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and discussed under "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities."
Current wording
Aside from the voluntary redemption of the remaining $113 million of outstanding 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025 and the change in borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which have been disclosed in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, there have been no significant changes in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K.