Key Points – Kohl’s said Q1 marked its strongest comparable sales performance in more than four years, though comps still fell 1.1% and net sales declined 1.7%.
Management said the results reflect progress in resetting the business, tighter expense and inventory control, and better balance-sheet discipline. – Proprietary brands and Kohl’s Card customers showed notable improvement, with proprietary brand comp sales up 6% and Kohl’s Card sales flat after recent declines
Strength was led by women’s, juniors and home, while men’s and footwear remained weaker. – The company reaffirmed full-year guidance for fiscal 2026, even as it remains cautious about pressured low- to middle-income consumers. Kohl’s is banking on digital growth, store in-stock improvements, and tariff refunds to support results, while Sephora at Kohl’s and some store categories still need work. – Dillard’s Posted a Huge Earnings Beat—So Why Did the Rally Fade? Kohl’s (NYSE:KSS) reported what executives described as its strongest quarterly comparable sales performance in more than four years, as the retailer cited gains in proprietary brands, improved inventory management and stabilization among its Kohl’s Card customers.
On the company’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Michael Bender said comparable sales declined 1.1% from a year earlier, while net sales fell 1.7%. Bender said the quarter showed “progressive improvements” in the business and reflected Kohl’s efforts to reset its foundation after several quarters of weaker trends. – Kohl’s Stock Rebound Faces a Showdown With Short Sellers “We are pleased with our start to 2026,” Bender said, adding that the company continues to manage expenses, inventory and its balance sheet tightly. He said the results gave management “increased confidence” in its ability to execute against key initiatives, though he cautioned that the company remains realistic about the work ahead.