KSS Kohls Corporation

Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE:KSS) today reported results for the quarter and year ended February 3, 2024.

• Fourth quarter net sales decreased 1.1% and comparable sales decreased 4.3%; fiscal year 2023 net sales decreased 3.4% and comparable sales decreased 4.7%
• Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $1.67 and fiscal year 2023 diluted EPS of $2.85
• Operating cash flow of $789 million in fourth quarter and $1.2 billion for fiscal year 2023
• Committed to further strengthening balance sheet and returning capital to shareholders through the dividend
• Introduces fiscal year 2024 financial outlook

Tom Kingsbury, Kohl’s chief executive officer, said “2023 represented an important year for Kohl’s. We enhanced our store experience, expanded our partnership with Sephora, and invested in underpenetrated categories. We also simplified our value strategies and implemented new inventory management processes. The early success of our strategies is evident. Our store business had its best comparable sales performance since 2010, Sephora at Kohl’s continued to drive meaningful beauty sales growth, and we managed inventory down 10% at year end. I want to thank the broader Kohl’s team for driving significant change to reposition the company for future growth.”

“Looking ahead, we are incredibly focused on delivering comparable sales growth in 2024. Our strategic initiatives are positioned to build momentum and contribute more meaningfully, and we will partner with Babies “R” Us to meaningfully expand our presence in the baby gear category which represents a compelling white space opportunity for Kohl’s. Through our collective efforts Kohl’s is becoming more relevant to customers, which strengthens our conviction in our longer-term opportunity,” Kingsbury continued.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

Comparisons refer to the 14-week period ended February 3, 2024 versus the 13-week period ended January 28, 2023 unless noted otherwise

• Net sales decreased 1.1% year-over-year, to $5.7 billion. The fourth quarter included net sales of approximately $164 million from the 14th week.
• Comparable sales, which compare the 13-week period ending January 27, 2024 versus the 13-week period ended January 28, 2023, decreased 4.3%.
• Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 32.4%, an increase of 937 basis points.
• Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 4.0% year-over-year, to $1.6 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 27.0%, a decrease of 82 basis points year-over-year.
• Operating income was $299 million compared to $302 million loss in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 5.0%, an increase of 1,005 basis points year-over-year.
• Net income was $186 million, or $1.67 per diluted share. This compares to net loss of $273 million, or ($2.49) per diluted share in the prior year.
• Inventory was $2.9 billion, a decrease of 10% year-over-year.
• Operating cash flow was $789 million.

Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Comparisons refer to the 53-week period ended February 3, 2024 versus the 52-week period ended January 28, 2023 unless noted otherwise

• Net sales decreased 3.4% year-over-year, to $16.6 billion. The full year included net sales of approximately $164 million from the 53rd week.
• Comparable sales, which compare the 52-week period ending January 27, 2024 versus the 52-week period ended January 28, 2023, decreased 4.7%.
• Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 36.7%, an increase of 347 basis points.
• Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 1.3% year-over-year, to $5.5 billion. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses were 31.5%, an increase of 67 basis points year-over-year.
• Operating income was $717 million compared to $246 million in the prior year. As a percentage of total revenue, operating income was 4.1%, an increase of 274 basis points year-over-year.
• Net income was $317 million, or $2.85 per diluted share. This compares to net loss of $19 million, or ($0.15) per diluted share in the prior year.
• Operating cash flow was $1.2 billion.

2024 Financial and Capital Allocation Outlook

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:

• Net sales: A decrease of (1%) to an increase of 1%
• Comparable sales: In the range of 0% to 2%
• Operating margin: In the range of 3.6% to 4.1%
• Diluted EPS: In the range of $2.10 to $2.70, excluding any non-recurring charges
• Capital Expenditures: Approximately $500 million, including expansion of Sephora partnership and other store-related investments
• Dividend: On February 28, 2024, Kohl’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.50 per share. The dividend is payable April 3, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call

Kohl’s will host its quarterly earnings conference call at 9:00 am ET on March 12, 2024. A webcast of the conference call and the related presentation materials will be available via the Company's web site at investors.kohls.com, both live and after the call.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the information under “2024 Financial and Capital Allocation Outlook.” Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks described more fully in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them.

About Kohl's

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer built on a foundation that combines great brands, incredible value and convenience for our customers. Kohl's serves millions of families in our more than 1,100 stores in 49 states, online at Kohls.com, and through our Kohl's App. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com.

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data)

February 3, 2024

January 28, 2023

February 3, 2024

January 28, 2023

Net sales

$

5,710

 

$

5,775

 

$

16,586

 

$

17,161

 

Other revenue

 

246

 

 

244

 

 

890

 

 

937

 

Total revenue

 

5,956

 

 

6,019

 

 

17,476

 

 

18,098

 

Cost of merchandise sold

 

3,860

 

 

4,444

 

 

10,498

 

 

11,457

 

Gross margin rate

 

32.4

%

 

23.0

%

 

36.7

%

 

33.2

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative

 

1,610

 

 

1,677

 

 

5,512

 

 

5,587

 

As a percent of total revenue

 

27.0

%

 

27.9

%

 

31.5

%

 

30.9

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

187

 

 

200

 

 

749

 

 

808

 

Operating income (loss)

 

299

 

 

(302

)

 

717

 

 

246

 

Interest expense, net

 

82

 

 

78

 

 

344

 

 

304

 

Income (Loss) before income taxes

 

217

 

 

(380

)

 

373

 

 

(58

)

Provision (Benefit) for income taxes

 

31

 

 

(107

)

 

56

 

 

(39

)

Net income (loss)

$

186

 

$

(273

)

$

317

 

$

(19

)

Average number of shares:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

110

 

 

110

 

 

110

 

 

120

 

Diluted

 

111

 

 

110

 

 

111

 

 

120

 

Earnings (Loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

1.69

 

$

(2.49

)

$

2.88

 

$

(0.15

)

Diluted

$

1.67

 

$

(2.49

)

$

2.85

 

$

(0.15

)

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in Millions)

February 3, 2024

January 28, 2023

Assets

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

183

$

153

Merchandise inventories

 

2,880

 

3,189

Other

 

347

 

394

Total current assets

 

3,410

 

3,736

Property and equipment, net

 

7,720

 

7,926

Operating leases

 

2,499

 

2,304

Other assets

 

380

 

379

Total assets

$

14,009

$

14,345

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

Accounts payable

$

1,134

$

1,330

Accrued liabilities

 

1,201

 

1,220

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

92

 

85

Current portion of:

 

 

Long-term debt

 

—

 

275

Finance leases and financing obligations

 

83

 

94

Operating leases

 

102

 

111

Total current liabilities

 

2,612

 

3,115

Long-term debt

 

1,638

 

1,637

Finance leases and financing obligations

 

2,680

 

2,786

Operating leases

 

2,781

 

2,578

Deferred income taxes

 

107

 

129

Other long-term liabilities

 

298

 

337

Shareholders’ equity:

 

3,893

 

3,763

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

14,009

$

14,345

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Twelve Months Ended

(Dollars in Millions)

February 3, 2024

January 28, 2023

Operating activities

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

317

 

$

(19

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

749

 

 

808

 

Share-based compensation

 

42

 

 

30

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(8

)

 

(84

)

Non-cash lease expense

 

92

 

 

106

 

Other non-cash items

 

6

 

 

30

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

Merchandise inventories

 

315

 

 

(116

)

Other current and long-term assets

 

11

 

 

87

 

Accounts payable

 

(196

)

 

(353

)

Accrued and other long-term liabilities

 

(67

)

 

(99

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

(93

)

 

(108

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,168

 

 

282

 

Investing activities

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(577

)

 

(826

)

Proceeds from sale of real estate

 

26

 

 

43

 

Other

 

(11

)

 

—

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(562

)

 

(783

)

Financing activities

 

 

Net borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

7

 

 

85

 

Deferred financing costs

 

—

 

 

(6

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

—

 

 

(658

)

Shares withheld for taxes on vested restricted shares

 

(16

)

 

(21

)

Dividends paid

 

(220

)

 

(239

)

Repayment of long-term borrowings

 

(275

)

 

—

 

Finance lease and financing obligation payments

 

(93

)

 

(106

)

Proceeds from financing obligations

 

21

 

 

11

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

—

 

 

1

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(576

)

 

(933

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

30

 

 

(1,434

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

153

 

 

1,587

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

183

 

$

153

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240312215447/en/

Investor Relations: Mark Rupe, (262) 703-1266, mark.rupe@kohls.com

Media: Jen Johnson, (262) 703-5241, jen.johnson@kohls.com