Kohl’s reported that sales for the four-week period ending December 1, 2007 increased 20.0 percent over the four-week period ending November 25, 2006. On a comparable store basis, sales increased 10.2 percent.

For the 43 weeks ended December 1, 2007, total sales were up 9.9 percent while comparable store sales increased 2.0 percent. Kohl’s Corporation third quarter earnings per diluted share were $0.61 in 2007 compared with $0.68 in last year’s period. Net income was $194.0 million compared with $224.5 million a year ago, a decrease of 13.6 percent. Net sales increased to $3.8 billion from $3.7 billion a year ago, an increase of 4.8 percent for the quarter. Comparable store sales decreased 2.6 percent for the same period.

With 949 doors already open across 47 states, and projections to increase that number to over 1400 in the coming 5 years, Kohl’s is poised to keep up their momentum in the market. According to their strategic plan through 2012, “Kohl’s will enhance its geographically tailored assortments in addition to ensuring strong in-stock position of the right style, size and color for customers nationwide. Kohl’s also remains focused on encouraging cross-shopping among departments by maximizing consumer communication from engaging in-store presentations, such as introducing accessories fixtures in juniors’ for creating wardrobe inspiration, to integrating head-to-toe messaging across all advertising and marketing mediums.”

As far as an in-store experience goes, Kohl’s continues to deliver the neatest, simplest and most pleasant shopping in the mid to mass level. Brands such as Hawk in mens and boys, Daisy Fuentes in women’s, Candies in Juniors and girls continue to have resonance with the audience while newcomers Seven 7 in denim is enjoying brilliant success thanks to a loophole in the original licensing of the brand.

There is nothing to be said about Kohl’s other than they are the ones to watch. They continue to offer intelligent brands, even when they are created by the corporation, and they offer customer service above and beyond what we normally see at this level. We look forward to seeing how they will implement cross-platform shopping to create that head to toe excitement, which is the last frontier for this retailer!

Girls: Note how Kohl’s has tried to capitalize on the Bobby Jack scene by creating little monkeys and cats of their own. They also offer a brilliant assortment of dressy knit tops to give girls a comfy dress up option for the holidays. We also love Periscope’s cut and sew sweater with strass circle pin; a great ‘faux’ sweater look!