Kohl's, the once-thriving department store chain, has announced the closure of 27 underperforming locations across the United States, a decision that reflects the ongoing struggles within the brick-and-mortar retail sector. The closures are set to take effect by April, impacting several states and sparking concerns among employees and shoppers alike.

In a statement, Kohl's emphasized that while it remains confident in its profitable stores, the selected locations failed to meet performance expectations. Employees at the affected stores can expect to receive severance packages or will have the option to transfer to other Kohl's locations.

The retailer, which currently operates over 1,150 stores nationwide, is also planning to close its San Bernardino E-commerce Fulfillment Center in May, coinciding with the expiration of its lease. This move is part of a strategic shift as Kohl's enhances its ability to process online orders directly from its stores, leveraging new technologies that streamline fulfillment.

Kohl's recent financial results have shown a significant downturn, with net sales in the third quarter plummeting nearly 9% year-over-year to $3.5 billion. The company reported a net income of only $22 million, down sharply from $59 million in the same quarter the previous year. Consequently, Kohl's shares have taken a steep dive, losing more than half their value over the past twelve months.

This trend of physical store closures isn't isolated to Kohl's. The retail industry as a whole is seeing a contraction, with major players like Macy's announcing the shutdown of 66 stores late last year as part of their recovery efforts. In fact, research firm CoreSight reported that over 7,100 stores closed their doors throughout 2024, marking a staggering 69% increase compared to the previous year.

Here’s a comprehensive list of the 27 Kohl's stores slated for closure:

Alabama

- Spanish Fort - 21000 Town Center Ave.

Arkansas

- Little Rock West - 13909 Chenal Pkwy.

California

- Balboa (San Diego) - 5505 Balboa Ave. - Encinitas - 134 N El Camino Real - Fremont - 43782 Christy St. - Mountain View - 350 Showers Dr. - Napa - 1116 1st St. - Pleasanton - 4525 Rosewood Dr. - Point West (Sacramento) - 1896 Arden Way - San Rafael - 5010 Northgate Dr. - San Luis Obispo - 205 Madonna Rd. - Westchester - 8739 S Sepulveda Blvd.

Colorado

- Arapahoe Crossing (Aurora) - 6584 S Parker Rd.

Georgia

- Duluth - 2050 W Liddell Rd.

Idaho

- Boise - 400 N Milwaukee St.

Illinois

- Plainfield - 11860 S Route 59 - Spring Hill (West Dundee) - 3000 Spring Hill Ring Rd.

Massachusetts

- Stoughton - 501 Technology Center Dr.

New Jersey

- East Windsor - 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd.

Ohio

- Blue Ash - 4150 Hunt Rd. - Forest Park (Cincinnati) - 100 Cincinnati Mills Dr.

Oregon

- Portland Gateway - 10010 NE Halsey St.

Pennsylvania

- Pottstown - 351 W Schuylkill Rd.

Texas

- North Dallas - 18224 Preston Rd.

Utah

- Riverton - 13319 S 3600 W Ste 13LOT.

Virginia

As Kohl's navigates these challenging times, the closures could be a pivotal move to adapt to the evolving retail landscape, but it raises questions about the future of similar stores. Will these efforts be enough to revitalize the retailer, or are further closures imminent? Only time will tell.