Kohl's Corporation Reports Earnings of $0.63 Per Diluted Share for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2009

• Press Release
• Source: Kohl’s Corporation
• On 7:00 am EST, Thursday November 12, 2009

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE:KSS - News):

• Net Income Increases 20 percent for Third Quarter
• Management Raises Fiscal 2009 Sales and Earnings Guidance

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Symbol	Price	Change
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Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE:KSS - News). Kohl’s Corporation today reported results for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended October 31, 2009.

Kohl’s Corporation reported net income for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 increased 20 percent to $193 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to $160 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, a year ago. Net sales were $4.1 billion, an increase of 6.5 percent for the quarter. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 2.4 percent.

For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, net income was $560 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, compared to $549 million, or $1.79 per diluted share, for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Net sales increased 3.1 percent to $11.5 billion from $11.2 billion a year ago. Comparable store sales decreased 1.3 percent for the same period.

Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, “We were pleased with our sales performance in the third quarter as we achieved a positive comparable sales increase in a very difficult environment. In addition, we continue to experience improvement in inventory management and increased penetration in “Only at Kohl’s” brands that have led to increased cash flow and consistently improved gross margins. Our expense performance allowed us to enjoy significant leverage on the increased sales. As we enter the fourth quarter, we will continue to focus on providing value for our customers as we expect them to continue to be conservative in their spending during this holiday season.”

Mansell added, “I am very proud of our associates and the role they played in these results and want to thank them for their hard work, loyalty and dedication in delivering on our promise to ‘expect great things’ from Kohl’s."

Expansion Update

During the first nine months of 2009, Kohl’s successfully opened 56 stores. The Company ended the quarter with 1,059 stores in 49 states, compared with 1,004 stores in 48 states at the same time last year. The Company completed 51 store remodels, compared to 36 stores last year.

Earnings Guidance

For the fourth quarter, the Company expects total sales to increase between 3 and 6 percent; comparable store sales to range between negative 1 and positive 2 percent; and gross margin as a percent of sales to increase 50 to 60 basis points over last year. The Company expects selling, general and administrative expenses to increase between 4 and 5 percent. This would result in earnings per diluted share of $1.14 - $1.24 for the fourth quarter and $2.98 - $3.08 for fiscal 2009.

Third Quarter 2009 Earnings Conference Call

Investors will have an opportunity to listen to the third quarter earnings conference call at 8:30 AM EST on November 12 by dialing (706) 902-0486, using Conference ID 37529228. A replay of the call will also be accessible beginning at 9:20 AM EST on November 12, until midnight EST on December 12, 2009. To listen to the replay, dial (706) 645-9291, and use Conference ID 37529228.

In addition, the call will be web cast live over the Internet through the Company's web site located at http://www.kohlscorporation.com/InvestorRelations/event-calendar.htm. To participate in the conference, register at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=60706&eventID=2507481 at least ten minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. The web cast will be available for 30 days.

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 including guidance on the Company’s targeted sales and earnings. Kohl's intends forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause Kohl's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A in Kohl’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Kohl's filings with the SEC.

About Kohl’s

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS - News) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 1,059 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $126 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids® philanthropic program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Kohl’s Corporation
Investor Relations:
Wes McDonald, Chief Financial Officer, (262) 703-1893
or
Media:
Vicki Shamion, Vice President – Public Relations, (262) 703-1464