Online, they have taken their commitment to convenience even further, and you'll find there's more to like at Kohls.com with every click of your mouse.

They not only offer the best merchandise at the best prices, but they are always working to make your shopping experience enjoyable.

Here is a brief example of their history.  They have done more, and continue to do more, but here is a summary...

1962 The story of their company began in 1962 when Max Kohl opened the first Kohl's Department Store in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He started his career with a small grocery business that developed into the largest supermarket chain in the Milwaukee area.  Then he expanded into retail, creating Kohl's Department Stores. He positioned Kohl's between the higher-end department stores and the discounters, selling everything from candy to engine oil to sporting equipment.

1978 BATUS, Inc., the U.S. division of BAT Industries, (British American Tobacco) PLC, purchased an 80 percent stake in the Kohl's Food and Department Stores and took complete control of the company. At that time, the Kohl family withdrew from the operations of the company.

1992 they took a major step in preparing for their future growth by becoming a public company when they completed an initial public offering of 11.1 million shares, one of Wisconsin's largest initial offerings.  They began expanding and upgrading their distribution facilities, automating merchandise handling and developing plans to open 14-16 new stores each year.  Their distribution center in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, which supplied their stores with 98 percent of their merchandise, was expanded to 500,000 square feet. This was enough capacity to service 120 stores.

From 1992 to 1999 they more than tripled their number of stores to 259, while their revenues quadrupled, from $1.1 billion to $4.6 billion. Their stock split two for one in April 1996.

1998 Kohl's joins the S&P 500. Their stock splits two for one in April.

1999 Their fourth distribution center was completed in Blue Springs, Missouri. It had capacity for 80 to 100 stores and served the South Central part of the country.

2000 They operated 298 stores in 25 states with 43,000 Associates. They targeted several new markets, entering the Northeast, including Connecticut, New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.  they also added an e-commerce fulfillment center in Monroe,Ohio. Their stock split two for one in March.

2001 They entered the fast growing Atlanta market with 15 stores. Other new markets included Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Austin, Fayetteville and El Paso. To facilitate this drive into the South Central part of United States, they opened a fifth distribution center in Corsicana, Texas. The introduction of Kohls.com brought online shopping to their customers, providing the added convenience of shopping from home.

2002 They entered the Boston and Houston markets and also opened their first stores in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, as well as in Nashville, Tennessee.  Kohl's introduced a new store prototype designed for smaller markets.  New distribution centers opened in Mamakating, New York to support the Northeast region, and in Corsicana, Texas to support the Houston market and the South Central region. Net sales were $9.1 billion in 2002.

2003 Their then CEO Larry Montgomery was appointed chairman of the board of directors.  They opened 28 stores in California, giving their company a coast-to-coast presence for the first time in their history. These stores were supported by a new distribution center in San Bernadino, California. In late 2003, we continued our Southwest expansion, with new stores in Arizona and Nevada bringing their total to 542 stores.

2005 They opened 95 stores in both new and existing markets, operating 732 stores in 41 states at the end of the year, supported by 107,000 Associates. New markets included Buffalo, New York and Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida. To support this new southeastern push, they opened their eighth distribution center, in Macon, Georgia.

2006 they opened 85 new stores, including their expansion into the Northwest with new stores in Oregon and Washington. They now operated in every region of the country. To support this new region, as well as their continuing growth in the Southwest, they opened their ninth distribution center in Patterson, California, with the capacity to support 110 stores.  By the end of the year, they operated 817 stores in 47 states with 114,000 Associates.  They introduced a new innovation store design. From the exterior showcase windows displaying the latest fashions, to creative merchandise displays highlighting the newest trends, the innovation stores encouraged our shoppers to browse every department.  They expanded their collection of exclusive lines with the introduction of Tony Hawk and Chaps for women and boys.

2007 In September, they introduced the Food Network brand and launched the highlyanticipated Simply Vera Vera Wang line. The Simply Vera Vera Wang launch was the largest launch in their history and was designed in partnership with the celebrated American designer Vera Wang. The collection spans the entire store, including readyto-wear misses', accessories, jewelry, footwear, intimate apparel and soft home.

2008 they introduced Jumping Beans, a new children's private brand and Gold Toe, a national hosiery brand; expanded the Elle brand to all stores nationwide; launched the Bobby Flay line, an expansion of their Food Network relationship; and launched FILA Sport, a collection of women's, men's and children's apparel, footwear and accessories.  In August, Kevin Mansell was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Larry Montgomery, former CEO, remains as Chairman.

2009 they opened their first store in Alaska, expanding their presence to 49 states. Spring marked the launch of the Dana Buchman and Hang Ten brands. Dana Buchman is a modern classic brand which spans several categories, including women's apparel, intimate apparel, accessories and footwear. Hang Ten is a California lifestyle collection for young shoppers. They also announced an exclusive agreement which expands their current Mudd merchandise assortment in apparel, accessories, jewelry and domestics.  In April, they announced an exclusive partnership with Lauren Conrad, for LC Lauren Conrad, a contemporary lifestyle brand that will launch in the women's department inapproximately 300 Kohl's stores and Kohls.com October 2009. The brand is ultimately planned to expand to all stores nationwide.

The history continues.. to learn the rest, please visit Kohl's.

The mission at Kohl's is to be the leading family-focused, value-oriented, specialty department store offering quality exclusive and national brand merchandise to the customer in an environment that is convenient, friendly and exciting.

You can learn more about Kohl's Corporation at their website.

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