Kohl's CEO Appointment Names Michael Bender

Kohl's CEO appointment made Michael J. Bender permanent chief executive of Kohl's Corporation (NYSE: KSS), effective November 23, 2025, after he served as interim CEO beginning May 1, 2025. The board said the move aims to stabilize leadership while the retailer addresses falling sales and profit pressures.

Board Names Michael Bender CEO

The company said in a press release on November 24, 2025, that the board unanimously appointed Bender to accelerate Kohl’s turnaround amid weak comparable-store sales and profitability challenges. The board interviewed multiple external candidates before selecting the director. “Over the past several months as interim CEO, Michael has proven to be an exceptional leader for Kohl’s,” the board said.

Bender has served on Kohl’s board since July 2019. He previously led Eyemart Express and held executive roles at Walmart and Victoria’s Secret. His promotion follows the abrupt departure of Ashley Buchanan, who was terminated after undisclosed business dealings and a personal relationship with a vendor. Buchanan had served only a few months as CEO.

Sales, Profitability and Guidance

In the second quarter of 2025, Kohl’s reported net sales declined 5.1% year over year to $3.3 billion, with comparable-store sales down 4.2%. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.44, above analyst forecasts of $0.30. The company raised full-year 2025 earnings guidance while projecting lower net and comparable sales but improved profitability driven by expense discipline and inventory management.

Analysts expect same-store sales to decline about 4.0% in the third quarter, keeping near-term revenue trends under scrutiny. Kohl’s is scheduled to report third-quarter results on November 25, 2025, a key test of whether profit gains can be sustained under Bender’s leadership amid ongoing sales weakness.