KOHLS Corp 10-Q for FY2025 Q1
KOHLS Corp (KSS)
About this 10-Q
KOHLS Corp filed this 10-Q on June 6, 2024, covering the quarter ended May 4, 2024 (FY2025 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended May 4, 2024, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $3.38B
- down 5.3% from $3.57B a year earlier
- Net loss
- $27M
- compared with net income of $14M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$0.24
- compared with $0.13 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Transition period from ________ to _________
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Accelerated Filer |
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Smaller Reporting Company |
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Emerging Growth Company |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: May 31, 2024 Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share,
KOHL’S CORPORATION
INDEX
PART I |
3 |
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Item 1. |
3 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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Item 2. |
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
11 |
Item 3. |
18 |
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Item 4. |
18 |
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PART II |
20 |
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Item 1. |
20 |
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Item 1A. |
20 |
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Item 2. |
20 |
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Item 5. |
20 |
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Item 6. |
21 |
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22 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
February 3, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Assets |
(Unaudited) |
(Audited) |
(Unaudited) |
Current assets: |
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Merchandise inventories |
|||
Other |
|||
Total current assets |
|||
Property and equipment, net |
|||
Operating leases |
|||
Other assets |
|||
Total assets |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Accrued liabilities |
|||
Borrowings under revolving credit facility |
|||
Current portion of: |
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Long-term debt |
— |
— |
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Finance leases and financing obligations |
|||
Operating leases |
|||
Total current liabilities |
|||
Long-term debt |
|||
Finance leases and financing obligations |
|||
Operating leases |
|||
Deferred income taxes |
|||
Other long-term liabilities |
|||
Shareholders’ equity: |
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Common stock |
|||
Paid-in capital |
|||
Treasury stock, at cost |
( |
( |
( |
Retained earnings |
|||
Total shareholders’ equity |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
$ |
$ |
$ |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
3
KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Net sales |
$ |
$ |
Other revenue |
||
Total revenue |
||
Cost of merchandise sold |
||
Operating expenses: |
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Selling, general, and administrative |
||
Depreciation and amortization |
||
Operating income |
||
Interest expense, net |
||
(Loss) income before income taxes |
( |
|
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |
( |
— |
Net (loss) income |
$( |
$ |
Net (loss) income per share: |
|
|
Basic |
$( |
$ |
Diluted |
$( |
$ |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4
KOHL’S CORPORATION
(Unaudited)
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Common stock |
|
|
Balance, beginning of period |
$ |
$ |
Stock-based awards |
— |
— |
Retirement of treasury stock |
— |
( |
Balance, end of period |
$ |
$ |
|
|
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Paid-in capital |
|
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Balance, beginning of period |
$ |
$ |
Stock-based awards |
||
Balance, end of period |
$ |
$ |
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|
Treasury stock |
|
|
Balance, beginning of period |
$( |
$( |
Stock-based awards |
( |
( |
Dividends paid |
||
Retirement of treasury stock |
— |
|
Balance, end of period |
$( |
$( |
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Retained earnings |
|
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Balance, beginning of period |
$ |
$ |
Net (loss) income |
( |
|
Dividends paid |
( |
( |
Retirement of treasury stock |
— |
( |
Balance, end of period |
$ |
$ |
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Total shareholders' equity, end of period |
$ |
$ |
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Common stock |
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Shares, beginning of period |
||
Stock-based awards |
— |
— |
Retirement of treasury stock |
— |
( |
Shares, end of period |
||
Treasury stock |
|
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Shares, beginning of period |
( |
( |
Retirement of treasury stock |
— |
|
Stock-based awards |
— |
— |
Shares, end of period |
( |
( |
Total shares outstanding, end of period |
||
|
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Dividends paid per common share |
$ |
$ |
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
5
KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Operating activities |
|
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Net (loss) income |
$( |
$ |
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
||
Share-based compensation |
||
Deferred income taxes |
( |
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Non-cash lease expense |
||
Other non-cash items |
( |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Merchandise inventories |
( |
( |
Other current and long-term assets |
( |
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Accounts payable |
( |
|
Accrued and other long-term liabilities |
( |
|
Operating lease liabilities |
( |
( |
Net cash used in operating activities |
( |
( |
Investing activities |
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Acquisition of property and equipment |
( |
( |
Proceeds from sale of real estate |
— |
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Other |
— |
( |
Net cash used in investing activities |
( |
( |
Financing activities |
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Net borrowings under revolving credit facility |
||
Shares withheld for taxes on vested restricted shares |
( |
( |
Dividends paid |
( |
( |
Repayment of long-term borrowings |
— |
( |
Finance lease and financing obligation payments |
( |
( |
Proceeds from financing obligations |
— |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ |
$ |
Supplemental information |
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Interest paid, net of capitalized interest |
$ |
$ |
Income taxes paid |
||
Property and equipment acquired (disposed) through exchange of: |
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Finance lease liabilities |
( |
( |
Operating lease liabilities |
||
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
KOHL’S CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for fiscal year end Consolidated Financial Statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and related footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 (Commission File No. 1-11084) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Due to the seasonality of the business of Kohl’s Corporation (the “Company,” “Kohl’s,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.
We operate as a single business unit.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted
There are no recently adopted accounting pronouncements that had a material impact on our financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued but not yet Effective
Standard |
Description |
Effect on our Financial Statements |
Segment Reporting (ASU 2023-07) Issued November 2023
Effective for Fiscal Years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 |
The amendments in this ASU improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures around significant segment expenses. |
We are evaluating the impact of the new required disclosures on our financial statements but do not expect the effect of the adoption to be material. |
Income Taxes (ASU 2023-09) Issued December 2023
Effective for Fiscal Years beginning after December 15, 2024 |
The ASU requires entities to provide additional information in the rate reconciliation table and additional disclosures around income taxes paid. |
We are evaluating the impact of the new required disclosures on our financial statements but do not expect the effect of the adoption to be material. |
7
2. Revenue Recognition
The following table summarizes Net sales by line of business:
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Women's |
$ |
$ |
Accessories (including Sephora) |
||
Men's |
||
Home |
||
Children's |
||
Footwear |
||
Net Sales |
$ |
$ |
Unredeemed gift cards and merchandise return card liabilities totaled $
3. Debt
Outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, recorded as short-term debt, were $
Long-term debt, which excludes borrowings on the revolving credit facility, consists of the following unsecured debt:
|
|
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Outstanding |
||
Maturity (Dollars in Millions) |
Effective Rate at Issuance |
Coupon Rate |
May 4, |
February 3, |
April 29, |
2023 |
$— |
$— |
$ |
||
2025 |
|||||
2025 |
|||||
2029 |
|||||
2031 |
|||||
2033 |
|||||
2037 |
|||||
2045 |
|||||
Outstanding unsecured senior debt |
|
|
|||
Unamortized debt discounts and deferred financing costs |
|
|
( |
( |
( |
Current portion of unsecured senior debt |
|
|
— |
— |
( |
Long-term unsecured senior debt |
|
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
Effective interest rate at issuance |
|
|
|||
Our estimated fair value of unsecured senior long-term debt is determined using Level 1 inputs, using financial instruments with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. The estimated fair value of our unsecured senior debt was $
Our various debt agreements contain covenants including limitations on additional indebtedness and certain financial tests. As of May 4, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants of the various debt agreements.
8
4. Stock-Based Awards
The following table summarizes our stock-based awards activity for the three months ended May 4, 2024:
|
Nonvested Restricted Stock Awards and Units |
Performance Share Units |
||
(Shares and Units in Thousands) |
Shares |
Weighted |
Units |
Weighted |
Balance - February 3, 2024 |
$ |
$ |
||
Granted |
||||
Vested |
( |
( |
||
Forfeited |
( |
|||
Balance - May 4, 2024 |
$ |
$ |
||
In 2019, we issued
5. Contingencies
Note 7, Contingencies, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024, contains a description of an ongoing legal proceeding, as to which there have been no material developments as of May 4, 2024.
On May 16, 2024, David Kelley, an alleged shareholder of the Company, filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin purportedly on behalf of the Company and against current and former members of the Board of Directors of the Company as Defendants, and the Company as Nominal Defendant. Kelley v. Boneparth, No. 2:24-cv-00604-LA (E.D. Wis.). The plaintiff asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory damages, restitution, fees, and costs. The complaint makes similar allegations to the shareholder class action described in Note 7, Contingencies, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024. In particular, the complaint alleges that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Company and were unjustly enriched by causing or allowing the Company to disseminate allegedly false or misleading statements regarding (1) the conception, execution, and outcomes of the Company’s strategic plan announced on October 20, 2020, (2) the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, disclosure controls, and corporate governance mechanisms, and (3) the Company’s consideration of acquisition offers. Defendants deny the allegations in the complaint and intend to vigorously defend against them. Due to the early stages of this matter, the Company is unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter.
In addition to what is noted above, we are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims arising out of the ordinary conduct of our business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
6. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2024 was
9
7. Net (Loss) Income Per Share
Basic net (loss) income per share is net (loss) income divided by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net (loss) income per share includes incremental shares assumed for share-based awards and stock warrants. The potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period include unvested restricted stock units, unvested restricted stock awards, and warrants, which utilize the treasury stock method, as well as unvested performance share units that utilize the contingently issuable share method. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computations of diluted (loss) earnings per share ("EPS") if their effect would be anti-dilutive.
The information required to compute basic and diluted net (loss) income per share is as follows:
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except per Share Data) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Numerator—Net (loss) income |
$( |
$ |
Denominator—Weighted-average shares: |
|
|
Basic |
||
Dilutive impact |
||
Diluted |
||
Net (loss) income per share: |
|
|
Basic |
$( |
$ |
Diluted |
$( |
$ |
The following potential shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted net (loss) income per share calculation because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:
|
Quarter Ended |
|
(Shares in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Anti-dilutive shares |
||
8. Subsequent Events
On May 14, 2024, we sent notification of a make whole call to noteholders to redeem the remaining $
On
10
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
For purposes of the following discussion, unless noted, all references to "the quarter” and “the first quarter” are for the three fiscal months (13 weeks) ended May 4, 2024 or April 29, 2023.
This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” made within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "intends," "will," "should," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the statements under management's discussion and analysis, financial and capital allocation outlook and may include comments about our future sales or financial performance and our plans, performance and other objectives, expectations or intentions, such as statements regarding our liquidity, debt service requirements, planned capital expenditures, future store initiatives, and adequacy of capital resources and reserves. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s then-current views and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any such forward-looking statements are qualified by the important risk factors, described in Part I Item 1A of our 2023 Form 10-K, or disclosed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and we undertake no obligation to update them.
Executive Summary
Kohl's is a leading omnichannel retailer operating 1,176 stores and a website (www.Kohls.com) as of May 4, 2024. Our Kohl's stores and website sell moderately-priced private and national brand apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products. Our Kohl's stores generally carry a consistent merchandise assortment with some differences attributable to local preferences, store size, and Sephora at Kohl's shop-in-shops ("Sephora shops"). Our website includes merchandise which is available in our stores, as well as merchandise that is available only online.
Key financial results for the quarter include:
Our Strategy
Kohl's strategy is focused on delivering long-term shareholder value. To achieve this, the Company has established four overarching priorities to drive improved sales and profitability. These priorities include enhancing the customer experience, accelerating and simplifying its value strategies, managing inventory and expenses with discipline, and strengthening the balance sheet.
11
Updated 2024 Financial and Capital Allocation Outlook
For the full year 2024, which has 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in full year 2023, the Company's guidance includes the potential impact from credit card late fee regulatory changes in the second half of 2024. The Company currently expects the following:
Results of Operations
Total Revenue
|
Quarter Ended |
||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
Net sales |
$3,178 |
$3,355 |
$(177) |
Other revenue |
204 |
216 |
(12) |
Total revenue |
$3,382 |
$3,571 |
$(189) |
Net sales includes revenue from the sale of merchandise, net of expected returns and deferrals due to future performance obligations, and shipping revenue.
Net sales decreased 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023.
|
Quarter Ended |
|
|
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
Women's |
$923 |
$988 |
(6.6%) |
Accessories (including Sephora) |
618 |
512 |
20.7% |
Men's |
600 |
695 |
(13.7%) |
Home |
392 |
433 |
(9.5%) |
Children's |
344 |
403 |
(14.6%) |
Footwear |
301 |
324 |
(7.1%) |
Net Sales |
$3,178 |
$3,355 |
(5.3%) |
12
Comparable sales decreased 4.4%. Comparable sales is a measure that highlights the performance of our stores and digital channel by measuring the change in sales for a period over the comparable, prior-year period of equivalent length. Comparable sales includes all store and digital sales, except sales from stores open less than twelve months, stores that have been closed, and stores that have been relocated where square footage has changed by more than 10%.
Digital sales decreased 6%, and digital penetration represented 25% of net sales compared to 26% for the first quarter of 2023. We measure the change in digital sales by including all sales initiated online or through mobile applications, including omnichannel transactions which are fulfilled through our stores. We measure digital penetration as digital sales over net sales. These amounts do not take into consideration fulfillment node, digital returns processed in stores, and coupon behaviors.
Comparable sales and digital penetration measures vary across the retail industry. As a result, our comparable sales calculation and digital penetration may not be consistent with the similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Other revenue includes revenue from credit card operations, third-party advertising on our website, unused gift cards and merchandise return cards (breakage), and other non-merchandise revenue.
Other revenue decreased $12 million driven by increasing credit loss rates within our credit business.
As it relates to our credit business and recent regulatory developments, on March 5, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule lowering the safe harbor dollar amount credit card companies can charge for late fees for a missed payment. Unless blocked by court order prior to becoming effective, the rule reduces the typical amount of late fees that can be charged, which could have a negative impact on Kohl’s credit card revenues, particularly if Kohl’s steps to mitigate the impact of such rule are not successful. We are actively pursuing various initiatives to mitigate the effects of this potential ruling including scaling our recently launched co-brand card and other various initiatives with Capital One, our credit partner. We are closely monitoring developments on the issue.
Cost of Merchandise Sold and Gross Margin
|
Quarter Ended |
|||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
|
Net sales |
$3,178 |
$3,355 |
$(177) |
|
Cost of merchandise sold |
1,923 |
2,047 |
(124) |
|
Gross margin |
$1,255 |
$1,308 |
$(53) |
|
Gross margin as a percent of net sales |
39.5% |
39.0% |
48 |
bps |
Cost of merchandise sold includes the total cost of products sold, including product development costs, net of vendor payments other than reimbursement of specific, incremental, and identifiable costs; inventory shrink; markdowns; freight expenses associated with moving merchandise from our vendors to our distribution centers; shipping expenses for digital sales; and terms cash discount. Our cost of merchandise sold may not be comparable with that of other retailers because we include distribution center and buying costs in selling, general, and administrative expenses while other retailers may include these expenses in cost of merchandise sold.
Gross margin is calculated as net sales less cost of merchandise sold. For the first quarter of 2024, gross margin was 39.5% of net sales, an increase of 48 basis points to last year. The increase was driven by strong inventory management as we had fewer markdowns from managing our inventory down 13%, as we continue to benefit from operating with greater flexibility, as well as lower freight costs. This was partially offset by elevated shrink levels.
13
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense
|
Quarter Ended |
|||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
|
SG&A |
$1,228 |
$1,238 |
$(10) |
|
As a percent of total revenue |
36.3% |
34.7% |
166 |
bps |
SG&A includes compensation and benefit costs (including stores, corporate, buying, and distribution centers); occupancy and operating costs of our retail, distribution, and corporate facilities; freight expenses associated with moving merchandise from our distribution centers to our retail stores and among distribution and retail facilities other than expenses to fulfill digital sales; marketing expenses, offset by vendor payments for reimbursement of specific, incremental, and identifiable costs; expenses related to our credit card operations; and other administrative revenues and expenses. We do not include depreciation and amortization in SG&A. The classification of these expenses varies across the retail industry.
Many of our expenses, including store payroll and distribution costs, are variable in nature. These costs generally increase as sales increase and decrease as sales decrease. We measure our expenses as a percentage of revenue and changes in this percentage compared to the prior year. If the expense as a percent of revenue decreased from the prior year, the expense "leveraged". If the expense as a percent of revenue increased over the prior year, the expense "deleveraged".
The following table summarizes the changes in SG&A by expense type:
|
Quarter Ended |
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
Distribution |
$(11) |
Store expenses |
(4) |
Corporate and other |
1 |
Marketing |
4 |
Total decrease |
$(10) |
SG&A expenses decreased $10 million, or 0.8%, to $1.2 billion, driven by lower distribution costs. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A deleveraged by 166 basis points. The decrease was driven by disciplined expense management across the organization. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in marketing expenses and an investment in our new growth initiatives including Sephora shops and impulse queuing lines.
Other Expenses
|
Quarter Ended |
||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
Depreciation and amortization |
$188 |
$188 |
$— |
Interest expense, net |
83 |
84 |
(1) |
Depreciation and amortization was flat to last year as reduced capital spending in technology was offset by increased store investments, including the Sephora shops.
Net interest expense decreased in the first quarter of 2024 due to the reduced outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility partially offset by Sephora shops related lease amendments.
14
Income Taxes
|
Quarter Ended |
||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
(Benefit) provision for income taxes |
$(13) |
$— |
$(13) |
Effective tax rate |
32.5% |
3.8% |
|
In both periods, the tax rate was driven by the recognition of favorable tax items. The impact of the 2024 benefit of the favorable tax items, when compared to a pre-tax loss, results in increasing the tax rate from the statutory rate. The impact of the 2023 benefit of the favorable tax items, when compared to pre-tax income, results in decreasing the tax rate from the statutory rate.
Seasonality and Inflation
Our business, like that of other retailers, is subject to seasonal influences. Sales and income are typically higher during the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.
We expect that our operations will continue to be influenced by general economic conditions, including food, fuel and energy prices, employment rates, wage inflation, and costs to source our merchandise, including tariffs. There can be no assurances that such factors will not impact our business in the future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Allocation
Our capital allocation strategy is to invest to maximize our overall long-term return and maintain a strong balance sheet, with a long-term objective of achieving an investment grade rating. We follow a disciplined approach to capital allocation based on the following priorities: first we invest in our business to drive long-term profitable growth; second we pay a quarterly dividend; third we will complete debt reduction transactions, when appropriate; and fourth we return excess cash to shareholders through our share repurchase program.
We will continue to invest in the business, as we plan to invest approximately $500 million in 2024, which includes investment in impulse queuing lines, small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of the Babies “R” Us partnership, and new store openings. We remain committed to the dividend, and on May 15, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend will be paid on June 26, 2024 to all shareholders of record at the close of business on June 12, 2024. On May 14, 2024, we exercised our right to redeem the remaining $113 million of our 9.50% notes due May 15, 2025. The redemption will be completed on June 13, 2024. We are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Our period-end cash and cash equivalents balance decreased to $228 million from $286 million in the first quarter of 2023. Our cash and cash equivalents balance includes short-term investments of $9 million and $108 million as of May 4, 2024, and April 29, 2023, respectively. Our investment policy is designed to preserve principal and liquidity of our short-term investments. This policy allows investments in large money market funds or in highly rated direct short-term instruments. We also place dollar limits on our investments in individual funds or instruments.
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The following table presents our primary uses and sources of cash:
Cash Uses |
|
Cash Sources |
• Operational needs, including salaries, rent, taxes, and other operating costs • Inventory • Capital expenditures • Dividend payments • Debt reduction • Share repurchases |
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• Cash flow from operations • Line of credit under our revolving credit facility • Issuance of debt
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Quarter Ended |
||
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Change |
Net cash (used in) provided by: |
|
|
|
Operating activities |
$(7) |
$(202) |
$195 |
Investing activities |
(126) |
(94) |
(32) |
Financing activities |
178 |
429 |
(251) |
Operating Activities
Our operating cash outflows generally consist of payments to our employees for wages, salaries and other employee benefits, payments to our merchandise vendors for inventory (net of vendor allowances), payments to our shipping carriers, and payments to our landlords for rent. Operating cash outflows also include payments for income taxes and interest payments on our debt borrowings.
Operating activities used $7 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $202 million of cash used in the first quarter of 2023. Operating cash flow increased primarily due to inventory management resulting in managing receipts down 11% versus the prior year. We placed a lower percentage of our overall receipts in the early part of the buying cycle to allow for additional flexibility to chase receipts based on trending sales, establish a better flow of goods to our stores and maintain better in-stock positions, with the goal of minimizing the impact of future markdowns and out-of-stock positions.
Investing Activities
Our investing cash outflows include payments for capital expenditures, including investments in new and existing stores, improvements to supply chain, and technology costs. Our investing cash inflows are generally from proceeds from sales of property and equipment.
Investing activities used $126 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 and $94 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily driven by timing of investments undertaken year to date 2024, consistent with our capital expenditure plans for fiscal 2024.
At the end of the quarter, we had a Sephora presence in over 900 of our stores, including 861 full size 2,500 square foot shops and 77 small format Sephora shops. In 2024, we are planning to open 140 small format Sephora shops, and plan on opening the remaining Sephora shops in 2025 which will bring a Sephora presence to the entire Kohl's chain. In 2024, we anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $500 million, which includes investment in impulse queuing lines, small format Sephora shop openings, the launch of the Babies “R” Us partnership, and new store openings.
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Financing Activities
Our financing strategy is to ensure adequate liquidity and access to capital markets. We also strive to maintain a balanced portfolio of debt maturities, while minimizing our borrowing costs. Our ability to access the public debt market has provided us with adequate sources of liquidity. Our continued access to these markets depends on multiple factors, including the condition of debt capital markets, our operating performance, and maintaining strong credit ratings.
During the first quarter of 2024, Fitch downgraded our senior unsecured credit rating from BBB- to BB+ and revised their outlook to stable. While Moody's reaffirmed our credit rating, they also revised their outlook to stable.
As of May 4, 2024, our senior unsecured credit ratings and outlook were as follows:
|
Moody’s |
S&P |
Fitch |
Long-term debt |
Ba3 |
BB |
BB+ |
Outlook |
Stable |
Negative |
Stable |
The majority of our financing activities generally include proceeds and/or repayments of long-term debt, dividend payments, and repurchases of common stock. Financing cash outflows also include payments to our landlords for leases classified as financing leases and financing obligations.
Financing activities generated $178 million of cash in the first quarter of 2024 and $429 million of cash in the first quarter of 2023.
During the quarter, we drew $263 million on our credit facility compared to $680 million drawn in the first quarter of 2023. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, recorded as short-term debt, had $355 million outstanding as of May 4, 2024, and had $765 million as of April 29, 2023.
There was no cash used for treasury stock purchases in the first quarter of 2024 or 2023. Share repurchases are discretionary in nature. The timing and amount of repurchases are based upon available cash balances, our stock price, and other factors. As previously noted, we are not planning any share repurchases during the current year.
Cash dividend payments were $55 million ($0.50 per share) in both the first quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2023.
Key Financial Ratios
Key financial ratios that provide certain measures of our liquidity are as follows:
(Dollars in Millions) |
May 4, 2024 |
April 29, 2023 |
Working capital |
$643 |
$605 |
Current ratio |
1.21 |
1.17 |
Our working capital and inventory levels typically build throughout the fall, peaking during the November and December holiday selling season.
The increase in our working capital and current ratio are primarily due to a reduction in our borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the repayment of the current portion of long-term debt in 2023 partially offset by a decrease in inventory due to inventory management as our receipts were down 11% versus the prior year.
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Debt Covenant Compliance
Our senior secured, asset based revolving credit facility contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to, a springing financial covenant relating to our fixed charge coverage ratio and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions, and restricted payments. As of May 4, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no significant changes in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2023 Form 10-K other than borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which have been disclosed in Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements and discussed under "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities."
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not provided any financial guarantees arising from arrangements with unconsolidated entities or persons as of May 4, 2024.
We have not created, and are not a party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt, or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into our financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Management has discussed the development, selection, and disclosure of its estimates and assumptions with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no significant changes in the market risks described in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (the “Evaluation”) at a reasonable assurance level as of the last day of the period covered by this report.
Based upon the Evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
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It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended May 4, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For a description of our legal proceedings, see Note 5, Contingencies, of the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated by reference in response to this item.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no significant changes in the Risk Factors described in our 2023 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
In February 2022, our Board of Directors increased the remaining share repurchase authorization under our existing share repurchase program to $3.0 billion. Purchases under the repurchase program may be made in the open market, through block trades, and other negotiated transactions. We expect to execute the share repurchase program primarily in open market transactions, subject to market conditions. There is no fixed termination date for the repurchase program, and the program may be suspended, discontinued, or accelerated at any time.
The following table contains information for shares of common stock repurchased and shares acquired from employees in lieu of amounts required to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of the employees’ stock-based compensation during the three fiscal months ended May 4, 2024:
(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data) |
Total Number |
Average |
Total Number |
Approximate |
February 4 - March 2, 2024 |
10,373 |
$28.11 |
— |
$2,476 |
March 3 - April 6, 2024 |
279,696 |
$26.84 |
— |
$2,476 |
April 7 - May 4, 2024 |
38,049 |
$23.31 |
— |
$2,476 |
Total |
328,118 |
$26.47 |
— |
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Item 5. Other Information
During the three months ended May 4, 2024, no director or Section 16 officer of the Company
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit |
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Description |
10.1 |
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10.2 |
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10.3 |
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31.1 |
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31.2 |
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32.1 |
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32.2 |
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101.INS |
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Inline XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
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Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents |
104 |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Kohl’s Corporation (Registrant) |
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Date: June 6, 2024 |
/s/ Jill Timm |
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Jill Timm On behalf of the Registrant and as Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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Exhibit 10.2
PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT
Executive |
Employee ID |
Grant Date |
Target Number of Performance Share Units |
THOMAS KINGSBURY |
|
03/25/2024 |
202,015 |
RECITALS:
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has determined to award to the Executive Performance Share Units, subject to the restrictions contained herein, pursuant to the Company's 2017 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the "Plan"). All terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, including the mutual promises set forth in this agreement and the benefits that the Company expects to derive in connection with the services to be hereafter rendered to it or its subsidiaries by the Executive, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Defined Terms
1.1 Determination Date. The Determination Date shall mean the date on which the Committee determines and certifies, following the applicable Performance Period, whether and to what extent the Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A have been attained; provided, however, that the Determination Date with respect to the applicable Performance Period shall be no later than April 15 of the calendar year following the end of such Performance Period.
1.2 Payment Date. The Payment Date shall mean the date the Committee determines that the shares payable upon achievement of the Performance Goals set forth in Exhibit A shall be paid, which date shall be within thirty (30) business days following the Determination Date.
1.3 Performance Share Unit. Performance Share Unit shall mean a nonvoting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping purposes to be the equivalent to one outstanding share of Common Stock (a “Share”) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Agreement. The Performance Share Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to be made to Executive if such Performance Share Units become payable pursuant to section 2.2 below. The Performance Share Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind. Each Performance Share Unit granted hereunder is intended to qualify as a Performance Share expressed in terms of Common Stock, as authorized under Section 12 of the Plan.
1.4 [Reserved].
1.5 [Reserved].
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ARTICLE II
Performance Share Units
2.1 Award of Performance Share Units. The Company-hereby grants to the Executive an award of Performance Share Units listed above under the heading "Target Number of Performance Share Units" (the "Performance Share Units"), subject to the restrictions contained herein and the provisions of the Plan.
2.2 Performance-Based Right to Payment.
(a) The number of Shares that shall be issued pursuant to the Performance Share Units shall be determined based on the Company's achievement of Performance Goals as set forth on Exhibit A. On the Determination Date, the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine and certify whether and to what extent the Performance Goals as set forth on Exhibit A have been attained. The payment of Shares with respect to Executive's Performance Share Units is contingent on the attainment of the Performance Goals as set forth on Exhibit A. Accordingly, Executive will not become entitled to payment with respect to the Performance Share Units subject to this Agreement unless and until the Committee determines that the Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A have been attained. Upon such determination by the Committee and subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to payment of that portion of the Performance Share Units as corresponds to the Performance Goals attained (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) as set forth on Exhibit A. Furthermore, except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.3, in order to be entitled to payment with respect to any Performance Share Units, Executive must be employed by the Company through the end of the Performance Period.
(b) On the Payment Date, the Company shall deliver to Executive a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares or by entering such shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Performance Share Units subject to this award that are payable pursuant to the achievement of the Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A.
2.3 Forfeiture of Performance Share Units Upon Termination of Employment. Upon Executive's termination of employment prior to the end of the Performance Period, all rights with respect to any unpaid Performance Share Units awarded pursuant to this Agreement shall immediately terminate, and Executive will not be entitled to any payments or benefits with respect thereto; provided, however, that (i) if Executive remains continuously employed through the first anniversary of the Grant Date; (ii) if Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason or (iii) in the event of Executive’s termination of employment by reason of Disability prior to the end of the Performance Period, Executive or Executive’s personal representative, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive, on the Payment Date, Performance Share Units awarded pursuant to this Agreement that would have been paid had Executive remained employed until the end of the Performance Period. In the event of Executive’s termination of employment by reason of Disability prior to the end of the Performance Period, if delivery of the Shares to the Executive on the Payment Date would cause the Executive to be subject to a penalty under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code because Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), the delivery of the Shares will be delayed until a date which is the first business day after the six (6) months after Executive’s termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, in the event of Executive’s termination of employment by reason of death prior to the end of the Performance
2
Period, Executive’s beneficiary shall be entitled to receive, as soon as administratively possible, the number of Performance Share Units listed at the top of this Agreement under the “Target Number of Performance Share Units.” Good Reason under this Section 2.3 shall be interpreted by applying the definition of "good reason" contained in that certain employment agreement between Executive and the Company dated as of May 10, 2023 (the “Employment Agreement”).
2.4 Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the Performance Share Units shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Paragraph 19 of the Plan, as modified by Section 2.3 of this Agreement to the extent applicable.
2.5 Prohibition Against Transfer. The Performance Share Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) by the Executive, or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any transfer in violation of this Section 2.5 shall be void and of no further effect.
ARTICLE III
Miscellaneous
3.1 Provisions of the Plan Control. This Agreement shall be governed by the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Plan empowers the Committee to make interpretations, rules and regulations thereunder, and, in general, provides that determinations of such Committee with respect to the Plan shall be binding upon the Executive. A copy of the Plan will be delivered to the Executive upon reasonable request.
3.2 No Rights as Shareholder. Executive shall not have any right to exercise the rights or privileges of a shareholder with respect to any Performance Share Units or Shares distributable with respect to any Performance Share Units until such Shares are distributed.
3.3 Dividend Equivalents. On the Payment Date (or earlier date of payment in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment by reason of death prior to the end of the Performance Period), in addition to the Shares deliverable under Section 2.2 above, the Company shall issue the Executive or Executive’s beneficiary that number of Shares equal to the Dividend Equivalent Amount. The Dividend Equivalent Amount shall be calculated as of the Payment Date, pursuant to this Section 3.3. In calculating the Dividend Equivalent Amount, the Company shall determine the number of Shares that would have been payable to the Executive if the total number of Performance Share Units earned under Section 2.2 had been outstanding as Shares from the Grant Date until the Payment Date (or earlier date of payment in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment by reason of death prior to the end of the Performance Period) and in lieu of any regular cash dividends, on the declared payment date of each regular cash dividend otherwise payable on such Shares (“Dividend Date”), the Company had issued Executive a number of additional Shares with a Dividend Date Market Value equal to: (i) the per-share dollar amount of the declared dividend multiplied by (ii) the number of Performance Share Units earned under Section 2.2 above plus the number of Shares deemed issued hereunder as dividend equivalents as of the declared record date for the dividend. For purposes of calculating the “Dividend Date Market Value” in the preceding sentence, the Company shall use the closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the Dividend Date. Shares issued hereunder shall be issued in fractional shares.
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3.4 Taxes. The Company may require payment of or withhold any income or employment tax which it believes is payable as a result of the grant or vesting of the Performance Share Units or the payment of Shares in connection therewith, and the Company may defer making delivery with respect to the Shares until arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made with regard to any such withholding obligation. In accordance with the Plan, the Company may withhold shares of Common Stock to satisfy such withholding obligations.
3.5 No Employment Rights. The award of the Performance Share Units pursuant to this Agreement shall not give the Executive any right to remain employed by the Company or any affiliate thereof.
3.6 Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing to the Company in care of its Chief Legal Officer at Kohl's, Inc., N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 53051. Any notice to be given to the Executive may be addressed to him/her at the address as it appears on the payroll records of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been duly given if and when actually received by the party to whom it is addressed, as evidenced by a written receipt to that effect.
3.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and all questions arising hereunder or in connection herewith shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.
3.8 Suspension or Termination of Award; Clawback. Executive acknowledges that this Agreement is subject to Section 23 of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the forfeiture of the Award in the event that Executive makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company trade secret or confidential information or breaches any non-competition agreement.
3.9 Award Acceptance. This Award shall not be effective unless the Executive electronically consents to this Agreement via an online platform, access to which will be provided by the Company, indicating the Executive’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. By electronically consenting to this Agreement via the online platform, the Executive acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.
[Signatures on Following Page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be effective as of the date first written above.
KOHL’s CORPORATION |
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By: |
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/s/ Mari Steinmetz |
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Mari Steinmetz |
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Chief People Officer |
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/s/ Thomas A. Kingsbury |
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Executive |
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5
EXHIBIT A
TO PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT
PERFORMANCE GOALS
Payment of Shares with respect to the Target number of Performance Share Units granted in the Performance Share Agreement is contingent on the attainment of the Performance Goals listed below for the Performance Period. The Committee shall retain the right to determine the calculation of the Performance Goals in the Committee’s reasonable discretion, and subject further to the discretion of the Committee to reduce the number of Performance Share Units actually earned.
Performance Period: February 4, 2024 through January 30, 2027
Performance Metrics:
Cumulative Net Sales for Performance Period |
Percentage of Target Number of Performance Share Units Earned |
Less than 94% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Net Sales |
0% |
94% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Net Sales |
50% |
Financial Plan for Cumulative Net Sales |
100% |
103% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Net Sales |
200% |
Cumulative Operating Margin for Performance Period |
Percentage of Target Number of Performance Share Units Earned |
Less than 85% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Operating Margin |
0% |
85% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Operating Margin |
50% |
Financial Plan for Cumulative Operating Margin |
100% |
115% of Financial Plan for Cumulative Operating Margin |
200% |
6
Performance Period Relative Total Shareholder Return Modifier
If any Performance Share Units are earned based on the above criteria, the number of Performance Share Units earned will be modified up or down as follows based on Kohl’s Relative Total Shareholder Return against a group of selected retailers (the “TSR Modifier Group”, as defined below) during the Performance Period.
Kohl’s TSR as a Percentile of Total Shareholder Return against TSR Modifier Group |
Award Modified |
< 25th Percentile |
Down 25% |
25th Percentile to 75th Percentile |
No Modification |
> 75th Percentile |
Up 25% |
For purposes of the charts above:
“Financial Plan” shall mean the Company’s 2024-2026 Financial Plan, as reviewed by the Committee in the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
“Cumulative Net Sales” shall mean the three-year total of the net sales of the Company as reported in the Company’s 10-K for the applicable fiscal years, adjusted in the Committee’s reasonable discretion to exclude the effects of: extraordinary items, discontinued operations, restructurings, acquisitions or divestitures of any division, business segment, subsidiary or affiliate, acquisition or divestiture of assets that are significant otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, legislative, regulatory or administrative rule changes, other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effect of accounting changes, as determined in the Committee’s reasonable discretion.
“Cumulative Operating Margin” shall mean the three-year total of the “operating income” divided by the “total revenue” of the company for the applicable fiscal years, expressed as a percentage. For purposes of this calculation “operating income” and “total revenue” are defined as the operating income and total revenue, respectively, of the Company as reported in the Company’s 10-K for the applicable fiscal years, adjusted in the Committee’s reasonable discretion to exclude the effects of: extraordinary items, discontinued operations, restructurings, acquisitions or divestitures of any division, business segment, subsidiary or affiliate, acquisition or divestiture of assets that are significant otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, legislative, regulatory or administrative rule changes, other unusual or non-recurring items, and the cumulative effect of accounting changes, as determined in the Committee’s reasonable discretion.
“TSR” shall mean the “total shareholder return” to the company’s shareholders over the applicable Performance Period, calculated by a third party expert using the following formula:
TSR= Stock Priceend-Stock Pricestart+Dividends
Stock Pricestart
“Stock Pricestart” shall mean the average closing price of a share of the respective company's common stock for the 20 trading days prior to the start of the Performance Period on which
7
shares of such company's common stock were traded, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable.
“Stock Priceend” shall mean the average closing price of a share of the respective company's common stock for the 20 trading days prior to the end of the Performance Period on which shares of such company's common stock were traded, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable.
“Dividends” shall mean the sum of (a) all dividends paid with respect to one share of the respective company's common stock during the Performance Period, as reported in the company's public filings with the SEC, and (b) the yield on such dividends, assuming reinvestment of each dividend in the company's common stock on the applicable ex-dividend date, using the closing price of a share of the company's common stock on such ex-dividend date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable.
“TSR Modifier Group” shall include the following selected retail companies:
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) |
Dillard’s (DDS) |
Macy’s (M) |
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) |
Designer Brands (DBI) |
Nordstrom (JWN) |
Best Buy (BBY) |
Dollar Tree (DLTR) |
PVH Corp (PVH) |
Burlington Stores (BURL) |
Express (EXPR) |
Ross Stores (ROST) |
Carter’s (CRI) |
Foot Locker (FL) |
Target (TGT) |
Children’s Place (PLCE) |
Gap (GPS) |
TJX Companies (TJX) |
Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) |
Home Depot (HD) |
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) |
The selected companies in the TSR Modifier Group above shall be adjusted in the following events:
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“Relative TSR” shall mean Kohl’s TSR compared to the total shareholder returns of the selected companies used in the TSR Modifier Group. Relative TSR will be determined by ranking the company and the selected companies from highest to lowest according to their respective TSRs. After this ranking, the percentile performance of the Company relative to the selected companies will be determined as follows:
P = 1 – [(R - 1) / (N – 1)]
Where: “P” represents the percentile performance which will be rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest whole percentile.
“N” represents the remaining number of selected companies, plus the Company.
“R” represents Company’s ranking among the selected companies.
Example: If there are 20 remaining companies, and the Company is ranked 10th, the performance would be at the 53rd percentile: .53= 1 – ((10 - 1)/(20 – 1)).
“Performance Index Group” shall mean the following companies, each of whose performance shall be weighted in calculating the Performance Index for sales and net income according to the percentage below:
Macy’s, (M) |
20% |
Gap. (GPS) |
15% |
Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) |
10% |
Nordstrom (JWN) |
15% |
Ross Stores (ROST) |
10% |
TJX Companies (TJX) |
10% |
Foot Locker (FL) |
10% |
Ulta (ULTA) |
10% |
To the extent that either (a) any of the member companies of the Performance Index Group do not publicly report financial metrics for the Performance Period, or (b) any of the member companies of the Performance Index Group merges or combines with any other person or entity with revenues in excess of 10% of such member company’s revenues, then such member company shall be removed from the Performance Index Group and the weighting of the performance of the remaining companies in the Performance Index Group shall be adjusted proportionately in order to calculate the Performance Index.
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Exhibit 10.3
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Executive |
Grant Date |
Number of Restricted Stock Units |
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|
|
THOMAS KINGSBURY |
03/25/2024 |
120,279 |
RECITALS:
The Company and Executive have previously entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) setting forth some of the terms of Executive’s employment and post-employment relationships with Company.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) has determined to award to the Executive Restricted Stock Units, subject to the restrictions contained herein, pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). All terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, including the mutual promises set forth in this agreement and the benefits that the Company expects to derive in connection with the services to be hereafter rendered to it or its subsidiaries by the Executive, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Defined Terms
1.1 Cause. Cause shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
1.2 Disability. Disability shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event this Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, no event or set of circumstances will constitute a “Disability” for purposes of this Award unless the Executive is also “disabled” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(4).
1.3 Good Reason. Good Reason shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
1.4 Payment Date. The Payment Date with respect to Restricted Stock Units shall be the earliest of (i) the applicable Anniversary Date on which such Restricted Stock Units become vested in accordance with this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, (ii) Executive’s death, (iii) Executive’s Disability, or (iv) the date of Executive’s termination of employment if and only if such termination accelerates vesting of the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2.2(c) below.
1.5 Restricted Stock Unit. Restricted Stock Unit shall mean a nonvoting unit of measurement which is deemed for bookkeeping purposes to be the equivalent to one outstanding share of Common Stock (a “Share”) solely for purposes of the Plan and this Agreement. The Restricted Stock Units shall be used solely as a device for the determination of the payment to be made to Executive if such Restricted Stock Units become vested and payable pursuant to Article II below. The Restricted Stock Units shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind. Each Restricted Stock Unit granted hereunder is intended to qualify as a Stock Award expressed in terms of Common Stock, as authorized under Section 10 of the Plan.
ARTICLE II
Restricted Stock Units
2.1 Award of Restricted Stock Unit. The Company hereby awards to the Executive the number of Restricted Stock Units listed above under the heading “Number of Restricted Stock Units,” subject to the restrictions contained herein and the provisions of the Plan.
2.2 Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Units shall vest in accordance with the following schedule:
Anniversary Date |
Shares Vesting |
03/25/2025 |
100.00% |
(a) Termination By Company for Cause or By Executive Other Than for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with the Employment Agreement by the Company for Cause at any time or by Executive other than for Good Reason, the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units shall, on the date of such termination, cease and any unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited by Executive and revert to the Company.
(b) Executive’s Death or Disability. In the event of Executive’s death or Disability while employed by the Company, the Restricted Stock Units shall, upon such death or Disability, vest immediately.
(c) Termination By Executive for Good Reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated in accordance with the Employment Agreement by the Executive for Good Reason, subject to Section 2.4 below, any unvested Restricted Stock Units shall, upon such termination, vest immediately.
(d) Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, any outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Paragraph 19 of the Plan, as modified by Section 2.2(c) of this Agreement to the extent applicable.
2.3 Prohibition Against Transfer. The Restricted Stock Units may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) by Executive, or be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any transfer in violation of this Section 2.3 shall be void and of no further effect.
2.4 Release. As a condition to the accelerated vesting of certain Restricted Stock Units in Section 2.2(c) above, in the event of Executive’s termination of employment by Executive for Good Reason in accordance with the Employment Agreement, Executive (i) shall be required to execute a written release agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company containing, among other items, a general release of claims against the Company, and (ii) must not exercise any right to revoke such release agreement during any applicable rescission period ((i) and (ii), the “Release Conditions).” If Executive fails to satisfy the Release Conditions within sixty (60) days of the Executive’s termination of employment, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited.
2.5 Share Delivery. On the Payment Date, or within sixty (60) days following the Payment Date for any Payment Date that is not the applicable Anniversary Date, the Company shall deliver to Executive a
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number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such shares or by entering such shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to this Award that have become vested pursuant to Section 2.2 above.
ARTICLE III
Miscellaneous
3.1 Provisions of the Plan Control. This Agreement shall be governed by the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Plan empowers the Committee to make interpretations, rules and regulations thereunder, and, in general, provides that determinations of such Committee with respect to the Plan shall be binding upon the Executive. A copy of the Plan will be delivered to the Executive upon reasonable request.
3.2 No Rights as Shareholder. Executive shall not have any right to exercise the rights or privileges of a shareholder with respect to any Restricted Stock Units or Shares distributable with respect to any Restricted Stock Units until such Shares are distributed.
3.3 Dividend Equivalents. On the Payment Date, in addition to the Shares deliverable under Section 2.5 above, the Company shall issue the Executive or Executive’s beneficiary that number of Shares equal to the “Dividend Equivalent Amount.” The Dividend Equivalent Amount shall be calculated as of the Payment Date, pursuant to this Section 3.4. In calculating the Dividend Equivalent Amount, the Company shall determine the number of Shares that would have been payable to the Executive if the total number of Restricted Stock Units vested under Section 2.2 had been outstanding as Shares from the Grant Date until the Payment Date and in lieu of any regular cash dividends, on the declared payment date of each regular cash dividend otherwise payable on such Shares (“Dividend Date”), the Company had issued Executive a number of additional Shares with a “Dividend Date Market Value” equal to: (i) the per-share dollar amount of the declared dividend multiplied by (ii) the number of Restricted Stock Units vested under Section 2.2 above plus the number of Shares deemed issued hereunder as dividend equivalents as of the declared record date for the dividend. For purposes of calculating the “Dividend Date Market Value” in the preceding sentence, the Company shall use the closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the Dividend Date. Shares issued hereunder shall be issued in fractional shares.
3.4 Taxes. The Company may require payment of or withhold any income or employment tax from any amount payable under this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or from any other compensation payable to Executive as is required under law with respect to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including, as necessary, the right to withhold from other wages payable to Executive to satisfy the Company’s Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) tax withholding obligation in the taxable year that any portion of this Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as such term is defined under the FICA regulations, and the Company may defer making delivery with respect to Shares until arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made with regard to any such withholding obligation. In accordance with the Plan, the Company may withhold shares of Common Stock to satisfy such withholding obligations.
3.5 Section 409A. To the extent this Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A, this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be interpreted and administered in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any guidance promulgated thereunder, including the final regulations.
3.6 No Employment Rights. The award of the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to this Agreement shall not give the Executive any right to remain employed by the Company or any affiliate thereof.
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3.7 Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing to the Company in care of its Chief Legal Officer at Kohl’s, Inc., N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 53051. Any notice to be given to the Executive may be addressed to him/her at the address as it appears on the payroll records of the Company or any subsidiary thereof. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been duly given if and when actually received by the party to whom it is addressed, as evidenced by a written receipt to that effect.
3.8 Governing Law. This Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and all questions arising hereunder or in connection herewith shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.
3.9 Suspension or Termination of Award; Clawback. Executive acknowledges that this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement is subject to Section 23 of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the forfeiture of the Award in the event that Executive makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company trade secret or confidential information or breaches any non-competition agreement.
3.10 Award Acceptance. This Award shall not be effective unless the Executive electronically consents to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement via an online platform, access to which will be provided by the Company, indicating the Executive’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. By electronically consenting to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement via the online platform, the Executive acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan.
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Thomas A. Kingsbury, certify that:
Dated: June 6, 2024 |
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/s/ Thomas A. Kingsbury |
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Thomas A. Kingsbury |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Jill Timm, certify that:
Dated: June 6, 2024 |
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/s/ Jill Timm |
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Jill Timm |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT
BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Thomas A. Kingsbury, Chief Executive Officer of Kohl's Corporation (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to the undersigned's knowledge, on the date of this Certification:
Dated: June 6, 2024 |
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/s/ Thomas A. Kingsbury |
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Thomas A. Kingsbury |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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(Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT
BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Jill Timm, Chief Financial Officer of Kohl's Corporation (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that, to the undersigned's knowledge, on the date of this Certification:
Dated: June 6, 2024 |
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/s/ Jill Timm |
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Jill Timm |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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(Principal Financial Officer) |