Kohl’s(KSS) - 2026 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales declined by 2.8% in Q3 and 4% year-to-date, with comparable sales down 1.7% in Q3 and 3.2% year-to-date [29][30] - Adjusted net income for Q3 was $11 million, equating to an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.10, while year-to-date adjusted net income is $61 million with an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.54 [32][33] - Gross margin improved to 39.6%, an increase of 51 basis points year-over-year, driven by strong inventory management and product mix benefits [31][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital sales grew by 2.4% versus last year, outperforming store sales, with traffic increasing from high single digits in August to high teens in October [30] - Women's business showed significant improvement, particularly in proprietary brands, while men's business also saw positive performance driven by clarity in offerings [12][13] - Accessories, including Sephora and jewelry, contributed positively, with Sephora running up 2% and jewelry increasing by 10% in Q3 [14][15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that low-to-middle-income consumers are increasingly choiceful due to pressure on discretionary income, impacting overall sales performance [10][36] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, particularly affecting younger customers and those with limited income [10][36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key priorities for its 2025 initiatives: offering a curated assortment, reestablishing Kohl's as a leader in value and quality, and delivering a frictionless shopping experience [10][11][21] - There is a commitment to enhancing proprietary brands and optimizing store layouts to improve customer experience and drive sales [19][22] - The company is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the upcoming holiday season, highlighting improved inventory positioning and exclusive offerings [25][26] - The company anticipates a net sales decline of 3.5%-4% for the full year, with a focus on maintaining cost discipline and improving cash flow [36][37] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with $144 million in cash and cash equivalents, with inventory decreasing approximately 5% compared to last year [33][34] - Capital expenditures are projected to be around $400 million for the year, primarily for the completion of Sephora rollouts and other strategic initiatives [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company connecting with former and lapsed customers? - The company has been using data to target core customers with personalized marketing and has seen a 500 basis point improvement in Kohl's Card customer engagement [38][39] Question: Can you break down the $1.3 billion of operating cash flow? - The majority of cash flow is attributed to strong inventory management, with a focus on maintaining low inventory levels [41][42] Question: Which strategic initiatives are showing the most promise? - The focus on building a more balanced assortment and enhancing proprietary brands has been particularly effective [46][47] Question: What is the outlook for gross margin in Q4? - The company expects continued benefits from inventory management and proprietary brand performance, but anticipates some headwinds due to increased digital sales and promotional activities [54][56] Question: What is the current debt position and outlook? - The company has approximately $1.5 billion in debt, with plans to exit the revolver by the end of the year, positioning itself well for future liquidity [58][59]