I’m sure we all have Kohls stories…some good and not so good. Thought a separate thread might be a good idea. I’ll start.
When Kohls first opened, it was a great and better alternative to JC Penney stores. My family far away could send kids clothing gifts, and we could easily return them here (although initially, the nearest kohls was about an hour away…now there is one 15 minutes away.
We got clothes for our kids, linens, holiday decorations, etc there. And we routinely got those 30% off coupons. Their sales, particularly on baby clothes were very good.
BUT, I haven’t bought anything there in years. Last time I was there, I was with a friend. I had a $50 gift card and a 30% off coupon. I walked around and around hoping to find something. I finally gave it all to my friend who needed some new underwear and had some in her cart.
I went there about a year ago because they used to have some nice baby and toddler toys. That section is completely gone now.
The shopping experience at Kohl’s has deteriorated since the deal to sell the retail chain fell through as reported by CBS on July 1, 2022:
The proposed sale/purchase of Kohl’s retail store chain fell through, resulting in changed relationships with several of its suppliers which further lessened the retail shopping experience.
I used to buy more there, but still good for things like t-shirts that are inexpensive and don’t need to last for more than a season or two. I also got a gym/travel bag of just the right size with a sleeve to stick over a suitcase handle which is very handy. I don’t shop there as much as I used to.
I don’t ever buy clothes at Kohls, with the exception of socks and underwear for my kids. Years ago I bought clothes from them and was unhappy with them, so I never went back. Too many other options out there that offer much better quality. On occasion I’ll buy household or kitchen items there. But lately my only reason to go there is to buy items from the embedded Sephora store. Great move for Sephora to get themselves added to Kohls stores! Much more convenient than the other local store, and I can avoid shipping costs.
Agree with others, it used to be a go to shop for me. Got lots of clothing for all family members and household items there over the years. Now, I walk through and see nothing worth buying. In addition, last few trips (over the past 6 months) the store looked understocked and clothes were all out of season (winter clothes still deep into spring).
I really liked shopping online and being able to very easily return in store. Also, used their instore amazon return feature (which I hear is going away).
My experience is the same - used to shop there, especially for baby and kid clothes, but the quality and selection took a big nose dive. I’m frankly surprised they are still in business.
I still like Kohls - i have one nearby. I shop there for underwear, socks and bras. I have found a few summer basics in the past couple years (tops, dresses). Sometimes I will find things in housewares or linens. In all honesty, I don’t really need a lot of stuff anymore, so I’m just not looking as much as I once was.
We have given up on Kohls. As a family of 4 we shopped there for years using the coupons. Now the coupons have too many limitations on them that it isn’t worth the hassle.
I just saw this yesterday (from a different source). They are bringing back the coupons and having less exclusions on them.
I shopped there a lot while raising kids - I always got really great prices on Nike basketball shorts and Speedo swim trunks for them. I haven’t shopped there in years, but then I had my first grandchild and was boycotting Target. I found Kohl’s has a pretty great baby clothes selection, especially if you like Carter’s.
I can remember when our first one opened - it was in the fall before the holidays and I remember having one of those black cloth carts FILLED with stuff to buy and all of it was 50% or more off. I felt like it was amazing.
Yes they had a lot of Carter brand clothing for kids.
It was also a great spot for dorm linens and decor. Lamps, trash cans etc. we bought a lot of that stuff there for college kid 1 and 2.
I don’t shop there anymore - I did do a couple Amazon returns there in the last year or so and did use the coupons they gave me ona couple of basic cardigans which I actually wear often. But only because the coupons made them like 75-%off!
My husband hates shopping and while he doesn’t shop at Kohls for himself he DOES go there for his side hustle, an eBay shop. He scours their clearance shoes in particular and uses all the layering coupons to buy shoes (often Nike) dirt cheap and then resells them on eBay.
He was going this week and said it was the last day of an extra 50% off clearance - I said isn’t that the whole store? Seems that there are SO many clearance racks when I’ve been there the last year or two
I used to shop at Kohl’s a lot. I don’t shop there much anymore. Their petite section has gotten a lot smaller. Their prices are very high unless the item is on sale and has a 30% off coupon. The coupons don’t work on most of the items I want. Ours has very little on clearance racks anymore.
I think that’s why they are now doing Amazon returns (and that other company that handles returns for a lot of online stores). Although it used to be a preferred store for me, it’s no longer a place I head to if I need to shop. But of course, when I have to make the trip to return something and they hand me a coupon, I take a look around.
I don’t have to dress up for work, in fact, I “dress down”. I’m not easy to fit (short and plump) so I sometimes luck out and find something cheap that fits me pretty well. They do carry a few brands that offer “short” sizes, which I appreciate.
I haven’t been in a store in ages but I found great deals on line for the Disney princess nightgowns my granddaughter loves. $14 instead of $39 or so. Verified on Disney as the price. Same gown.
I haven’t been in a Kohls store for years, but I buy online several times per year. Most of my casual work wardrobe is from there. (Lots of button-up short- and three-quarter-sleeve shirts.) I wait for sales, and I’m happy with the price/quality balance. But I acknowledge that I don’t care about being in style, etc. I go for practical and comfortable.
I’m in Kohl’s regularly to make Amazon returns for FriendlyWife (who tends to buy from Amazon in multiple sizes and return the ones that don’t work). I too have wondered how the stores stay open - there are very few in-store shoppers, regardless of day and time. In fact, on a few weekday afternoons, I’m pretty sure that I have been the only non-employee in the entire store.