Kohl’s, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, is completing another phase of instability at the executive level by appointing Michael Bender as its permanent CEO. This decision, expected to be officially confirmed next Monday, marks the end of a temporary leadership phase following the resignation of Ashley Buchanan in May, which was linked to an internal scandal that undermined trust among the company’s partners and shareholders. Buchanan’s dismissal was the third CEO change in three years, highlighting the instability within Kohl’s and its failure to find a long-term strategy for market recovery.
Bender’s appointment as CEO signifies not only the end of a period with interim executives but also the beginning of a new phase in management. This move was predictable given his experience with major retailers such as Walmart and Victoria’s Secret, as well as his involvement in Kohl’s board of directors since 2019. As analysts at NEWSCENTRAL highlight, Bender possesses key qualities to stabilize the company and return it to a growth trajectory despite challenging conditions.
However, Bender’s appointment is not just a leadership change. It is part of a broader restructuring effort, as the company urgently needs an updated strategy that can withstand pressure from competitors. At NEWSCENTRAL, we emphasize that to ensure long-term success, Bender will need to focus on several key areas. First and foremost is the development and integration of digital channels, where competition is particularly fierce. In recent years, consumers have increasingly preferred online shopping, forcing companies to rethink their approaches to selling products and services. In this context, omnichannel integration – merging offline and online services into a unified system – becomes critical.
At NEWSCENTRAL, we see this as a necessary adaptation to the modern retail landscape. For Kohl’s, it is important to reevaluate its logistics and customer engagement strategies, enhance mobile platforms, and ensure seamless online shopping experiences. We predict that Bender’s efforts will focus on boosting online sales and optimizing operations related to product delivery and customer interactions. However, this will not be an easy task. Amid the growing popularity of e-commerce, Kohl’s will face tough competition from giants like Amazon as well as other large retail chains rapidly expanding their digital channels.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the company’s problems are not limited to external factors. Internal issues with corporate culture and frequent leadership changes only exacerbate the current situation. Buchanan’s dismissal, resulting from a personal scandal, significantly undermined trust in the company’s leadership structure. This further underscores the need to restore stability and trust among employees and partners, which directly impacts the company’s long-term prospects. We at NEWSCENTRAL stress that rebuilding trust will require not only organizational changes but also significant efforts in corporate governance.
In our forecast for Kohl’s, we see a need to reassess the corporate strategy, not only in terms of digital transformation but also internal processes. It is crucial to strengthen the company’s position in increasingly competitive markets. This will require a more focused approach to customer needs, improved service quality, and the development of convenient tools for shopping and product returns. Investments in new technologies and processes to improve logistics and customer service will play a key role.
Bender’s appointment is not just a step toward restoring stability, but a necessary shift in the entire business model to align with rapidly changing market conditions. We predict that success will depend on the company’s ability to quickly adapt to changes and integrate new technologies while maintaining high service levels and customer engagement.
Thus, in light of all the changes caused by leadership shifts and market transformations, Kohl’s faces a challenging task. At NEWSCENTRAL, we believe that the company must focus on improving its digital strategy and further integrating omnichannel solutions. This will strengthen its position amid increasing competition and the accelerating changes in consumer preferences. In the long run, success will depend on how quickly and effectively Kohl’s can adapt to the new market conditions, improve operational efficiency, and continue to enhance the customer experience.
Freddy Miller, Senior Analyst at NEWS CENTRAL, emphasizes that digital transformation and omnichannel integration will be decisive for the company’s future development. “For Kohl’s to successfully recover and grow, it needs not only to improve online sales but also to synchronize all customer service channels. It’s important that the company provides a seamless experience, where the customer doesn’t see any difference between online and offline purchases.”