"The retailer reported on Wednesday Q2 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.56, beating the $0.30 estimate, driven by cost controls and margin improvements, and sending shares up over 20% despite a 5.1% drop in net sales. Proprietary brands and the Sephora partnership showed positive growth. Following years of weak sales, the better-than-expected earnings follow a tumultuous period, my Fortune colleague Sydney Lake writes."
"CEO Ashley Buchanan was fired in May-just over 100 days into the role-after an investigation found he directed the company to do business with a vendor who was his romantic partner, under highly unusual terms favorable to the vendor. Timm has been with Kohl's since 1999 and became finance chief in 2019, having previously held various finance leadership roles, including VP of financial planning and analysis and EVP of finance."
Kohl's reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $0.56, well above the $0.30 estimate, driven by cost controls and margin improvements. Shares rose over 20% despite a 5.1% decline in net sales, with proprietary brands and the Sephora partnership contributing positive growth. The company faces leadership instability after CEO Ashley Buchanan was fired following an investigation into preferential vendor dealings, and former board chair Michael Bender is serving as interim CEO. Jill Timm, finance chief since 2019 and a Kohl's employee since 1999, is a steady presence. Analysts emphasize the need for a CEO with long-term retail and apparel strategy and better real estate planning.
Read at Fortune
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