Kohl’s cuts guidance, blaming inflation for softer sales from middle-income shoppers

Kohl’s on Thursday again slashed its financial forecast for the year, saying that its middle-income customers have been particularly pressured by higher inflation, putting a damper on sales.

The retailer said that shoppers are making fewer trips to stores, spending less money per transaction and opting more for Kohl’s less-expensive private brands.

Chief Executive Officer Michelle Gass said in a statement that the company is adjusting its business plans and taking actions to reduce inventory and trim expenses “to account for a softer demand outlook.”

Shares of Kohl’s fell in premarket trading, even after Kohl’s beat analysts’ lowered expectations for its fiscal second-quarter profit and revenue, as investors were more focused on future guidance.

Kohl’s now sees its net sales in fiscal 2022 down 5% to 6%, compared with a prior range of flat to up 1% from year-ago levels.

It also now expects adjusted earnings per share to be between $2.80 and $3.20, compared with earlier guidance of $6.45 to $6.85.

The news from Kohl’s comes the same week that Walmart and Target both reiterated their full-year forecasts even as their profits come under pressure.

Walmart said it saw more higher- and middle-income consumers visiting its shops in searched of discounted items, helping its overall performance. Target’s earnings, however, were weighed down by its efforts to clear through excess merchandise at steep markdowns before the holiday season.

Kohl’s inventory levels in the latest quarter ballooned 48% compared with a year earlier due to lower sales. The company also said this increase stemmed from its recent investments in beauty for its Sephora partnership and its strategy to pack and hold more goods.

Here’s how Kohl’s did in its fiscal second quarter ended July 30 compared with what analysts were anticipating, based on Refinitiv estimates:

• Earnings per share: $1.11 adjusted vs. $1.03 expected
• Revenue: $4.09 billion vs. $3.85 billion expected

Kohl’s net income for the three-month period ended July 30 plummeted to $143 million, or $1.11 per share, from $382 million, or $2.48 a share, a year earlier.

Sales fell 8.5% to $4.09 billion from $4.45 billion a year earlier.

Same-store sales, which track revenue at Kohl’s stores open for at least 12 months, dropped 7.7%.

“While 2022 has turned out to be more challenging than initially expected, Kohl’s remains a financially strong company,” said Gass.

The company said Thursday that it has entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement to buy back about $500 million of its common stock.

Kohl’s also said it stands by its previously announced quarterly cash dividend of 50 cents a share, payable to shareholders Sept. 21.

Kohl’s shares have fallen about 31% so far this year, as of Wednesday’s market close.

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