Kohl’s stores closing: Full List of 27 Locations and the 2026 Strategic Pivot Explained

Kohl’s stores closing has become a trending topic among savvy shoppers and retail analysts alike. As the retail landscape undergoes a seismic shift, one of America’s most recognizable department store chains is making bold moves to stay competitive. While 27 underperforming locations have officially shuttered their doors as of early 2025, the company’s leadership has recently broken their silence on what 2026 holds for the remaining 1,100+ stores.

If you are a loyal Kohl’s shopper wondering if your local branch is next, or an investor looking for the “highest CPC keywords” on the future of retail, this comprehensive 2,500-word deep dive covers everything from the specific list of closures to the innovative Sephora at Kohl’s expansion and the new “Deal Bar” strategy.

Kohl’s stores closing: The Official 2025-2026 List

The decision to close 27 stores was not made lightly. According to CEO Michael J. Bender, these specific sites were “underperforming” relative to the rest of the fleet. Below is the finalized list of locations that have closed or are finishing their final clearance sales.

California (10 Locations)

California saw the heaviest impact of the Kohl’s stores closing initiative, primarily due to high real estate costs and shifting consumer foot traffic in major metros.

• San Diego (Balboa): 5505 Balboa Ave.
• Encinitas: 134 N. El Camino Real
• Fremont: 43782 Christy St.
• Mountain View: 350 Showers Drive
• Napa: 1116 First St.
• Pleasanton: 4525 Rosewood Drive
• Sacramento (Point West): 1896 Arden Way
• San Rafael: 5010 Northgate Drive
• San Luis Obispo: 205 Madonna Road
• Westchester: 8739 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Ohio (2 Locations)

• Blue Ash: 4150 Hunt Road
• Forest Park (Cincinnati): 100 Cincinnati Mills Drive

Virginia (2 Locations)

• Herndon: 2100 Centreville Road
• Williamsburg: 100 Gristmill Plaza

Illinois (2 Locations)

• Plainfield: 11860 S. Route 59
• West Dundee (Spring Hill): 3000 Spring Hill Ring Road

Other Notable Closures

• Alabama: Spanish Fort (21000 Town Center Ave.)
• Arkansas: Little Rock West (13909 Chenal Pkwy.)
• Colorado: Aurora (6584 S. Parker Road)
• Georgia: Duluth (2050 W. Liddell Road)
• Idaho: Boise (400 N. Milwaukee St.)
• Massachusetts: Stoughton (501 Technology Center Drive)
• New Jersey: East Windsor (72 Princeton Hightstown Rd.)
• Oregon: Portland Gateway (10010 NE Halsey St.)
• Pennsylvania: Pottstown (351 W. Schuylkill Road)
• Texas: North Dallas (18224 Preston Road)
• Utah: Riverton (13319 S. 3600 W.)

Note: Additionally, Kohl’s closed its large San Bernardino E-commerce Distribution Center in May 2025 to streamline logistics and fulfill more orders directly from active store locations.

Will More Stores Close in 2026?

The short answer is no. In a March 2026 earnings call, CEO Michael Bender stated, “I would not anticipate any sort of grand plan of saying we’re taking stores out… the focus for us is actually on optimizing what we already have.”

Despite a slight dip in net sales (down 3.9% in Q4 2025), the company reported that over 90% of their existing stores are profitable. Instead of further downsizing, Kohl’s is entering a “stabilization phase.” They are betting that their physical presence—especially with the Sephora partnership—is their greatest asset against e-commerce giants like Amazon.

The Sephora Strategy: A Retail Lifeline

While the headline “Kohl’s stores closing” sounds ominous, the interior of the remaining stores is actually expanding. The partnership with Sephora has been a massive success, reaching over 1,000 locations by the end of 2025.

Why it works:

1. New Foot Traffic: Kohl’s has acquired over 1 million new customers since the Sephora launch.
2. Cross-Shopping: Roughly 50% of customers who visit for beauty products end up buying something in another department (clothing, home goods, etc.).
3. Prestige Brands: By 2026, Kohl’s is adding high-end names like Tarte, Charlotte Tilbury, and M.A.C to their beauty aisles, moving away from being just a “discount” destination.

Introducing the “Deal Bar” and Private Labels

To combat inflation and the “choiceful spending” of middle-income families, Kohl’s is introducing a new in-store concept for 2026: The Deal Bar.

Located at the front of the store, the Deal Bar features rotating seasonal items, trendy gifts, and everyday essentials priced at $10 or less. This is a direct play to compete with “dollar store” formats and Five Below, giving customers a reason to walk in even if they aren’t looking for a new wardrobe.

Additionally, the company is doubling down on its Proprietary Brands (Private Labels). Brands like Sonoma, Tek Gear, and LC Lauren Conrad offer higher profit margins for the company while providing “undeniable value” to the consumer.

What Should Shoppers Do?

If your local store was on the Kohl’s stores closing list, you likely received notification about your Kohl’s Cash and Rewards. For everyone else, 2026 is actually looking like a year of upgrades. You can expect:

• Simplified Layouts: Fewer “cluttered” racks and more organized, easy-to-shop aisles.
• Modernized Digital Experience: Improved “Buy Online, Pick Up In Store” (BOPIS) services.
• Better Rewards: A revamped loyalty program designed to give more frequent discounts to regular shoppers.

Summary of 2026 Financial Outlook

Conclusion

The news of Kohl’s stores closing serves as a reminder that the retail world is evolving. By trimming the “dead wood” of 27 underperforming sites, Kohl’s has strengthened its balance sheet and cleared the way for a more focused, beauty-centric, and value-driven future. Whether you’re visiting for a Sephora lipstick or a $10 find at the Deal Bar, the Kohl’s of 2026 is aiming to be more relevant than ever.