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It's easy to gloss over Kohl's fiscal first-quarter (ended May 2) results due to COVID-19, which forced the company, like many other retailers, to close its stores in mid-March. Predictably, this hurt the company's revenue, which fell from last year's $4.1 billion to $2.4 billion. It swung to a $652 million adjusted operating loss from an adjusted operating income of $118 million.
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| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSS | KOHL'S CORP. | 22.40 | -0.37 | -1.62% |
Certainly, if Kohl's had been heading into the pandemic from a position of strength, that would assuage my concerns. But last year, its same-store sales (comps) dropped 1.5% and its adjusted operating income fell by 17% to $1.2 billion.
While management is trying out moves to bolster traffic to Kohl's stores, the effects are not yet apparent in the company's sales and profitability.
A car drives by the entrance of a Kohl's department store in Orlando, Fla. Kohl's Corp. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Linking with Amazon
Kohl's headline-grabbing deal was the one it inked with Amazon.com in April 2019. This allowed the e-commerce giant's customers to return merchandise to a Kohl's store without having to worry about packing up the goods or even putting on a label. Management hoped that providing this convenience would draw people into the stores to shop.
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| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMZN | AMAZON.COM INC. | 2,978.21 | -21.69 | -0.72% |
Of course, with physical stores closed, Kohl's couldn't accept returns for about half of the first quarter. But looking further back, its third-quarter comps rose just 0.4% and its fourth-quarter comps were flat
On the fourth-quarter earnings call, management said the program helped boost traffic during the end-of-year holidays, but this hasn't yet resulted in strong comps.
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Kohl's isn't the only retailer accepting Amazon returns, either. Stein Mart announced last year that it would install lockers where people can return their merchandise as well as pick up their orders. Other places of business also provide lockers. True, Kohl's service is more convenient because customers just bring their returns to the store and Kohl's does all of the work. However, there are other options being provided for consumers.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMRT | STEIN MART | 0.35 | -0.01 | -2.48% |
The coronavirus pandemic makes it challenging for investors to judge Kohl's first-quarter results. But looking back at last year, selling, general, and administrative expenses rose about 2% to $5.7 billion, which was partly due to the Amazon Returns program and higher store wages. Higher distribution costs and increased marketing spending were also factors.
Berlin, Germany - March 20: A man is holding an Amazon Prime package on March 20, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
It is hasty to call the program a failure, but it is fair to say that it hasn't provided a significant boost to sales and profitability.
Other partnerships
In fairness to management, it is pushing other ideas. New partnerships being tested include a deal with Planet Fitness whereby Kohl's will lease out space next to stores. When people can shop freely, will this mean they will stop in after a workout? Perhaps, but the company is facing strong competition that is set to intensify in a tough economy.
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This includes discount operators Ross Stores and TJX Companies, which have compelling offerings, particularly in an economic downturn when they can typically buy more closeout merchandise.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROST | ROSS STORES INC. | 85.31 | +0.75 | +0.89% |
| TJX | TJX | 53.13 | -0.38 | -0.71% |
Kohl's management deserves credit for trying new things, but the payoff right now is unclear. Given the current economic conditions, Kohl's customers are facing challenges. Under these circumstances, they may very well find lower-priced alternatives. Hence, even with the share price at less than half of February's level, this is one I would pass up.
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