Kohl's Announces Surprise 70%-Off Holiday Mega Sale—These Doorbusters Are Going Fast

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is heading into the pivotal holiday stretch with fresh momentum after raising its full-year profit outlook for the second time in 2025, unveiling a permanent chief executive, and confirming earlier-than-ever Black Friday store hours. Shares of the department-store chain soared as much as 36 percent after management projected adjusted earnings of $1.25–$1.45 a share and trimmed its expected sales decline to 3.5–4 percent, helped by a surprise third-quarter profit of 10 cents per share and a gross margin uptick to 39.6 percent. CEO MICHAEL BENDER TAKES THE REINS Just days before the earnings beat, Kohl’s board unanimously elevated Michael J. Bender from interim to permanent chief executive. Bender, a veteran of Walmart and Eyemart Express, has pledged to “re-establish our leadership position by putting customers first every day” while accelerating cost cuts, inventory discipline, and an owned-brands refresh aimed at value-focused shoppers. HOLIDAY PLAYBOOK: COUPON VALUE + SEPHORA EXPANSION • More coupon-eligible national labels and newly elevated private lines are hitting the sales floor as the chain courts budget-conscious families. • Sephora at Kohl’s, now in more than 900 locations, is adding buzzworthy names such as Rare Beauty and Kerastase to lure younger, beauty-savvy consumers. • Revived fine-jewelry and accessories assortments are targeted at legacy loyalists looking for gifting classics. BLACK FRIDAY 2025: EARLY DOORS, LAST-MINUTE DEALS In line with rivals, Kohl’s will stay closed on Thanksgiving but fling its doors open at 5 a.m. local time on Friday, November 28, and remain open until 11:59 p.m., positioning itself for both dawn-patrol deal hunters and late-night procrastinators. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR SHOPPERS AND INVESTORS 1. Stock Rebound Story: Kohl’s shares have more than doubled since Bender stepped in this spring, outperforming many mall peers as Wall Street bets on a turnaround. 2. Cost-Cut Cushion: Aggressive inventory rightsizing and selective store closures have protected margins, giving the retailer room to promote without eroding profits. 3. Shopper Sentiment Test: With economists warning of a muted holiday, Kohl’s updated guidance suggests management sees traction in driving traffic and ticket. BOTTOM LINE A leaner balance sheet, clearer brand proposition, and decisive leadership shift have set the stage for Kohl’s most important holiday season in years. If the retailer converts higher foot traffic into sustained comps—and keeps profit flowing—its 2025 comeback narrative could carry well into the new year, reinforcing Kohl’s relevance both on Main Street and on Wall Street.