Overview
- Bender, a 30-year retail veteran and Kohl’s director since 2019, transitions from interim chief to permanent CEO effective Sunday.
- He will continue to serve on the board after stepping in on May 1 to replace Ashley Buchanan, who was fired following an internal ethics investigation.
- The probe found Buchanan steered business to a vendor tied to a personal relationship, prompting his removal after only a few months in the role.
- The move installs Kohl’s fourth chief executive in about four years as the chain seeks to halt a multi-year sales slide and restore momentum.
- Bender has emphasized private labels, jewelry and expanded sizing, with Q2 showing margin gains even as the company forecast a 5% to 6% decline in full-year net sales; Q3 results are due Tuesday morning.