Kohl's (KSS) 10-Q 2006 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 29, 2005

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission file number 1-11084

KOHL’S CORPORATION

(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)

WISCONSIN	39-1630919
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin	53051
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (262) 703-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: November 29, 2005 Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share, 344,752,686 shares outstanding.

KOHL’S CORPORATION

INDEX

PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1	Financial Statements:
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 29, 2005, January 29, 2005, and October 30, 2004	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005, and October 30, 2004	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005, and October 30, 2004	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7-10
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11-22
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	23
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	24
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25
Item 6	Exhibits	25
	Signatures	26

2

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

	October 29, 2005		January 29, 2005 (restated - see Note 3)		October 30, 2004 (restated - see Note 3)
	(Unaudited)		(Audited)		(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,713	$	116,717	$	111,720
Short-term investments		—		88,767		—
Accounts receivable, net		1,492,150		1,389,632		1,284,734
Merchandise inventories		2,854,317		1,946,977		2,640,348
Deferred income taxes		16,259		54,050		40,953
Other		77,810		47,294		77,919
Total current assets		4,573,249		3,643,437		4,155,674
Property and equipment, net		4,484,018		3,987,945		3,835,287
Favorable lease rights, net		215,460		224,903		228,030
Goodwill		9,338		9,338		9,338
Other assets		122,162		113,676		106,774
Total assets	$	9,404,227	$	7,979,299	$	8,335,103
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,330,384	$	704,655	$	1,346,486
Accrued liabilities		577,296		570,757		447,425
Income taxes payable		52,584		177,182		9,811
Short-term debt		331,500		—		354,000
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases		105,875		3,464		3,380
Total current liabilities		2,397,639		1,456,058		2,161,102
Long-term debt and capital leases		1,040,232		1,103,441		1,104,283
Deferred income taxes		223,325		229,381		222,382
Other long-term liabilities		179,765		156,521		150,293
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock		3,445		3,433		3,430
Paid-in capital		1,563,881		1,501,572		1,483,546
Retained earnings		3,995,940		3,528,893		3,210,067
Total shareholders’ equity		5,563,266		5,033,898		4,697,043
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	9,404,227	$	7,979,299	$	8,335,103

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except per Share Data)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 29, 2005		October 30, 2004 (restated - see Note 3)		October 29, 2005		October 30, 2004 (restated - see Note 3)
Net sales	$	3,119,360	$	2,743,882	$	8,750,276	$	7,621,913
Cost of merchandise sold		1,986,766		1,758,331		5,565,897		4,878,876
Gross margin		1,132,594		985,551		3,184,379		2,743,037
Operating expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative		753,799		659,520		2,099,183		1,822,967
Depreciation and amortization		85,112		72,124		247,741		210,159
Preopening expenses		26,252		22,450		42,923		46,559
Operating income		267,431		231,457		794,532		663,352
Interest expense, net		18,031		15,071		51,497		45,058
Income before income taxes		249,400		216,386		743,035		618,294
Provision for income taxes		94,273		81,795		275,988		233,719
Net income	$	155,127	$	134,591	$	467,047	$	384,575
Net income per share:
Basic
Basic	$	0.45	$	0.39	$	1.36	$	1.13
Average number of shares		344,441		342,312		344,011		341,258
Diluted
Diluted	$	0.45	$	0.39	$	1.35	$	1.12
Average number of shares		346,778		344,896		346,628		343,738

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

4

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

	Common Stock			Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings			Total
	Shares	Amount
Balance at January 29, 2005 (previously reported)	343,345	$	3,433	$	1,258,326	$	3,704,969		$	4,966,728
Cumulative effect of restatement on prior years (see Note 3)	—		—		243,246		(176,076	)		67,170
Balance at January 29, 2005 (restated)	343,345		3,433		1,501,572		3,528,893			5,033,898
Exercise of stock options	1,244		12		19,758		—			19,770
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options	—		—		9,859		—			9,859
Share-based compensation expense	—		—		32,692		—			32,692
Net income	—		—		—		467,047			467,047
Balance at October 29, 2005	344,589	$	3,445	$	1,563,881	$	3,995,940		$	5,563,266

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

KOHL’S CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

	Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 29, 2005			October 30, 2004 (restated - see Note 3)
Operating activities
Net income	$	467,047		$	384,575
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		248,268			210,697
Amortization of debt discount		163			161
Share-based compensation		32,535			33,550
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		(9,859	)		(25,371	)
Deferred income taxes		31,735			84,372
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(102,518	)		(134,577	)
Merchandise inventories		(907,340	)		(1,033,358	)
Other current and long-term assets		(32,406	)		(7,025	)
Accounts payable		625,729			813,887
Accrued and other long-term liabilities		24,833			21,998
Income taxes		(114,739	)		(100,345	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		263,448			248,564
Investing activities
Acquisition of property and equipment and favorable lease rights		(668,433	)		(669,266	)
Net sales of short-term investments		88,765			(23,533	)
Other		(25,134	)		34,285
Net cash used in investing activities		(604,802	)		(658,514	)
Financing activities
Proceeds from short-term debt		225,000			225,000
Net borrowings under credit facilities		106,500			129,000
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		9,859			25,371
Payments of other long-term debt		(3,779	)		(12,400	)
Payments of financing fees on debt		—			(73	)
Proceeds from stock option exercises		19,770			42,024
Net cash provided by financing activities		357,350			408,922
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		15,996			(1,028	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		116,717			112,748
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	132,713		$	111,720
Supplemental information:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$	52,755		$	46,096
Income taxes paid	$	359,159		$	249,689

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

KOHL’S CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for fiscal year end financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K (Commission File No. 1-11084) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Stock Based Compensation

As of October 29, 2005, the Company has three long-term compensation plans pursuant to which stock-based compensation may be granted. The Company’s 1994 and 2003 long-term compensation plans provide for the granting of various forms of equity-based awards, including restricted stock and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, to officers and key employees. The 1997 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors provides for granting of equity-based awards to outside directors.

The following table presents the number of options and restricted stock initially authorized and available to grant under each of the plans:

	1994 Plan	1997 Plan	2003 Plan	Total
Options and restricted stock initially authorized	24,000,000	400,000	15,000,000	39,400,000
Options and restricted stock available for grant:
January 29, 2005	—	267,000	14,208,750	14,475,750
October 29, 2005	—	244,500	11,547,987	11,792,487

The majority of options granted vest in four equal annual installments. Remaining options granted vest in five to ten year increments. Outside directors’ stock options vest in three equal annual installments. The restricted stock vests in three equal annual installments. Options that are surrendered or terminated without issuance of shares are available for future grants.

On January 30, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), “Share-based Payments,” requiring the Company to recognize expense related to the fair value of its employee stock option awards. The Company adopted the “modified retrospective” method, which requires the prior period financial statements to be restated under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to recognize

7

compensation cost in the amounts previously reported in the pro forma footnote disclosures. For additional information related to the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), refer to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2005.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), total compensation cost recognized related to stock-based compensation for the quarter ended October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004 are $11.4 million and $10.2 million, respectively. Total compensation cost recognized related to stock-based compensation for the nine months ended October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004 are $32.5 million and $33.6 million, respectively. Stock compensation cost is recognized for new, modified and unvested stock option awards, measured at fair value and recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. These amounts were expensed and included in selling, general and administrative (S,G & A) expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was used to estimate the fair value of each option award based on the following assumptions:

	Fiscal Year
	2005			2004
Dividend Yield		0	%		0	%
Volatility		0.342			0.339
Risk-free interest rate		3.8	%		3.5	%
Expected life in years		6.5			6.2
Weighted average fair value at grant date	$	20.17		$	19.16

The following is a summary of the adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of these restatements.

8

	October 30, 2004
(In thousands)	As previously restated*		Share-based Compensation			As restated
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Deferred income tax liabilities	$	286,736	$	(64,354	)	$	222,382
Paid-in capital		1,249,227		234,319			1,483,546
Retained earnings		3,380,032		(169,965	)		3,210,067
	January 29, 2005
(In thousands)	As previously reported		Share-based Compensation			As restated
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Deferred income tax liabilities	$	296,551	$	(67,170	)	$	229,381
Paid-in capital		1,258,326		243,246			1,501,572
Retained earnings		3,704,969		(176,076	)		3,528,893
	Three Months Ended October 30, 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)	As previously restated*		Share-based Compensation			As restated
Selected Statement of Income Data:
Net income	$	140,933	$	(6,342	)	$	134,591
Basic net income per share		0.41		(0.02	)		0.39
Diluted net income per share		0.41		(0.02	)		0.39
	Nine Months Ended October 30, 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)	As previously restated*		Share-based Compensation			As restated
Selected Statement of Income Data:
Net income	$	405,443	$	(20,868	)	$	384,575
Basic net income per share		1.19		(0.06	)		1.13
Diluted net income per share		1.18		(0.06	)		1.12

* restated for lease accounting adjustment as discussed in the Company’s 10-K for the period ending January 29, 2005

The Company has awarded restricted shares of common stock to eligible key employees. All awards have restriction periods tied primarily to employment and/or service. The awards vest over three years. The awards are expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

3. Merchandise Inventories

The Company changed its method of accounting for inventory from the last in, first out method (LIFO) to the first in, first out method (FIFO) during the quarter ended July 30, 2005. The Company believes that adopting the FIFO method provides more transparent financial reporting and is consistent with the Company’s changing business environment with respect to the sourcing of goods and the nature of its inventory. Because the accounting change was not material to the Company’s financial statements

9

for any of the periods presented, no retroactive restatement of prior years’ financial statements was made.

4. Contingencies

The Company is involved in various legal matters arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such proceedings and litigation will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

5. Net Income Per Share

The calculations of the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted net income per share are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	October 29, 2005		October 30, 2004 (restated- see Note 3)		October 29, 2005		October 30, 2004 (restated- see Note 3)
	(In Thousands)
Numerator for basic and dilutive net income per share	$	155,127	$	134,591	$	467,047	$	384,575
Denominator for basic net income per share – weighted average shares		344,441		342,312		344,011		341,258
Impact of dilutive employee stock options and restricted stock (a)		2,337		2,584		2,617		2,480
Denominator for diluted net income per share		346,778		344,896		346,628		343,738

(a) For the three months ended October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004, 4,328,185 and 7,455,430 options, respectively, were not included in the net income per share calculation as the impact of such options was antidilutive. For the nine months ended October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004, 6,190,380 and 7,650,280 options, respectively, were not included in the net income per share calculation as the impact of such options was antidilutive.

10

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Summary

The Company continues to target mid-single digit comparable store sales increases as it focuses on attracting new customers and encouraging existing customers to shop more frequently. The Company achieved a 3.5% comparable store sales increase in the third quarter, which consisted of a 2.5% increase in transactions per store and a 1.0% increase in average transaction value.

The Company’s initiatives have been focused on appealing to customers’ different lifestyles with the introduction of new brands, differentiated marketing and a more exciting in-store experience.

The Company completed the rollout of its beauty initiative to all 732 stores in fiscal 2005. This consists of exclusive lines of makeup, skin care and skin treatment products that were developed in partnership with the Estee Lauder companies. In addition to the three initial brands, American Beauty, Flirt, and Good Skin!, a fourth brand, Grassroots, debuted in August 2005 and a fragrance, Wonderful, was launched in September 2005.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2005, Chaps and Candies were new brand introductions in all stores. In women’s sportswear, Nine & Company casual wear was launched in all stores in fall 2005 after being tested in 150 stores during the spring season. Also in fall 2005, apt. 9 was expanded into casual sportswear while Nine & Company was expanded into home.

In spring 2006, the Company will introduce Chaps for women and boys in partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tony Hawk, in partnership with Quiksilver, will be introduced in young men’s and boys. In addition, Stamp 10, an exclusive contemporary brand in partnership with Liz Claiborne, Inc., will be launched in men’s and women’s in approximately 300 stores.

The Company is focused on using the new brand launches and extension of successful, contemporary and updated brands to build awareness with its existing customers and drive more frequent trips as well as gain new customers. In order to achieve this goal, the Company has developed a fully integrated marketing approach using circulars, direct mail, radio, magazines, internet and television to brand Kohl’s. The Company invested aggressively in marketing throughout the third quarter in branding the store through various merchandise strategies. The Company believes that these investments should result in increased traffic in the stores and should benefit sales in the upcoming holiday season.

The Company continues to be committed to maintaining appropriate inventory levels and to improving inventory management strategies. The Company’s average

11

inventory per store at October 29, 2005 decreased approximately 6% from the October 30, 2004 average due to improvements in merchandise flow. The Company remains committed to being in-stock on basics and key item programs. The reduction in inventory levels will allow the Company to flow new receipts in the fourth quarter and to maximize sales as the holiday season approaches. This should also result in a better transition out of the fourth quarter. The Company expects the inventory turn to improve in the fourth quarter and for average inventory per store to reflect an increase of a low single digit percentage at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.

The fiscal 2005 year to date financial performance, with a total sales increase of 14.8% and a comparable store sales increase of 3.9%, resulting in net income growth of 21.4%, gives the Company confidence that the strategies it is employing will provide continued success in the fourth quarter.

Results of Operations

Expansion Update

At October 29, 2005, the Company operated 731 stores compared with 637 stores at the same time last year. Total square feet of selling space increased 14.8% from 49.2 million at October 30, 2004 to 56.5 million at October 29, 2005. During the third quarter, the Company opened 61 stores, including entering the Orlando, FL market with six stores and the Jacksonville, FL market with three stores. In addition the Company opened 15 stores in the Midwest region, nine stores in the Southwest region, eight stores in the Southcentral region, eight stores in the Mid-Atlantic region, seven stores in the Northeast region and five stores in the Southeast region. One planned October opening in Beaumont, TX occurred in November due to delays related to Hurricane Rita.

In total, the Company opened 95 stores in fiscal 2005 and will end the year with 732 stores in 41 states, compared to 637 stores in 40 states at the end of 2004.

The Company plans to add approximately 500 stores by the end of fiscal 2010 and is targeting opening 200 stores in the next two years. The actual number of new store openings in any given year will depend, in part, upon the availability, timing and terms of potential acquisitions of existing store locations from other retailers. The Company plans to open approximately 70-80 stores in fiscal 2006 with approximately 17 stores opening during the first quarter including its entry into the Pacific Northwest in the Portland, OR market.

12

Net Sales

Net sales increased $375.5 million, or 13.7%, to $3,119.4 million for the three months ended October 29, 2005, from $2,743.9 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. Net sales increased $283.5 million due to the opening of 94 new stores in the first nine months of 2005 and to the inclusion of 48 new stores opened in fall 2004. The remaining $92.0 million increase is attributable to an increase in comparable store sales of 3.5%. Comparable store sales growth for each period is based on sales from stores (including relocated or expanded stores) open throughout the full period and throughout the full prior fiscal year. Accessories, men’s, home and shoes exceeded the total company comparable sales increase for the quarter. All regions delivered a comparable store sales increase, with the Southwest region having the strongest performance.

Net sales increased $1,128.4 million, or 14.8%, to $8,750.3 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, from $7,621.9 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004. Net sales increased $852.3 million due to the opening of 94 new stores in 2005 and to the inclusion of 95 new stores opened in fiscal 2004. The remaining $276.1 million increase is attributable to an increase in comparable store sales of 3.9%. The accessories business led the Company for the first nine months, while the children’s business was the most difficult. All regions delivered a comparable store sales increase, with the Southwest region having the strongest performance.

Gross Margin

Gross margin increased $147.0 million to $1,132.6 million for the three months ended October 29, 2005, from $985.6 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. Gross margin increased $96.3 million due to the opening of 94 new stores in fiscal 2005 and to the inclusion of 48 new stores opened in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. Comparable store gross margin increased $50.7 million. The Company’s gross margin as a percent of net sales was 36.3% for the three months ended October 29, 2005, compared to 35.9% for the three months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 39 basis points.

Gross margin increased $441.4 million to $3,184.4 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, from $2,743.0 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004. Gross margin increased $291.5 million due to the opening of 94 new stores in fiscal 2005 and to the inclusion of 95 new stores opened in fiscal 2004. Comparable store gross margin increased $149.9 million. The Company’s gross margin as a percent of net sales was 36.4% for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, and 36.0% for the nine months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 40 basis points. The improvement in gross margin for the three and nine months ended October 29, 2005, was the result of having better merchandise content and improved inventory flow.

13

Operating Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (S,G&A) expenses include all direct store expenses such as payroll, occupancy and store supplies and all costs associated with the Company’s distribution centers, advertising and corporate functions, but exclude depreciation and amortization and preopening expenses.

S,G&A expenses increased $94.3 million, or 14.3%, to $753.8 million for the three months ended October 29, 2005, from $659.5 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. S,G&A expenses as a percent of net sales increased 13 basis points from last year and were 24.2% of net sales for the three months ended October 29, 2005. Store operating expenses increased 14.7% which is consistent with the Company’s square footage growth. Credit expenses as a percent of sales increased primarily due to bad debt expense of approximately $7.5 million related to the revised bankruptcy legislation effective October 17, 2005. SG&A expenses for the third quarter included a credit of approximately $5.0 million related to the favorable resolution of the Visa Check/MasterMoney antitrust litigation settlement. Expenses as a percent of sales related to advertising and corporate were slightly higher for the three months ended October 29, 2005. As a percent of sales, the Company leveraged distribution expenses during the third quarter.

S,G&A expenses increased $276.2 million, or 15.2%, to $2,099.2 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, from $1,823.0 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004. S,G&A expenses as a percent of net sales increased 7 basis points from last year and were 24.0% of net sales for the nine months ended October 29, 2005. The Company leveraged distribution, credit and corporate expenses for the nine months ended October 29, 2005. Store operating expenses increased 16.8% for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, primarily due to the Company’s square footage growth and partially to the rollout of the beauty initiative to all remaining stores.

Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended October 29, 2005, was $85.1 million compared to $72.1 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. Depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, was $247.7 million compared to $210.2 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004. The increase is primarily attributable to the addition of new stores and the remodeling of existing stores.

Preopening expenses are expensed as incurred and relate to the costs associated with new store openings including advertising, hiring and training costs for new employees, and processing and transporting initial merchandise. Preopening expense for the three months ended October 29, 2005, was $26.3 million compared to $22.5 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. The increase is primarily due to the expense related to opening 61 stores in the three months ended October 29, 2005, compared to 48 stores in the three months ended October 30, 2004. Preopening expense for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, was $42.9 million compared to $46.6 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004.

14

Operating Income

As a result of the above factors, operating income for the three months ended October 29, 2005, was $267.4 million, or 8.6%, of net sales compared to $231.5 million, or 8.4%, of net sales for the three months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 15.5% from last year. Operating income for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, was $794.5 million, or 9.1%, of net sales compared to $663.4 million, or 8.7%, of net sales for the nine months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 19.8% from last year.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the three months ended October 29, 2005, was $18.0 million compared to $15.1 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004. Net interest expense for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, was $51.5 million compared to $45.1 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended October 29, 2005 was 37.8%. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 29, 2005 was 37.1%, which is less than the Company’s underlying estimated annual effective tax rate. The change in the effective tax rate was due to a tax adjustment of $4.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2005 due to the favorable resolution of certain state tax matters. The effective tax rate is expected to be 37.8% for the fourth quarter. The Company’s effective tax rate in fiscal 2004 was 37.8%.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended October 29, 2005, was $155.1 million compared to $134.6 million for the three months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 15.3% from last year. Earnings were $0.45 per diluted share for the three months ended October 29, 2005, compared to $0.39 per diluted share for the three months ended October 30, 2004. Net income for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, was $467.0 million compared to $384.6 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004, an increase of 21.4% from last year. Earnings were $1.35 per diluted share for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, compared to $1.12 per diluted share for the nine months ended October 30, 2004.

15

Seasonality & Inflation

The Company’s business, like that of most retailers, is subject to seasonal influences, with the major portion of sales and income typically realized during the last half of each fiscal year, which includes the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Approximately 15% and 30% of sales typically occur during the back-to-school and holiday seasons, respectively. Because of the seasonality of the Company’s business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year. In addition, quarterly results of operations depend significantly upon the timing and amount of revenues and costs associated with the opening of new stores.

The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its results during the periods presented. However, there can be no assurance that the Company’s business will not be affected by such factors in the future.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

The Company’s primary ongoing cash requirements are for capital expenditures in connection with the store expansion and remodeling programs, seasonal and new store inventory purchases, and the growth in proprietary credit card accounts receivable. The Company’s primary sources of funds for its business activities are cash flow from operations, short-term trade credit and its lines of credit.

Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operations was $263.4 million for the nine months ended October 29, 2005 compared to $248.6 million for the nine months ended October 30, 2004. The primary sources of cash flow for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, were net income of $467.0 million and a $625.7 million increase in accounts payable. The primary use of cash flow was an increase in merchandise inventory of $907.3 million. Short-term trade credit, in the form of extended payment terms for inventory purchases, represents a significant source of financing for merchandise inventories. Seasonal cash needs are met by financing secured by proprietary accounts receivable and lines of credit available under the Company’s revolving credit facilities.

Key financial ratios that provide certain measures of the Company’s liquidity are as follows:

	October 29, 2005	January 29, 2005	October 30, 2004 (restated)
Working Capital (In Thousands)	$2,175,610	$2,187,379	$1,994,572
Current Ratio	1.91:1	2.50:1	1.92:1
Debt/Capitalization	21.0%	18.0%	23.7%

16

The Company’s net accounts receivable balance at October 29, 2005 increased $102.5 million from the January 29, 2005 balance primarily due to the seasonality of the Company’s business. The accounts receivable balance typically peaks during the holiday season. The October 29, 2005 net accounts receivable balance increased $207.4 million over the October 30, 2004 balance. The increase is primarily due to a 19.5% year to date increase in proprietary credit card sales offset by increased payment rates. Write-offs increased to 1.2% of Kohl’s charge sales for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, compared to 1.1% last year. The Company’s estimate of incremental bad debt expense relating to the revised bankruptcy legislation, effective October 17, 2005, was $7.5 million. The Company believes write-offs of delinquent accounts were accelerated due to the revised bankruptcy legislation. As a result, the allowance for doubtful accounts was reduced to 1.6% of gross accounts receivable at October 29, 2005 from 1.8% at October 30, 2004. The following table summarizes information related to the Company’s proprietary credit card receivables:

	October 29, 2005		January 29, 2005		October 30, 2004
			(In Thousands)
Gross accounts receivable	$	1,516,647	$	1,414,289	$	1,308,871
Allowance for doubtful accounts (a)	$	24,497	$	24,657	$	24,137
Allowance as a % of gross accounts receivable		1.6%		1.7%		1.8%
Accounts receivable turnover (b)		3.8x		3.8x		3.7x
Proprietary credit card share (c)		40.8%		39.2%		39.2%
Accounts over 60 days past due		2.8%		2.5%		2.8%

(a) Delinquent accounts are written off automatically after the passage of 180 days without receiving a full scheduled monthly payment. Accounts are written off sooner in the event of customer bankruptcy or other circumstances that make further collection unlikely. Bad debts written off, net of recoveries, for the nine months ended October 29, 2005 were 3.2% of average accounts receivable compared to 2.7% of average accounts receivable for the nine months ended October 30, 2004.

(b) Turnover is computed using a rolling four quarters of credit card sales divided by average quarterly gross accounts receivable.

(c) Proprietary credit card share is calculated for the nine months ended October 29, 2005 and October 30, 2004 and the twelve months ended as of January 29, 2005.

The Company’s merchandise inventories increased $214.0 million, or 8.1% from the October 30, 2004 balance, primarily due to the opening of 94 additional stores during the first nine months of 2005. Merchandise inventory increased $907.3 million, or

17

46.6%, from the January 29, 2005 balance due to normal business seasonality and to the opening of 94 additional stores during the first nine months of 2005. On an average per store basis, the inventory at October 29, 2005 decreased approximately 6% compared to the same time last year, due to improvements in merchandise flow. Accounts payable decreased $16.1 million from October 30, 2004, and increased $625.7 million from January 29, 2005. Accounts payable as a percent of inventory at October 29, 2005 was 46.6%, compared to 51.0% at October 30, 2004. The reduction versus last year is a result of the improvement in inventory strategies and flowing receipts closer to need.

Investing Activities. Capital expenditures include costs for new store openings, store remodels, distribution center openings and other base capital needs. The Company’s capital expenditures, including favorable lease rights, for the nine months ended October 29, 2005, were $668.4 million compared to the $669.3 million for the same period a year ago.

Total capital expenditures for fiscal 2005 are expected to be approximately $875 million. This estimate includes new store spending as well as remodeling and base capital needs. The actual amount of the Company’s future annual capital expenditures will depend primarily on the number of new stores opened, the mix of owned, leased or acquired stores, the number of stores remodeled and the timing of opening distribution centers.

Financing Activities. The Company periodically accesses the capital markets, as needed, to finance its growth. The Company believes it has sufficient lines of credit and expects to generate adequate cash flows from operating activities to sustain current levels of operations. The Company has two unsecured revolving bank credit facilities (“revolvers”) totaling $552 million. The Company also has a $225.0 million Receivable Purchase Agreement (RPA) under which the Company periodically sells an undivided interest in its private label credit card receivables. For financial reporting purposes, receivables sold are treated as secured borrowings. At October 29, 2005, there was $225.0 million outstanding under the RPA and $106.5 million outstanding under the Company’s revolvers. At October 30, 2004, accounts receivable of $225.0 million were sold and $129.0 million was outstanding under the revolvers.

18

Contractual Obligations

The Company has aggregate contractual obligations of $11,013.0 million related to debt repayments, capital leases, operating leases and royalties as follows:

	Fiscal Year
	Remaining 2005		2006		2007		2008		2009		Thereafter		Total
	(In Thousands)
Short and long-term debt (a)	$	348,734	$	162,543	$	59,144	$	59,104	$	58,775	$	1,809,949	$	2,498,249
Capital leases (a)		4,249		16,998		17,085		17,263		16,014		205,394		277,003
Operating leases		83,289		338,903		337,270		330,645		330,027		6,695,517		8,115,651
Royalties		1,403		6,786		14,087		15,500		17,950		21,188		76,914
Other		4,640		19,744		19,607		930		238		—		45,159
Total	$	442,315	$	544,974	$	447,193	$	423,442	$	423,004	$	8,732,048	$	11,012,976

(a) Annual commitments on long-term debt and capital leases are inclusive of related interest costs, which total $1,170.0 million and $127.6 million, respectively.

The Company also has outstanding letters of credit and stand-by letters of credit that total approximately $30.8 million at October 29, 2005. If certain conditions were met under these arrangements, the Company would be required to satisfy the obligations in cash. Due to the nature of these arrangements and based on historical experience, the Company does not expect to make any significant payments. Therefore, they have been excluded from the preceding table.

The various debt agreements contain certain covenants that limit, among other things, additional indebtedness, as well as requiring the Company to meet certain financial tests. As of October 29, 2005, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the debt agreements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has not provided any financial guarantees as of October 29, 2005. All purchase obligations are cancelable and therefore are not included in the above table.

The Company has not created, and is not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating the Company’s business. The Company does not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s liquidity or the availability of capital resources.

19

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts. A discussion of the more significant estimates follows. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates and assumptions with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts as an estimate of the accounts receivable balance that may not be collected. The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on the aging of accounts, historical write-off experience and specific review for potential bad debts. Delinquent accounts are written off automatically after the passage of 180 days without receiving a full scheduled monthly payment. Accounts are written off sooner in the event of customer bankruptcy or other circumstances that make further collection unlikely. For all other accounts, the Company recognizes reserves for bad debts based on the length of time the accounts are past due and the anticipated future write-offs based on historical experience.

Factors that would cause this allowance to increase primarily relate to increased customer bankruptcies or other difficulties that make further collection unlikely. Conversely, improved write-off experience and aging of receivables would result in a decrease in the provision.

Retail Inventory Method and Inventory Valuation

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost or market with cost determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis using the retail inventory method (RIM). Under RIM, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are calculated by applying a cost-to-retail ratio to the retail value inventories. RIM is an averaging method that has been widely used in the retail industry due to its practicality. The use of the retail inventory method will result in inventories being valued at the lower of cost or market as markdowns are currently taken as a reduction of the retail value of inventories.

Based on a review of historical clearance markdowns, current business trends, expected vendor funding and discontinued merchandise categories, an adjustment to inventory is recorded to reflect additional markdowns which are estimated to be necessary to liquidate existing clearance inventories and reduce inventories to the lower of cost or market. Management believes that the Company’s inventory valuation approximates the net realizable value of clearance inventory and results in carrying inventory at the lower of cost or market.

20

Vendor Allowances

The Company records vendor allowances and discounts in the income statement when the purpose for which those monies were designated is fulfilled. Allowances provided by vendors generally relate to profitability of inventory recently sold and, accordingly, are reflected as reductions to cost of merchandise sold as negotiated. Vendor allowances received for print advertising or fixture programs reduce the Company’s expense or expenditure for the related advertising or fixture program. Vendor allowances will fluctuate based on the amount of promotional and clearance markdowns necessary to liquidate the inventory.

Insurance Reserve Estimates

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including workers’ compensation, general liability and employee-related health care benefits, a portion of which is paid by its associates. The Company determines the estimates for the liabilities associated with these risks by considering historical claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. A change in claims frequency and severity of claims from historical experience as well as changes in state statutes and the mix of states in which the Company operates could result in a change in the required reserve levels. Under its workers’ compensation and general liability insurance policies, the Company retains the initial risk of $500,000 and $250,000, respectively, per occurrence. The Company also has a lifetime medical payment limit of $1.5 million.

Impairment of Assets and Closed Store Reserves

The Company has a significant investment in property and equipment and favorable lease rights. The related depreciation and amortization is computed using estimated useful lives of up to 50 years. The Company reviews long-lived assets held for use (including favorable lease rights) for impairment whenever an event, such as decisions to close a store, indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company has historically not experienced any significant impairment of long-lived assets or closed store reserves. Decisions to close a store can also result in accelerated depreciation over the revised useful life. If the store is leased, a reserve is set up for the discounted difference between the rent and the expected sublease rental income when the location is no longer in use. A significant change in cash flows, market valuation, demand for real estate or other factors, could result in an increase or decrease in the reserve requirement or impairment charge.

Income Taxes

The Company pays income taxes based on tax statutes, regulations and case law of the various jurisdictions in which it operates. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various taxing authorities.

21

Operating Leases

The Company leases retail stores under operating leases. Many lease agreements contain rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty. The Company uses a time period for its straight-line rent expense calculation that equals or exceeds the time period used for depreciation of the related leasehold improvements. In addition, the commencement date of the lease term is the earlier of the date when the Company becomes legally obligated for the rent payments or the date when the Company takes possession of the building for the initial setup of fixtures and merchandise.

22

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s primary exposure to market risk consists of changes in interest rates or borrowings. At October 29, 2005, the Company’s fixed rate long-term debt, excluding capital leases, was $996.7 million.

Fixed rate long-term debt is utilized as a primary source of capital. When these debt instruments mature, the Company may refinance such debt at then existing market interest rates, which may be more or less than interest rates on the maturing debt. If interest rates on the existing fixed rate debt outstanding at October 29, 2005, changed by 100 basis points, the Company’s annual interest expense would change by $10.0 million.

During the first nine months of 2005, average borrowings under the Company’s variable rate credit facilities, the revolvers and the RPA, were $61.1 million. If interest rates on the average fiscal 2005 variable rate debt changed by 100 basis points, the Company’s interest expense would change by $611,000 assuming comparable borrowing levels.

23

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Forward Looking Statements

Items 2 and 3 of this Form 10-Q contain “forward looking statements,” subject to protections under federal law. The Company intends words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, statements covering the Company’s future sales or financial performance and the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations or intentions are forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the Company’s liquidity, planned capital expenditures, future store openings and adequacy of capital resources and reserves. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those described in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2005, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and such other factors as may periodically be described in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

24

PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
	During the three months ended October 29, 2005, the Company did not sell any equity securities which were not registered under the Securities Act or repurchase any of its equity securities.
Item 6.	Exhibits

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2	Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

25

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	Kohl’s Corporation (Registrant)
Date: December 2, 2005	/s/ R. Lawrence Montgomery
	R. Lawrence Montgomery Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: December 2, 2005	/s/ Wesley S. McDonald
	Wesley S. McDonald Chief Financial Officer

26