Kohl's Corp. is preparing to name interim leader Michael Bender as its permanent CEO.
The decision could be announced as early as Monday, and it marks a major step for the retailer as it tries to steady itself after years of leadership changes and falling sales.
A person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the company's board interviewed several candidates before choosing Bender.
As of Sunday, Kohl's had not responded to requests for comment, and Reuters said it could not yet verify the report. Bender also could not be reached for reaction.
Bender took over as interim CEO in May after former chief executive Ashley Buchanan was fired.
According to the NY Post, Buchanan lost his job less than 100 days into the role after an investigation found he had an undisclosed personal relationship with a vendor whose deals he had strongly pushed inside the company.
The incident marked the retailer's third CEO change in three years, adding even more pressure during a period when Kohl's has struggled with competition from online retailers and big-box stores.
Kohl's to name Michael Bender as permanent CEO, Bloomberg News reports https://t.co/YAvqKJrZ6q https://t.co/YAvqKJrZ6q
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 23, 2025
Michael Bender Brings 30 Years to Kohl's
Kohl's announced at the time that it would begin searching for a permanent CEO right away. Bender, who has served on the company's board since 2019, quickly became a leading figure in the transition.
He brings more than 30 years of experience from major brands, including Walmart, Victoria's Secret, and Eyemart Express.
Many employees and shoppers have been watching closely to see whether his leadership could offer the stability Kohl's has been missing.
If Bender is officially named CEO this week, the timing will be notable. Kohl's is scheduled to release its third-quarter earnings on Tuesday.
The company's stock has risen 11% so far this year, and analysts expect revenue to fall about 4%, which would still be an improvement compared to recent quarters, StockWits reported.
Some market watchers say they are hoping Bender's appointment will give investors a clearer sense of direction.
Online conversations among retail traders have also focused on the possible leadership change.
One commenter said the company now knows "what we got, going forward," pointing to Bender's long track record.
Another said they are expecting more good news from Kohl's this week as the retailer tries to rebuild momentum.
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