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Kohl's has reportedly slashed about 10% of its corporate workforce amid plans to close stores in 15 states.
"The real estate closures and the corporate workforce reduction are both actions to support our commitments to increase efficiencies and improve profitability in the business for the long-term benefit of our associates and customers," Kohl's said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY on Friday (January 31).
The Wisconsin-based department store chain recently announced it planned to close 27 "underperforming" stores by April. More than half of the jobs cut are reported to be from closing open positions, while the rest affected are held by current associates, according to the statement.
"Knowing the impact this has on our associates, we took this decision very seriously," Kohn's said via USA TODAY. "All impacted associates have been informed and we provided competitive severance packages to help support their transition."
Kohl's opted not to give a specific number of layoffs, but claimed that fewer than 200 employees were impacted by the job cuts. The 27 stores previously announced to close are included one in Alabama, one in Arkansas, 10 in California, one in Colorado, one in Georgia, one in Idaho, two in Illinois, one in Massachusetts, one in New Jersey, two in Ohio, one in Oregon, one in Pennsylvania, one in Texas, one in Utah and two in Virginia.