Kohl's CEO Steps Down

Michelle Gass is stepping down as CEO of Kohl’s and will join Levi Strauss & Co. as president of LS&Co, a new position with the apparel company. She will report to Chip Bergh, president & CEO. Gass is also stepping down as a member of Kohl’s board of directors. 

Tom Kingsbury has been named Kohl’s interim CEO beginning Dec. 2 and will serve in that position until a successor is named.

“I am incredibly proud of what the team at Kohl’s has accomplished and I’m very confident in their ability to drive continued innovation, growth and value for customers,” Gass said. "Kohl’s associates and brand partners are an inspiration to me, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this great team and company.”

During her tenure at Kohl’s, Gass drove the renovation of more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores, and led a number of strategic innovations including the introduction of Amazon returns and the strategic partnership with Sephora, which has expanded to 600 Kohl’s locations.

But there were also challenging moments during Gass’s tenure, which included an attempt by activist investors to overhaul the retailer’s board of directors and sell itself while also shedding some real estate. While those efforts failed, the CEO of Macellum said his firm would continue to push for changes.