:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2207216659-a85e06ea4d3748a8ad90a3cd588e9314.jpg "Kohl's Stock Surge: Meme Traders Fuel 40% Rise")
Kohl’s Stock Surge: Meme Traders Fuel 40% Rise
Kohl’s Stock Sees a Flicker of Hope Amidst CEO Shake-Up adn Back-to-School Push
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Kohl’s is navigating a turbulent period, with its stock showing signs of life despite a recent CEO departure and the rollout of a new turnaround strategy. The retail giant’s latest financial reports, published in late May, surpassed expectations, offering a glimmer of optimism for investors. However, this positive news arrived on the heels of a important leadership change, as the company ousted its CEO shortly after unveiling an enterprising plan to revive its fortunes.
Back-to-School Strategy aims to Reconnect with Core Customers
In a move designed to win back shoppers, Kohl’s announced last week that its stores are now well-stocked with “hundreds of back-to-school staples” priced under $10. This initiative includes a strong emphasis on the retailer’s proprietary brands, a strategy that former CEO Ashley Buchanan admitted in March had been neglected, leading to alienation of long-time customers and a subsequent dip in sales.
A New CEO, A Familiar Challenge
The previous CEO, Ashley Buchanan, took the helm of the struggling retailer in early 2025 with a clear mandate: to revitalize sales by focusing on value-driven products and simplifying promotional efforts. His tenure, however, was cut short just two months later. Buchanan was reportedly fired for cause, stemming from allegations that he directed Kohl’s to contract with an individual with whom he had a romantic history.
Wall Street’s Mixed Outlook for Kohl’s
Despite the recent positive sales figures and the renewed focus on core customer needs, Wall Street analysts remain largely cautious. Visible Alpha’s consensus price target stands at $8, a figure notably below Kohl’s closing price of $10.42 on Monday. Adding to this cautious sentiment,UBS analysts recently reiterated a price target of $4.
However,ther are some signs of a more optimistic outlook.Goldman Sachs, for instance, recently raised its price target to $7, citing improvements in sales and inventory levels as key drivers for this adjustment.
This article has been updated as its initial publication to reflect the latest share price information and provide additional context on the company’s recent developments.