Kohl’s To Add 30 Stores in California

Kohl’s is hoping for a gold rush of its own with the opening of 30 stores in California this fall. The Menonomee Falls, Wis.-based department store chain laid the ground work for expansion in December with the acquisition of leases for former Mervyn’s stores around the state. Mervyn’s, which was based in Hayward, Calif., began liquidation of its 149 stores after filing for bankruptcy in mid-2008.

This round of openings will give Kohl’s 121 stores in the Golden State. The mid-priced retailer had more good news this week. Sales for the four-week month ended August 1, 2009 increased 5.2 percent over the same period in 2008. On a comparable store basis, sales increased 0.4 percent, exceeding expectations.