Kohl's, Inc.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores announced a long-term license agreement with Bobby Flay to renew the chef's exclusive line of home and grill products, which will be available in Kohl’s stores nationwide and Kohls.com beginning February 2012.

New York City -- Kohl’s Corp. is looking to focus on smaller stores as it continues to expand across the country, chairman and CEO Kevin Mansell said in remarks following the company's annual meeting Thursday, according to The Business Journal.

The chain expects to open about 40 stores this year, and 30 of them will be smaller models. Kohl’s smaller footprint generally averages about 60,000 sq. ft. as compared with 90,000 sq. ft. for a typical store, the report said.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter earnings rose 6%, helped by online sales and Easter demand in the Southeast.

Net income rose to $211 million from $199 million in the year-ago period. Sales in the quarter ended April 30 rose 3.1% to $4.16 billion. Same-store sales were up 1.3%.

New York City -- Retailers reported strong April sales that were boosted by the late Easter holiday, which fell on April 24, three weeks later than last year. Same-store sales rose 8.9% at the 25 retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters, compared with expectations for an 8.2% increase. But the good news was tempered as retailers acknowledged that shoppers are under increasing pressure from rising gas prices and other cost increases.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. has added another exclusive label to its lineup with Rock & Republic Apparel. The company signed a long-term licensing agreement with R&R Apparel Co. LLC and its parent company, VF Corp.

Rock & Republic will launch in men’s and women’s apparel and footwear in spring 2012. It may expand into children’s accessories and home goods over time. Nearly half of Kohl’s sales in 2010 came from exclusive brands.

Wilmington, Del. -- Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Kohl’s Department Stores announced an exclusive marketing partnership in which Chase card members enrolled in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program will gain access to a wide range of increased rewards benefits for shopping at Kohl’s.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced that the company will be recognized as a 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second consecutive year at the Energy Star Awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C. The Partner of the Year Award is presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced Tuesday that it will be recognized as a 2011 Energy Star Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The award, Kohl’s second consecutive, will be presented Tuesday evening at the Energy Star Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.