Kohl's in Big Grand-Opening Event

Dallas, In its largest grand-opening event to date, Kohl's will open 80 stores in some 35 states this Sunday, John Worthington, senor executive VP of stores, Kohl's Corp., said Friday in remarks at Texas A&M University's Retailing Summit, Dallas.

Worthington called customer reaction to Kohl's new exclusive brand by designer Vera Wang as "spectacular." He added that both the SimplyVera brand, which includes apparel, lingerie, accessories and home goods, and Kohl's new Food Network-branded line of goods have been doing "extremely well."

In other news, Kohl's will remodel 50 plus stores in 2008, adding such elements as updated lighting, fixtures signage and graphics.

Also, the retailer will test an in-store, online buying service this holiday season that allows for extended sizes and colors of in-store merchandise, with the goods home delivered within 48 hours.