Kohl's has lots in store for 2012

NEW YORK — Kohl’s Department Stores has opened eight new stores, bringing approximately 1,000 new jobs nationwide. The company now operates 1,134 stores in 49 states.

The new stores are located in seven states, including Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Of the eight locations, seven are small format stores with approximately 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space, providing greater real estate flexibility.

Kohl’s also continues to invest in its existing store base, and will remodel approximately 50 stores this year. Over the last six years, more than 60% of Kohl’s store base has been remodeled with innovation features or newly built. Some of these features include updated check-out stations, newly designed shopping carts and strollers, upgraded fitting rooms throughout the store and electronic signs in all departments.

Six of the new stores opening this week were built according to a prototype that received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council. Characteristics of stores built to LEED standards include: recycled and regionally sourced building materials; water-efficient landscaping and plumbing fixtures and the use of Energy Star-rated roofs that reduce each building’s energy demand.

Green characteristics of all stores opening this week include waste management to recycle construction materials, occupancy sensor lighting for stockrooms, dressing rooms, break rooms and offices, energy management systems to control heating and cooling and a recycling program for cardboard boxes, hangers and packaging.