Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today released its 2011 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, providing updates on the company’s programs and accomplishments in sustainability, community relations and social compliance. It is available for download on Kohl’s Investor Relations page under Corporate Governance and on KohlsGreenScene.com. While the company has for several years posted a Report to Shareholders on Social Responsibility on its Investor Relations page and last year released a corporate sustainability report, this marks the company’s first formal, comprehensive social responsibility report.

“Kohl’s has a longstanding commitment to social responsibility with the goal of making a positive impact on the customers and communities we serve and the environment we share,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “It is our hope that this report demonstrates this commitment and continues to serve as a resource each year on the advancement and integration of our CSR efforts – from our Kohl’s Cares programs to our social compliance efforts and ongoing collaboration with our suppliers.”

Kohl’s 2011 CSR Highlights

Sustainability – Kohl’s Cares®: Advancing Environmental Solutions: Kohl’s is committed to protecting and conserving the environment through innovative solutions that promote long-term sustainability.

• In 2011, Kohl’s revised its environmental strategies to reflect an enhanced focus on supply chain sustainability efforts and stakeholder engagement, with operational programs such as energy efficiency, building design and waste reduction continuing to serve as a key focus.
• As of the end of fiscal 2011, Kohl’s:
  • operated 121 solar arrays at stores and corporate facilities.
  • achieved ENERGY STAR labels for 677 locations.
  • achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for more than 200 locations and earned Gold LEED pre-certification on its prototypes for new and existing stores.
  • purchased more than 1.4 billion kWh of renewable energy credits, offsetting 100 percent of Kohl’s purchased electricity use.
  • recycled 78 percent of all operating waste.
  • surveyed the company’s top 300 vendors on their sustainability practices each quarter, with the average score improving seven points from 2010.
  • executed 18,880 backhaul trips to its distribution centers from vendors on return trips to stores, eliminating more than 4.3 million empty miles.
  • served as a participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Building’s Challenge, a founding circle member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and a participant in Business for Social Responsibility’s Energy Efficiency Pilot.

Community Relations: Kohl’s is committed to giving back to the communities the company serves – not only through charitable donations and resources, but also with talent and time.

• Kohl’s Cares® - Kids Health and Education: Kohl’s supports kids' health and education initiatives in communities nationwide. With more than a decade of dedication and millions of dollars raised, Kohl’s aims to give kids a happier, healthier future.
  • Cause Merchandise Program: Since 2000, more than $208 million has been raised through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program, including more than $28 million raised in 2011.
  • Hospital Partners: Since 2000, Kohl’s has donated $149 million to more than 160 hospital partners nationwide, including more than $23 million donated in 2011.
  • Scholarship Program: Since 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 15,000 kids with over $3 million in scholarships and prizes through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program. In 2011, Kohl’s recognized nearly 2,200 kids with more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes.
  • Fundraising Gift Card program: Since 2000, more than 12,500 organizations have participated in the Kohl’s Cares Fundraising Gift Card program, raising more than $35 million in fundraising dollars and providing a simple, effective way to help raise funds for schools and youth-serving nonprofit organizations.
  • Hometown: Since 2000, Kohl’s and Kohl’s Cares have combined to give approximately $43 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including $9.4 million in 2011.
• Kohl’s Cares®: Women’s Health: In Wisconsin, through Kohl’s cause merchandise program and partnerships with world-class women's health organizations like the Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The American Cancer Society Midwest Division, Kohl’s continues to fund research, raise awareness and educate women about the importance of regular breast exams and breast cancer prevention.
  • In 2010, Kohl’s committed to donating more than $7 million over three years to the American Cancer Society’s Midwest Division and the Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
  • In 2011, Kohl’s represented the largest corporate team at the Milwaukee events for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk with more than 5,000 and 2,000 associates, friends and family participating, respectively.
  • In Wisconsin stores and at Kohls.com, Kohl’s showcased exclusive breast cancer cause merchandise from Simply Vera Vera Wang, Dana Buchman and FILA SPORT with 100 percent of the net profit donated to the fight against breast cancer.
• Kohl’s Cares®: Associates in Action: Kohl’s associates are making a difference in the lives of children by volunteering for youth-serving nonprofit organizations and environmental initiatives. When a minimum of five associates from one Kohl’s location volunteer at least three consecutive hours of their time with a qualifying organization, associates help the nonprofit earn a grant.
  • Since 2001, more than 500,000 Kohl’s associates volunteered for more than 1.6 million hours during more than 85,000 events, resulting in more than $47 million in grants donated. In 2011, more than 123,000 Kohl’s associates volunteered for more than 420,000 hours during more than 21,000 events, resulting in more than $12.4 million in grants donated.

• Disaster Relief
  • Since 2001, Kohl’s has given more than $4.2 million toward disaster relief efforts. In 2011, Kohl’s gave more than $900,000 toward these initiatives and donated to the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts following natural disasters. The company also encourages associates to volunteer in support of clean-up efforts through Associates in Action.

Social Compliance: Kohl’s is committed to operating within the highest standards of social responsibility and holds partners to these same high standards through Kohl’s Terms of Engagement policy, which is available in full at connection.kohls.com under the “new vendors” tab. Among highlights for 2011:

• Kohl’s continued to emphasize open, ongoing communication with vendor partners. The company conducted numerous individual training sessions for partners to promote understanding and compliance with Kohl’s requirements.
• Kohl’s is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition Social/Labor working group.
• Kohl’s participated in the Better Factories Cambodia and Better Work Vietnam programs, which are focused on strengthening labor standards in export garment industries in specified countries.
• Kohl’s completed more than 3,400 factory monitoring visits, including more than 2,000 unannounced visits at more than 1,900 facilities.

Additional information about Kohl’s efforts in the areas of sustainability, community relations and social compliance is available on Kohl’s Investor Relations page, Kohls.com/Cares and KohlsGreenScene.com.

About Kohl’s

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,134 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $208 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, or join the discussion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kohls or Twitter http://twitter.com/Kohls

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).

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