Local & State Headlines

Kohl's officially open

• Kohl's Corp. managers say the discount retailer sets itself apart through its customer service, community service and value pricing.

Barbara Rivera Holmes

ALBANY — Shoppers filed into Kohl’s Corp.’s Albany store Thursday morning and before long, many of them were lugging slowcookers, vacuum cleaners and coffee pots, all on sale for the new store’s grand opening.

More than 100 people were lined up in front of the store entrance Thursday at 7:45 a.m. as officials talked about the store and later cut the long red ribbon signaling the official opening. An hour later, the store’s parking lot was full.

Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard praised the retailer for its economic impact on the community. Already the store has created 130 direct jobs.

Paulette Williams, the store’s general manager, said Kohl’s offers communities partnerships. Kohl’s District Manager Keith Kupets, who oversees eight central and south Georgia stores, said Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital will be the recipient of Kohl’s community grants, which can reach about $2 million.

Williams said the company also encourages employee volunteerism in the community.

The managers said the company’s dedication to customer service and array of exclusive brands — such as Simply Vera Vera Wang, The Est{‘e}e Lauder Cos.’ American Beauty and the Food Network — sets it apart from other discount retailers.

“We give exceptional customer service,” said Williams. “We have a ‘Yes, we can make it right for our customer’ (attitude),’ ” she said.

Said Kupets, “I want us to be able to resonate with the community. Value, fashion — that’s what people want today.”

To help ease traffic congestion along Nottingham Way, Kohl’s put in a back entrance from Ledo Road to the store’s parking lot.

The Albany store, one of 31 in the state, is part of a strategic plan to grow Kohl’s national representation to 1,400 stores by 2012. To company will open its 1,000th store in the fall.

Total sales for the four-week period ended March 1 increased 4.6 percent over the four-week period ended March 3, 2007, while comparable store sales, or stores open at least a year, were down 3.8 percent.

Kohl’s Corp.’s fourth-quarter sales were about $5.5 billion, up .7 percent over the same period a year ago, according to the company’s Feb. 7 financial news release.

Shares of Kohl’s (KSS) opened at $42.02 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange; it’s 52-week range is $79.55-$37.31.

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