Retailer & Marketplace
Academy Sports + Outdoors vs Kohl's
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
Academy Sports + Outdoors · vs · Kohl'sUS sporting goods retailer with omnichannel commerce and loyalty ecosystem.
US omnichannel retailer with marketplace, loyalty and retail media operations.
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Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl's?
When comparing Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl's, both platforms operate within the Loyalty Management Platform, In-App, and Retailer & Marketplace ecosystem. Academy Sports + Outdoors is positioned as US sporting goods retailer with omnichannel commerce and loyalty ecosystem, whereas Kohl's focuses on US omnichannel retailer with marketplace, loyalty and retail media operations. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl's?
When evaluating Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl's, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Loyalty Management Platform, In-App, and Retailer & Marketplace. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
How do the corporate scale, structure, and headquarters of Academy Sports + Outdoors and Kohl's compare?
Academy Sports + Outdoors is headquartered in United States (founded in 1938) with >5,000 employees. Kohl's is based in United States (founded in 1962) with >5,000 employees. Complete ownership, subsidiary trees, and corporate affiliations are documented across Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: Academy Sports + Outdoors vs Kohl's
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Recent Signals
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Academy Sports + Outdoors (2026-09-09)
On September 9, 2026, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. filed a Form 8-K to furnish its financial results for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026. Under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01, the company announced the issuance of its quarterly earnings press release and published its accompanying Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation on its investor relations website. The filing serves as the official regulatory mechanism to make the quarterly performance metrics and management disclosures publicly available to market participants.
- Furnished financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended August 1, 2026 via press release (Exhibit 99.1).
- Released the Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Presentation to the corporate investor relations portal (Exhibit 99.2).
- Filed under Items 2.02 and 7.01, signed by Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary Brandy Treadway.
- ·SEC APIfinancials
10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Academy Sports + Outdoors (2026-09-09)
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. filed its Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended August 1, 2026, reporting net sales of $1.65 billion, a 3.0% increase year-over-year, driven by strength in sports, recreation, and outdoor categories, alongside a 14.1% increase in e-commerce sales. Gross margin expanded 440 basis points to 40.4%, bolstered by $83.7 million in one-time IEEPA tariff refunds recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold, partially offset by a $72.2 million remittance to a third-party buyer recorded in other expense. Net income reached $137.9 million ($2.17 diluted EPS), compared to $125.4 million ($1.85 diluted EPS) in Q2 2025. During the quarter, the company completed a debt refinancing by issuing $500 million of 5.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2031 and amending its $1.0 billion ABL Facility to extend maturity through May 2031, using the proceeds to fully redeem its 6.00% 2020 Notes and prepay its outstanding Term Loan. Academy also continued its capital return strategy, repurchasing 1.61 million shares for $82.9 million and declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share.
- Q2 2026 net sales rose 3.0% year-over-year to $1.65 billion with e-commerce growing 14.1%, while net income increased 9.9% to $137.9 million ($2.17 diluted EPS).
- Issued $500.0 million in 5.875% Senior Secured Notes due May 2031 and extended the $1.0 billion ABL Facility to 2031 to fully refinance the 2020 Notes and prepay the remaining Term Loan balance.
- Repurchased 1,608,528 shares of common stock for $82.9 million in Q2 ($182.1 million YTD), leaving $256.1 million authorized under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program.
Kohl's
Recent Signals
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Kohl's (2026-10-29)
On October 29, 2026, Kohl's Corporation expanded its Board of Directors from eight to nine members and appointed Stacy Taffet as an independent director, effective immediately. Ms. Taffet has been designated to serve on the Board's Audit Committee. Under the Company's Non-Employee Director Compensation Program, she will receive a restricted stock grant on November 13, 2026, with an estimated grant date fair value of $145,000, vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. The appointment contributes to Kohl's ongoing board refreshment initiatives without introducing any related-party transaction conflicts.
- Kohl's Board of Directors increased its total membership from eight to nine directors effective October 29, 2026.
- Stacy Taffet was appointed as an independent director and assigned to the Audit Committee.
- Ms. Taffet is scheduled to receive a restricted stock equity award on November 13, 2026, with a grant date fair value of approximately $145,000, vesting in one year.
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Kohl's (2026-08-31)
On August 31, 2026, Kohl's Corporation announced a leadership transition in its merchandising division. Nick Jones will depart as Chief Merchandising Officer effective October 1, 2026, receiving separation benefits under his March 20, 2023 Executive Compensation Agreement. He will be succeeded by Ryan M. Waymire, who accepted the appointment as Chief Merchandising Officer effective September 28, 2026. Waymire brings extensive retail and e-commerce experience from previous leadership roles at Walmart (Senior VP of Fashion), Wayfair, FabFitFun, Amazon, and Target. This transition reflects Kohl's ongoing focus on revamping apparel and merchandising strategies across its omnichannel operations.
- Chief Merchandising Officer Nick Jones will depart Kohl's effective October 1, 2026, receiving separation benefits pursuant to his March 20, 2023 agreement.
- Ryan M. Waymire was appointed Chief Merchandising Officer effective September 28, 2026, having previously served as Senior VP of Fashion at Walmart U.S. as well as holding leadership roles at Wayfair, FabFitFun, Amazon, and Target.
- ·Retail DiveRetail Media & Consumer Trends
Gen Z, Gen Alpha Drive AI-First Holiday Retail Trends
Retailers must adapt to Gen Z and Gen Alpha's AI-driven shopping behaviors this holiday season. These generations are price-sensitive, digitally savvy, and influenced by physical experiences. AI chatbots are becoming the 'new front door' for discovery and purchasing, with 80% of Gen Z using AI for purchases. Retailers like Target and Kohl's have launched AI gift finders. However, physical stores remain crucial for experiential shopping, offering a break from over-personalization. Experts emphasize balancing AI with emotional connection and authentic experiences, as young shoppers seek tactile and sensory retail environments.
- 80% of Gen Z shoppers used AI for purchases within the last three months.
- Target and Kohl's launched AI gift finder tools for holiday shopping.
- JLL study found 72% of consumers left stores early due to overstimulation.
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
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