1962 Kohl's opens its doors with its first store located in Brookfield, Wis.

1978 The Kohl's Corp. becomes wholly owned by the BATUS Retail Group, a subsidiary of British-American Tobacco Company. While owned by BATUS, Kohl's expands from 10 to 39 stores throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

1986 Kohl's is purchased by a group of investors led by Kohl's senior management. The company opens its 40th store.

1988 Kohl's acquires 26 Main Street Stores, expanding to 66 stores.

1992 Kohl's offers 11.1 million shares of the company's stock to the public in one of the largest initial public stock offerings ever made by a Wisconsin company.

1993-1996 Kohl's continues its expansion. In 1993, the company opens 11 new stores; in 1994, Kohl's adds another 18 locations. In both 1995 and 1996, Kohl's adds 22 stores. Kohl’s stock splits two for one on April 12, 1996.

1997 Kohl's enters Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, expanding with 32 new stores.

1998 Kohl's joins the S&P 500. The company's expansion continues with 32 additional stores, including locations in Winston-Salem/Greensboro, Richmond and Knoxville. Kohl's stock splits two for one on April 10.

1999 Kohl's Corp. reports its fourth consecutive year of earnings growth over 30%. The company unveils new stores in the St. Louis, Dallas/Fort Worth and Denver markets. Kohl's expands its corporate headquarters facility in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

2000 Kohl's opens 60 stores to operate 320 stores in 26 states by year-end. New market entries include Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Long Island and Oklahoma. Market expansion openings include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Kohl's stock splits two for one on March 6. The company adds a fourth distribution center in Blue Springs, Mo., and an e-commerce fulfillment center in Monroe, Ohio.

2001 Kohl's expands into the Southeast region of the United States with new stores in Atlanta. The company extends its expansion into the South Central United States with stores in Oklahoma City, Austin, Fayetteville and El Paso. Kohl's fifth distribution center opens in Corsicana, Texas.

2002 Kohl’s opens its first stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The company also adds stores in Houston. In total, Kohl’s opens 75 stores in 2002. Kohl’s also opens a distribution center in San Bernardino, Calif., to facilitate its Southwest expansion. At the end of the year, sales exceed $9 billion, and the company counts more than 80,000 associates among its ranks.

2003 CEO Larry Montgomery becomes the chairman of the board of directors. Kohl’s opens 28 stores in California, marking a coast-to-coast presence for the company for the first time in its history. The 28 stores are spread over five Southern California counties. It also opens stores in San Antonio and continues its Southwest expansion with stores in Arizona and Nevada.

2004 Kohl's opens 95 stores including five new markets in California, making it the company's largest state with a total of 62 stores. By the end of fiscal year 2004, customers are shopping at Kohl's in 40 states through 637 stores. Kohl's appeal broadens with the introduction of several new exclusive, private and national brands, like daisy fuentes, Oh Baby by Motherhood® and Laura Ashley Lifestyles. Also, Kohl's, in partnership with Estée Lauder, adds a new department, Beauty, to offer more value in-store.

2005 Kohl's opens 95 new stores, including its first locations in Florida. Kohl's expands their men's offerings with the introduction of Chaps.

2006 Kohl's opens 85 new stores, including its expansion into the Northwest. In spring, Kohl's expands its collection of exclusive lines with the introduction of Tony Hawk® and Chaps for women and boys.

2007 Kohl’s opens 112 new stores. In September 2007, Kohl’s introduces the highly anticipated Simply Vera Vera Wang brand and the Food Network™ branded line of home goods. Both of these brands are exclusive to Kohl’s.

2008 Kohl’s introduces Jumping Beans®, a new children’s private brand, and Gold Toe, a national hosiery brand. The ELLE™ brand was expanded to an additional 500 stores and is now in all Kohl’s stores nationwide. In May, Kohl’s launched the Bobby Flay™ line, an expansion of its Food Network™ relationship. In July, Kohl's launched the Abbey Dawn line, a juniors' lifestyle brand that blends authentic rock with a feminine edge, inspired by rock sensation Avril Lavigne. In August, Kevin Mansell was named president and chief executive officer, with Larry Montgomery remaining as chairman of the board. In Fall, Kohl's launched FILA SPORT®, an elite sportswear brand that includes a full line of active apparel for women, men and children as well as accessories including sport bags and footwear.