Macellum Urges Kohl’s Shareholders to Consider the Imminent Value Destruction Risk Associated with Reelecting the Entire Current Board

Rhea-AI Summary

Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) experienced a significant drop in share price, declining over 9% in a single day, which translates to a loss of hundreds of millions in market capitalization. Macellum Advisors, holding nearly 5% of Kohl’s shares, expressed concerns that continued value destruction could affect ongoing sale negotiations and potential offers. They urged shareholders to consider voting for nominees from both management and Macellum at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Notably, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System publicly supported all of Macellum’s nominees.

Positive

• Institutional Shareholder Services recommended voting for Macellum's nominees to improve board governance.

Negative

• Kohl’s share price dropped over 9%, leading to a loss of hundreds of millions in market cap.
• Potential lower sale offers could threaten shareholder value if shares fall to mid-$40s.

Highlights Company’s Share Price Plunged 9% Yesterday – Far More Than Relevant Peers¹ – Ahead of Wednesday’s Annual Meeting, Following Recent Publicly Disclosed Voting Reports by Large Stockholders Supporting Management’s Slate

Fears the Ongoing Destruction of Billions or Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Value Could be Permanent and Result in Prospective Bidders Modifying or Reducing Offers

Urges Shareholders Who Recognize the Value of Electing Candidates from Both Slates to Utilize a Legal Proxy – Which is Akin to a Universal Proxy – to Vote FOR a Subset of Macellum’s Slate Such as Candidates Endorsed by ISS

Notes Public Institution CalSTRS Has Publicly Disclosed Its Support For ALL of Macellum’s Nominees

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Macellum Advisors GP, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Macellum” or “we”), a long-term holder of nearly 5% of the outstanding common shares of Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE: KSS) (“Kohl’s” or the “Company”), today highlighted the following points in connection with its campaign to elect highly qualified and independent candidates to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) at tomorrow’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”):

• Kohl’s saw its share price decline more than 9% yesterday, which was far more than peers, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of millions of dollars in market capitalization. We fear some investors are selling their shares given recent publicly disclosed voting positions of large shareholders supporting management’s slate and how that outcome could jeopardize a credible sale process being carried out to conclusion.

• We fear the ongoing destruction of shareholder value could have a terrible impact on the current sale process. If the Company’s share price drops into the mid-$40s or lower, as noted as a possibility in a recent analyst report issued by Morgan Stanley, we are concerned potential acquirers could use that as leverage to modify or reduce their offers. This would be a direct threat to shareholder value.

• We urge shareholders interested in voting for candidates from both sides to utilize a legal proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting. Macellum believes the market is sending all shareholders of Kohl’s a loud and clear message about its view on the current Board. Shareholders can take out a legal proxy card and vote for a combination of the Company’s nominees and Macellum’s nominees to ensure the best directors are in the boardroom. Contact our proxy solicitor at info@saratogaproxy.com with questions.

• As a reminder, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders vote for boardroom change on Macellum’s WHITE proxy card. ISS supports the addition of two Macellum nominees – Jeffrey Kantor and Pamela Edwards – to Kohl's' Board. ISS also stated that “some shareholders may consider the addition of Macellum’s CEO, Jonathan Duskin, to the Board as a net positive.” ²

• ISS also noted that “[…] the company could have adopted a universal card - as requested by the dissident in February, three weeks before the company filed its preliminary proxy - thereby averting this risk of unintended consequences” and that “shareholders need to consider their degree of trust in the current board to oversee the ongoing sale process, as well as the skills and expertise required in a standalone scenario in case the sale does not materialize.”

Macellum would also like to take this opportunity to thank the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, which safeguards the financial futures of scores of public employees, for its decision to vote for the firm’s nominees.

About Macellum

Macellum Capital Management is an activist investment firm, with deep expertise in the retail and consumer sectors, founded in 2009 by Jonathan Duskin. Macellum invests in undervalued companies that it believes can appreciate significantly in value as a result of a change in corporate strategy or improvements in operations, capital allocation or corporate governance. Macellum’s investment team, advisors and network of industry experts draw upon their extensive strategic, operating and boardroom experience to assist companies in designing and implementing initiatives to improve long-term shareholder value. Macellum prefers to constructively engage with management to improve its governance and performance for the benefit of all stockholders. However, when management is entrenched, Macellum has run successful proxy contests to effectuate meaningful change. Macellum has run successful election contests to effectuate meaningful change at many companies, including at The Children’s Place Inc., Citi Trends, Inc., Bed Bath and Beyond and Big Lots, Inc. Learn more at www.macellumcapitalmanagement.com.

¹ Peers reflect retailers such as Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M) and Dillard's Inc. (NYSE: DDS).
² Permission to quote ISS was neither sought nor obtained.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220510006059/en/

For Investors:



Saratoga Proxy Consulting

John Ferguson / Joe Mills, 212-257-1311

info@saratogaproxy.com



For Media:



Longacre Square Partners

Greg Marose / Bela Kirpalani, 646-386-0091

macellum@longacresquare.com

Source: Macellum Advisors GP, LLC

FAQ

What factors led to Kohl's Corporation (KSS) share price drop?

Kohl's share price fell over 9% due to concerns about shareholder voting and ongoing value destruction.

How is Macellum Advisors impacting Kohl's Corporation (KSS) board elections?

Macellum Advisors is campaigning for the election of its nominees to the board, highlighting the need for change.

What is the significance of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System's support for Macellum?

The support from CalSTRS indicates strong institutional backing for Macellum's board nominees, potentially influencing other shareholders.

Why are shareholders urged to use a legal proxy for voting at Kohl's meeting?

Shareholders are advised to use a legal proxy to vote for a combination of nominees from both management and Macellum to ensure effective governance.

What is the potential impact of a share price drop into the mid-$40s for Kohl's Corporation (KSS)?

A drop to the mid-$40s could lead to reduced offers from potential acquirers, adversely affecting shareholder value.