Yearly Executive Honoree: Michelle Gass, Kohl's Department Store

In the bustling world of retail, Kohl's has been making waves with a series of strategic partnerships and initiatives in 2019. The year began with a significant announcement, as Kohl's announced a tie-up with WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) in January.

The partnership with WW marked a new chapter for Kohl's, although further details were not immediately disclosed. As the year unfolded, Kohl's continued to make headlines with its innovative strategies.

One of the most notable moves was the Amazon collaboration. Michelle Gass, Kohl's CEO, explained that the aim was to convert Amazon traffic into loyal Kohl's shoppers. This was further bolstered by the Amazon returns program, which aligned with Kohl's strategy of driving traffic to its stores.

In April, Kohl's made another major announcement. The retailer signed an exclusive deal with the Olsen sisters for their lifestyle brand Elizabeth and James. The collection was set to be available in stores and online starting this holiday season. Simultaneously, Kohl's revealed that it would take returns from Amazon at all of its locations.

Customers could now return Amazon items without a box or label at Kohl's, making the process more convenient for shoppers. This move was part of Kohl's broader strategy to attract more foot traffic to its brick-and-mortar stores.

In the same month, Kohl's launched a partnership with Planet Fitness. Up to 10 workout centers were planned to open adjacent to select stores, further blurring the lines between retail and fitness.

The year 2019 also saw Kohl's celebrating the tenth year of Lauren Conrad's LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's line. Vera Wang's Simply Vera Vera Wang line, an affordable fashion mainstay at Kohl's, continued to be a popular choice among customers.

Kohl's also introduced a new concept called "Curated by Kohl's" in the summer of 2019. This initiative is a partnership with Facebook and will roll out new brands each quarter that have a strong online community on the platform.

The diverse product offerings at Kohl's affirmed its positioning of offering refreshed lines while continuing to drive traffic in its brick-and-mortar locations. The success of Kohl's in the 2018 holiday season set the stage for all of 2019.

In October, Kohl's announced a large assortment of brands joining the store for the holiday season. Fanatics, Ellen DeGeneres, Nine West, and Scott Living were among the brands set to join Kohl's for the festive season.

The year ended on a high note with Kohl's launching a partnership with designer Jason Wu. The exclusive, limited-edition women's apparel collection, inspired by classic Hollywood glamour, consisted of signature pieces for holiday dressing.

Michelle Gass's collaborations with designers including Jennifer Lopez in 2020 helped strengthen Kohl's brand appeal and attract more millennial customers. With its strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, Kohl's continues to redefine the retail landscape.