Kohl's Closing 18 Stores in 2016

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Kohl’s will close 18 stores in the U.S. this year, the department store announced Thursday.

The specific locations are yet to be announced but should be known to the public by the end of March, the company said.

There is Kohl’s located in Framingham in Shoppers World, next to the new Chick-Fil-A.

In the announcement, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer Kevin Mansell promised that all employees working at the doomed locations will be offered positions at nearby Kohl’s locations or will receive a competitive severance package if they prefer.

Kohl’s plans to pilot seven stores in various locations that will be smaller than the typical model, the company said in the announcement. They also plan to open 12 Fila outlet stores and two Off-Aisle pilot stores in Wisconsin.

Framingham recently had its Koh’s downsized. Part of what was Kohl’s is now a Pier1 Imports.

“While the decision to close stores is a difficult one, we evaluated all of the elements that contribute to making a store successful, and we were thoughtful and strategic in our approach,” Mansell said in the announcement.