Kohl's 2002 Annual Report Download - page 16

We didn’t become a major national retailer by merely constructing
new buildings and adding new merchandise. It takes people to make
it happen, and ours are exceptional. We are proud of all of our
Associates, who every day and in every location have an important
role in our success.
We added over 15,000 new Associates in 2002, bringing our total
number of Associates to more than 75,000. Kohl’s Associates are
committed to their company, thrive on our culture and take pride in
pulling together as a winning team. Their attention to detail, friendly
personalities and positive attitudes keep our stores, distribution centers
and corporate office running smoothly and our customers coming
back time after time. Their commitment to our customers is under-
scored by our consistently high rankings in customer service. As an
example, Kohl’s topped all other department stores in the fourth
quarter 2002 American Customer Satisfaction Index issued by the
American Society for Quality.
An outstanding place to work
Our ability to attract and retain the people that drive our success
revolves around making Kohl’s a great place to work. Our retention
rates are consistently higher than many others in our industry, giving
us the competitive advantage of increased productivity and lower costs.
Kohl’s steady expansion provides excellent growth opportunities for
our Associates. Our national internship and college recruitment pro-
grams feed our management training program. Once they are on our
team, we encourage and nurture our Associates through a variety of
training programs designed to help them grow both personally and
professionally as they build their career with Kohl’s.
The numbers tell the story. Over 200 Associates and college students
entered our executive training programs in our stores and corporate
office in 2002, 60% through internal promotions and the remainder
through our campus recruiting program. Over 70% of our current
store managers attained their positions through internal promotions.
Great ideas from great Associates
We value our Associates for their many contributions to the company,
including their great ideas. At least one Associate from each of our
stores is invited to attend our annual meeting
each year. We gather these Associates
together and ask them for their suggestions
and ideas on how we can make Kohl’s even
better. Their creative and well thought-out
suggestions have resulted in new systems
and programs that streamline our in-store
processes and improve internal communica-
tions to better serve our customers.
Kohl’s Associates share in our financial
success through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Started with an initial contribution of $1 million in 1992, the ESOP
was valued at over $87 million at the end of 2002.
From Boston on the East Coast to Los Angeles on the West, Kohl’s
success is due to the talent and contributions of our Associates in
every location and in every market. Together, we look forward to con-
tinued success in the years ahead.
“We value our
Associates for their
many contributions
to the company,
including their
great ideas.”
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