The success was a result of four initiatives laid out to concentrate on merchandise content, managing inventory, marketing, and enhancing store shopping experience. In the current year Kohl's plans to expand on the basis of last year's success and introduce new brands. The store plans to add about 500 more locations within the next five years. This expansion will be made through a strategic blend of existing and new stores, along with taking advantage of real estate opportunities that may climb as the sector continues to uphold. The company plans to operate over 1200 stores throughout US by the end of 2010.

The focus is to control its brand concept, adding value and cater to needs of existing customers. Widen customer base with better management of inventory along with continuously offering of latest and exclusive new clothing lines.

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced national and exclusive brand apparel, shoes, accessories, home, and beauty products in an exciting shopping environment. It operates 749 stores in 43 states.

Sears Holdings: Merger to roll-out silk route

Sears Holdings completed its first year of the 'Sears' and 'K-Mart' grand merger in March 2006. The merger had created great anticipations for better product and value.

The first year after merger, passed in settling down merger integration affairs and putting strategies into practice. However, now all the issues are settled down and the company has shifted its gear to attain for $55 billion in revenue within the next few years.

The integration processes of the two companies are finalized and this is the time to examining and executing the strategies set during the merger. The company is following new format, SearsbraM for clear communication on the quality of product variety.

The popular brands, such as Craftsman, Diehard, Land's End, and Kenmore are aimed for better product assortments to mark their name as identity of quality and excellence. The stores, which were not performing well, have been shut down.

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's third largest broad-line retailer, with approximately $55 billion in annual revenues, and with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada.

Tommy Hilfiger: Tightens inventory management

In terms of achieving objectives, last year was encouraging for Tommy Hilfiger, as it successfully expanded its European business, restructured US wholesale operations, re-organized product assortment, while growing the company as a multi-brand recognition.

The company reorganized merchandise mix by removing the junior and young men's collections, while more concentrated on men's and women's clothing lines. It has enhanced its inventory management to get better on the flow of products to the sales floor.

Tommy is focusing more on sophisticated premium denim market than the promotional jeans wear commodity. Additionally, it is launching new labels for women "Crest", anticipated to meet the increasing demand for casual dress line for women. The management at Tommy is optimistic about the new product line, and expects that it will offer huge opportunity to meet consumer requirements with a casual clothing line.

The key areas of focus, in 2006, are improving marketing efficiencies and reduce excess capacity. The company has initiatives to introduce Lagerfeld brands in the US this year. Lagerfeld brand was acquired by the Tommy Hilfiger in 2005, in a move to expand worldwide with an identity of having multi-brands.

The management has made up its mind to project Hilfiger as a specialty store for it will run test stores in different retail formats. These stores are anticipated to become fully operational the second half of this year.

Tommy Hilfiger Corporation's subsidiaries designs, sources, and market for men's and women's sports, jeans, and children's wear. Its brands range consist Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld.