Kohl’s and Target drew stronger-than-expected store traffic during the early-October promotions that competed with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, offering investors an early look at how value-focused shoppers may approach the holiday season.
Kohl’s produced the largest event-driven increase. Visits during its Oct. 5–8 sale averaged 9. 6% above the chain’s recent same-weekday baseline, while Target’s two-day promotion generated a 2. 1% lift against its recent baseline. Kohl’s traffic rose 4. 5% from the comparable period a year earlier, and Target led the group with a 6% year-over-year increase.
Kohl’s strongest result came after the sale ended. The retailer offered $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent, an additional 25% discount and free shipping on web orders. The figures measure store visits, not sales or transaction totals, so they do not establish whether the traffic produced higher revenue or profit.
Target’s traffic performance came as the retailer shortened its fall event to two days from seven a year earlier. The company’s investor materials describe a strategy centered on style, design, value and an improved guest experience. For both chains, the October data point to shoppers responding to promotions and accessible merchandise, but the next test is whether those visits translate into larger baskets during the holiday quarter.