Kohl's may hire 1,000 as it expands stores into South Florida

Jun 27, 2008 (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KSS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Kohl's is expanding in South Florida in a push that could eventually lead to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, giving some job seekers hope in an otherwise distressed economy.

The Wisconsin-based retailer, which in April made its South Florida debut in Boynton Beach, is hiring to fill full-time jobs at several new Broward and Palm Beach County stores slated for fall openings.

The retailer, whose appeal is to cost-conscious consumers, is advertising for jobs in Coconut Creek, Hollywood and Miramar in Broward County and Lake Park in Palm Beach County.

In Miami-Dade County, stores are planned in Kendall, Hialeah and Homestead.

Spokeswoman Elizabeth DeLuca said Kohl's typically opens all its new stores on the same day. She would not confirm an additional location in Plantation, where a site plan has been approved for a Kohl's at the Fountains Shoppes of Distinction, according to the Plantation city clerk.

DeLuca did not reveal the number of workers each store will employ. But if it equals the 150 full- and part-timers Kohl's hired for the Boynton Beach store, the seven new South Florida locations would create 1,050 jobs.

The prospect of new Kohl's jobs comes as Broward County's jobless rate jumped to 4.8 percent in May, up 1.6 points from a year earlier, and Palm Beach County's climbed to 5.4 percent, up 1.7 points. Together, the two counties had 3,800 fewer retail jobs in May than a year ago.

Kohl's wouldn't say what its jobs pay, but Florida data show that retail trade salespeople in Broward and Palm Beach counties make $8.17 an hour for entry level work and up to $18.17 per hour for those with experience. First line supervisors make between $14 to $28.20 an hour.

Retailers "are huge employers and that's good in this economy," said Cynthia Cohen of retail consultant Strategic Mindshare in Miami, adding that they hire workers from entry level to senior positions. "It's a labor-intensive industry."

While a down economy may not seem the best time for an expanding retailer, it does create opportunities, she said.

"Retailers have to be long-term players, even though the stock market views them in a short-term way," she said. "When you're buying real estate, you have to get it when the getting is good. Opening stores and getting construction done today is better than three years ago."

Kohl's packed in shoppers on its first day in Boynton Beach. Many knew the retailer from TV ads that aired for at least a year in South Florida before actual locations were announced. Kohl's features exclusive lines including Simply Vera by Vera Wang, ELLE, Chaps and Food Network, plus national brands such as Levi's, Carters and Cuisinart.

The Web site, kohlscareers.com, displayed a spectrum of full-time openings Thursday, starting with the top spots of store managers and assistant store managers.

Other jobs listed at all the South Florida stores were: area supervisors, cosmetic sales specialists, customer service supervisors, department sales supervisors, jewelry sales specialists, loss prevention supervisors and shoe sales specialists.

Part-time jobs have not yet been posted.

In addition to the Web site, job seekers can call Kohl's jobs hot line at 877-639-5645.

As of early May, Kohl's had 957 stores in 47 states and expected to open 47 more by year's end.

Margie Plunkett can be reached at mplunkett@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4663.

Kohl's stores in South Florida slated to open in the fall:

Broward County

Coconut Creek

Hollywood

Miramar

Palm Beach County

Lake Park

For more information on jobs, go to www.kohlscareers.com or call 1-877-639-5645.

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