As a seasoned retail analyst and notorious bargain hunter, I‘ve spent countless hours studying the pricing strategies of top retailers and searching for the best deals. When it comes to department stores, Kohl‘s has long been a favorite among savvy shoppers thanks to their competitive prices, frequent sales, and generous rewards program. But one lesser-known weapon in the Kohl‘s savings arsenal is their price match policy.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll be diving deep into the nuts and bolts of Kohl‘s price matching and sharing my expert insights on how to maximize your savings. Plus, I‘ll analyze how price matching fits into Kohl‘s broader pricing strategy and compare their policy to other leading retailers. Armed with this knowledge, you‘ll be able to shop smarter and save more every time you set foot in a Kohl‘s store.
The Basics of Kohl‘s Price Match Policy
Let‘s start with the fundamentals. Kohl‘s offers price matching both in-store and online, with slightly different guidelines for each.
In-Store Price Matching
To request a price match in a Kohl‘s store, simply bring in a competitor‘s current ad showing the identical item at a lower price. The ad can be either printed or digital (i.e. show it on your smartphone). Kohl‘s will then verify the price and match it on the spot.
It‘s important to note that the competitor‘s ad must be local, meaning from a brick-and-mortar store in your market area. Kohl‘s won‘t match prices from stores in other regions.
Online Price Matching
For online price matching, Kohl‘s makes an exception to their local competitor rule. They will match prices from select major online retailers, most notably Amazon (more on that later). If you find a lower price online, you can either call Kohl‘s Customer Service at 1-855-564-5705 or click the "Live Chat" button on Kohls.com to request a price match. You‘ll need to provide the URL showing the lower price.
Kohl‘s will also price match Kohls.com prices in-store, and vice versa. So if you see a lower price on the Kohl‘s website or app, just show it to the cashier or Customer Service desk to have the price adjusted.
The Fine Print: Restrictions and Exclusions
Of course, no price match policy is without some fine print. Here are the key restrictions and exclusions to keep in mind:
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Kohl‘s won‘t price match clearance prices, flash sales, or special promotions like "Buy One, Get One" deals. The price match only applies to the regular retail price.
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Certain categories are excluded from price matching, including electronics, cosmetics, fragrance, consumables, and others. Check Kohls.com for the full list of exclusions, which can change over time.
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Price matches are limited to one identical item per customer.
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Kohl‘s reserves the right to refuse a price match if they can‘t verify the competitor price or if they suspect fraud.
While the exclusions list looks lengthy, the reality is that the vast majority of items at Kohl‘s are eligible for price matching. In my experience, I‘ve rarely run into a scenario where I couldn‘t get Kohl‘s to match a competitor price as long as I followed the guidelines.
Amazon: The Big Exception
Arguably the most valuable aspect of Kohl‘s price match policy is that they will match prices from Amazon.com. Given Amazon‘s dominance in e-commerce and their ultra-competitive pricing, this is a huge win for consumers.
There are a few caveats, however. Kohl‘s will only match prices for items sold and shipped directly by Amazon, not prices from third-party marketplace sellers. They also won‘t match Amazon‘s "Lightning Deals" or other time-sensitive promotions.
Still, Amazon price matching opens up a world of savings possibilities. I make it a habit to quickly check Amazon prices using my phone while shopping in Kohl‘s stores. More often than not, I find an item cheaper on Amazon. A quick stop at the Customer Service desk later, and I‘ve saved myself a nice chunk of change.
Proof Positive: Real-World Savings
Just how much can you save by taking advantage of Kohl‘s price match policy? Let‘s crunch some numbers.
According to a 2020 survey by deal site Savings.com, the average consumer saves $59 per year by price matching. For avid Kohl‘s shoppers like myself, I‘d wager the savings are even higher.
In my personal experience, I consistently save between 10-30% on my Kohl‘s purchases by price matching, especially on bigger ticket items. For example, I recently bought a KitchenAid stand mixer at Kohl‘s. The shelf price was $429.99, but I found the same model on Amazon for $379.99. Kohl‘s happily matched the price, and I walked out with an extra $50 in my pocket.
Multiply those savings across multiple purchases throughout the year, and it really adds up. In 2019 alone, I estimate I saved upwards of $250 by diligently price matching at Kohl‘s. Talk about a no-brainer!
The Psychology of Price Matching
Beyond just the dollars and cents, price matching plays an important role in the consumer psyche. In today‘s hyper-competitive retail landscape, shoppers have more options than ever to find the best price. Retailers like Kohl‘s understand that they need to meet consumers where they are in order to stay relevant.
By offering a comprehensive price match policy, Kohl‘s is essentially saying "you can trust us to have the lowest prices." This builds confidence and loyalty among shoppers, reducing the need to shop around or constantly compare prices.
Price matching also taps into the psychological principle of loss aversion. Studies have shown that people feel the pain of losing money more intensely than the joy of gaining it. By ensuring you‘re getting the lowest possible price, price matching removes the fear of missing out on a better deal somewhere else.
Kohl‘s Pricing Strategy: The Big Picture
Price matching is just one piece of Kohl‘s larger pricing and promotional strategy. Over the years, Kohl‘s has cultivated a reputation for offering frequent sales, discounts, and member perks. It‘s not uncommon to see 30%, 40%, even 50% off sales advertised on a weekly basis.
Kohl‘s also incentivizes shoppers with their popular Kohl‘s Cash program. During certain promotion periods, customers earn $10 in Kohl‘s Cash for every $50 spent, which can be redeemed on future purchases. In essence, it‘s like getting paid to shop.
On the surface, this high-low pricing approach may seem at odds with price matching. After all, why would Kohl‘s market themselves as a discount destination if they‘re just going to match competitors‘ prices anyway?
The key is that Kohl‘s uses price matching as a complement to, not a replacement for, their sales and promotions. By offering the best of both worlds – a guarantee of the lowest prices AND exclusive deals for loyalty members – Kohl‘s aims to be a one-stop shop for savings.
In fact, savvy shoppers can really clean up by stacking price matching on top of Kohl‘s sales and Kohl‘s Cash. Let‘s say you buy a $100 item that‘s 20% off during a Kohl‘s sale. If you find that same item for $70 on Amazon, Kohl‘s will match the $70 price, THEN apply the 20% discount, bringing your final price down to just $56. On top of that, you‘d earn $10 in Kohl‘s Cash for a future purchase. It‘s a savings triple-threat!
Competitors‘ Price Match Policies: How Kohl‘s Stacks Up
Of course, Kohl‘s isn‘t the only department store offering price matching these days. Here‘s a quick look at how Kohl‘s policy compares to some of its chief competitors:
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Macy‘s: Macy‘s policy is more limited than Kohl‘s. They will only match prices from select competitors‘ websites, not in-store prices. Macy‘s also won‘t match prices from their own website.
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JCPenney: JCPenney offers price matching both in-store and online. However, they exclude a much longer list of brands and categories than Kohl‘s. JCPenney also requires customers to bring a printed ad as proof of a lower price (digital ads aren‘t accepted).
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Nordstrom: Nordstrom offers price matching on identical items from select competitors. However, their focus is more on luxury brands and high-end designers, while Kohl‘s caters to a broader, more budget-conscious customer base.
Among these peers, Kohl‘s price match policy stands out for its relative simplicity, wide category coverage, and seamless integration with their other discount offerings. While every policy has its pros and cons, I believe Kohl‘s strikes the best overall balance between comprehensiveness and ease of use.
Insider Tips for Price Matching at Kohl‘s
As a veteran Kohl‘s shopper, I‘ve picked up a few insider tips for getting the most mileage out of their price match policy:
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Always do a quick online search for lower prices before heading to the checkout at Kohl‘s. It only takes a minute and could save you big bucks.
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Take advantage of Kohl‘s price matching within 14 days of your purchase. If an item goes on sale or you find it cheaper elsewhere shortly after buying it, you can still get the difference refunded.
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Don‘t forget about local competitors! While Amazon is often the go-to for price matching, it pays to check prices at other department stores in your area too.
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If you‘re price matching an online price, opt for in-store pickup when possible. This allows you to inspect the item before committing to the purchase and avoid shipping fees.
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Stack price matching with Kohl‘s sales, coupons, and Kohl‘s Cash for maximum savings. There‘s nothing quite like the rush of a haul where everything‘s a bargain.
The Future of Price Matching in Retail
Looking ahead, I believe price matching will only become more prevalent and sophisticated as retailers battle for market share. With the rise of mobile commerce and real-time price comparison tools, it‘s easier than ever for consumers to find the lowest price on anything, anywhere.
I predict we‘ll see more retailers adopting price matching as a defensive strategy to prevent showrooming (when customers browse in-store but buy online for cheaper). We may also see a shift toward automated and real-time price matching, rather than relying on customers to initiate the process.
At the same time, retailers will need to find ways to differentiate beyond just price. Exclusive merchandise, personalized experiences, and convenient services (like Kohl‘s in-store Amazon returns) will become key loyalty drivers.
Through it all, I expect Kohl‘s to remain at the forefront of price matching and promotional innovation. They‘ve shown a consistent willingness to adapt to changing consumer expectations while staying true to their brand promise of value.
Conclusion
When wielded wisely, Kohl‘s price match policy can be a powerful tool for savvy shoppers to save money without sacrificing quality or convenience. By understanding the policy‘s nuts and bolts and using it in tandem with Kohl‘s other deals, customers can maximize their savings haul.
But beyond the individual benefits, price matching reflects a larger shift in the retail landscape toward transparency, flexibility, and customer-centricity. As a retail analyst, I‘m excited to see how Kohl‘s and its competitors continue to innovate on pricing and promotions in the years ahead.
The key takeaway for shoppers is this: You have more power than ever to get the best possible price. With a little bit of research and strategic shopping, you can make your hard-earned dollars go further at Kohl‘s and beyond.
So next time you‘re browsing the aisles at Kohl‘s, remember to check for lower prices online or at competitors. Your wallet (and inner bargain hunter) will thank you.
