Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
MajorsSep 26, 2017
Kohl’s Will Have a New CEO Next Year
Kevin Mansell is retiring and will be replaced by Chief Merchandising and Customer Officer Michelle Gass.
Michelle Gass, right, will take over as CEO of Kohl’s Corp. next spring, succeeding Kevin Mansell, left, who started with the retailer as a divisional merchandise manager in 1982 and became its CEO in 2008.
Menomonee Falls, Wis.--Off-price department store chain Kohl’s announced Tuesday that President and CEO Kevin Mansell will retire in May 2018 after the company’s annual shareholders meeting.
Chief Merchandising and Customer Officer Michelle Gass will become the retailer’s new CEO, with Chief Operating Officer Sona Chawla stepping into the role of president.
Mansell, 65, has been with Kohl’s for a total of 35 years. He has spent 19 years on the board and almost 10 years as CEO.
Gass, 49, joined Kohl’s in 2013 as chief customer officer, heading the retailer’s marketing and e-commerce business. In 2015, her role expanded to include responsibility for merchandising, planning and product development.
Before she worked at Kohl’s, Gass spent about 17 years at Starbucks overseeing marketing, beverage and food merchandising, and global strategy.
As president, she will maintain her responsibilities for the retailer’s omnichannel operations.
The change in leadership at Kohl’s comes at a time when brick-and-mortar retailers are under immense pressure from online competitors and are struggling to reinvent themselves in the digital age.
Many are closing hundreds of stores while downsizing others, and funneling resources into digital operations while, at the same time, trying to give consumers a reason to come into stores.
Like Kohl’s, many retailers, including jewelry industry giants Signet Jewelers and Tiffany & Co., are making changes at the top.
Ahead of the holiday season, Kohl’s announced that it is partnering with Amazon to open shop-in-shops at 10 of its stores in the Los Angeles and Chicago areas that will sell Amazon “smart” home products, like Amazon Echo and Fire TV.
In the company statement announcing his retirement, Mansell credited Gass with engineering the retailer’s partnership with Amazon.
“The retail industry is going through a transformational amount of change and Michelle is extremely qualified and positioned to lead Kohl’s through this evolution,” he said.
Kohl’s said its board plans to appoint one of its current independent members as chairman when Mansell retires next spring. Gass will be nominated to fill the vacancy created by Mansell’s retirement.
Kohl’s Corp. ranked No. 22 on National Jeweler’s 2016 “$100 Million Supersellers” list, with an estimated $279 million in watch and jewelry sales in 2015.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
