As a deal-seeking shopper always keeping my eye out for a good bargain, I‘ve explored quite a few stores trying to match the sweet savings I can routinely score at my go-to destination, Kohl‘s. From frequently discounted prices across all departments to stellar coupons and rewards incentives, I‘ve saved hundreds over the years on apparel, shoes, home items and more at Kohl‘s for myself and my family.
But a savvy savings guru knows not to put all her eggs in one basket, especially with so many competitors also tempting shoppers with too-good-to-pass up pricing. I‘ve made it my mission over the past decade to uncover all the best Kohl‘s alternatives where I can score steep deals and discounts outside my comfort zone when the urge strikes.
Through countless hours unleashing my inner coupon queen across every budget retailer in town and online, I present my ultimate guide to the top 10 stores like Kohl‘s for shoppers who take their bargain hunting seriously. Peruse each alternative below to discover your own new beloved cheap chic destination.
Overview of Stores Similar to Kohl‘s
Kohl’s built its reputation around value-focused shoppers thanks to rock-bottom pricing in every department scaffolded by stacks of percent-off coupons and loyalty perks. Replicating that sweet spot of discounts and rewards without sacrificing product quality and selection means looking across a spectrum of retail sectors.
In my quest to find stores like Kohl’s, I’ve targeted four major categories that check all the boxes:
Department Stores: One-stop shops with clothing, shoes, beauty, home goods, toys and more at various price points
Discount Retailers: Focus on ultra-low everyday pricing and high markdowns
Clothing Stores: Specialize in apparel and accessories; mix of budget and mid-tier fashion
Online Marketplaces: Massive inventories across endless categories sold directly or via third-party sellers
When evaluating the merits of each Kohl’s alternative, I analyze five major factors against my experiences at Kohl’s itself:
- Pricing & Discounts: Frequency of sales, promo codes and overall savings rates
- Product Range & Brand Mix: Category variety and availability of desired labels
- Shopping Experience: In-store amenities, online convenience, return policies and more
- Rewards Benefits: Loyalty programs with exclusive savings for frequent shoppers
- Quality & Value: Assessments of products‘ construction, durability and cost vs quality
Armed with these criteria top of mind, I shopped ‘til I dropped discovering the best budget-friendly stores like Kohl’s to become equally loyal patrons of over time. Could one even dethrone my long-reigning king of deals? Read on to find out!
Department Store Category Winners
I grouped my top department store picks by key regional chains to ensure options available to bargain shoppers nationwide.
1. JCPenney
With over 650 brick-and-mortar stores across 49 states and an impressive ecommerce presence, the similarly abbreviated JCP gives Kohl’s some serious value competition. As a fellow frequent discounter, JCPenney offers regular storewide promos taking up to 60% or more off merchandise in all categories from apparel to kitchenware to furniture. Loyalty members gain early access to new sales in addition to earning points towards rewards certificates on every transaction.
| Kohl‘s | JCPenney |
|---|---|
| Pricing & Discounts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Product Range & Brand Mix | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shopping Experience | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Rewards Benefits | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Quality & Value | ⭐⭐ |
With JCPenney Deal of the Day alerts conveniently delivered straight to my inbox, I‘ve snapped up everything from Nike yoga pants for 50% off and a KitchenAid stand mixer for 60% off to a queen bed frame for an unbelievable 90% off – now that‘s savings I can get behind! Between stellar sales and coupons continually unleashing deeper discounts, JCPenney goes toe-to-toe with Kohl’s when it comes to irresistible deals.
2. Belk
For Southern bargain hunters, Belk offers big savings in its nearly 300 Southeast department stores and growing online presence. Loyal Belk shoppers praise its Friends & Family sale unveiling fresh percent-off coupons weekly alongside sitewide promotions taking up to 65% off regular prices. Mix in free shipping for loyalty members and the ability to earn $5 reward certificates for every $50 spent, you’ll be scoring major brand name goods for less in no time.
Over the years I‘ve discovered killer deals across Belk’s endless aisles, whether it’s Nike kids shoes for 30% off, a Michael Kors tote for 50% off or a Dyson vacuum for a whopping $200 off. Bottom line – for Southerns devotees, Belk gives Kohl’s solid competition on steep sitewide sales, dollar-off deals and loyalty perks.
3. Meijer
My Midwest folks surely relate to this next Kohl’s alternative – Meijer stands as a one-stop shop for everything from groceries to patio furniture to hoodies and jeans. Beyond its superstore offerings, Meijer‘s clothing departments replicate Kohl’s affordable pricing and wide assortment. Its simplified loyalty program sends mPerks rewards and coupons right to your smartphone every month – I especially love the 5% to 15% off entire purchases coupons.
I’ll admit I initially underestimated Meijer as a fashion destination, but I now count on it for rock-bottom prices on Columbia outerwear, cozy pajamas for the kids and cheap workout gear without sacrificing quality. Combined with the convenience of knocking out all my other errands under one roof, Meijer tops my list for Midwest bargain hunters.
Discount Store Category Winners
When I need prices lower than low, I turn to these no-fuss discount havens doing away with frills and just delivering crazy cheap deals.
4. Target
Call it a department store, call it a discounter – Target talks the talk and walks the walk of both, aligning it closely with Kohl’s competitive pricing. As a Deal Days sale expert breaking out my RedCard for an additional 5% discount, I’ve filled my closet with thresholds tees for $5 each and favorite jeans for 30% off all thanks Target’s Cartwheel deals and clearance markdowns.
Beyond apparel, Target allows me to furnish nearly my entire home in chic decor and kitchen essentials for 20 to 50% less than other big box stores. While not matching Kohl’s blowout 90% off doorbusters, Target‘s prices edge out Kohl‘s for dependable everyday low rates and discounts.
5. TJX Companies – TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Homegoods
This discount trio of stores operate under parent company TJX, delivering thousands of designer home goods and fashion finds at up to 60% off department store prices. At TJ Maxx, savvy shoppers like me dig for treasure such as $400 Free People dresses for $60 and designer denim for 50% off retail.
Its sister store Marshalls also offers ladies, men’s and kids apparel and footwear at 20 to 60% less alongside beauty, accessories and home steals. Venture into HomeGoods for the widest assortment of uber-affordable kitchen gear, furniture, rugs, lighting and more. With new high-end products arriving daily direct from top brands, the TJX family of stores brings thrift-store thrill minus dusty vibes. I often find labels at TJ Maxx and Marshalls that Kohl’s doesn’t carry, making them ideal companions when I need a fashion change of pace.
6. Ollie‘s Bargain Outlet
Channeling a warehouse full of extreme closeouts and inventory overstocks, Ollie‘s makes bargain hunting into a contact sport. But true savings seekers know the best scores come to those willing to dig deepest! My perseverance has paid off hiking home with Ugg boots for $39, a $500 patio set for $199 and a KitchenAid stand mixer for $180.
Between leftover holiday hangovers, summer gear clearance and seasonal transition floor sets, Ollie’s drops new name brand merchandise every week up to 70% less than department store pricing. From Atkins bars to Nerf blasters to Nike apparel, Ollie’s oddball assortment perfectly complements my Kohl’s shopping with prices no other major retailer can touch. My savings stack gets bigger and bigger with this outlet in my back pocket!
Clothing Store Category Winners
Branching beyond the world of departments stores, I found fabulous fashion-focused Kohl’s counterparts helping me express my style on a reasonable budget.
7. Old Navy
As the undisputed budget brand topping every bargain shopper’s list, Old Navy fills my wardrobe with closet staples from graphic tees to jeans to loungewear at wallet-friendly rates. With new arrivals discounted up to 50% off just weeks after launch and extra 40% off sales every other week, I’ve scored $50 jeans for $15 and cashmere sweaters for under $20 thanks to Old Navy’s affordability.
Old Navy loyalty members gain early access to sales and personalized rewards clothing offers throughout the year – last month alone I saved an extra 20% just for being an ON Insider. Compared to Kohl’s heavily promotional model, Old Navy emphasizes lower everyday prices with discounts layered on discounts for devoted clothing hunters like me.
8. American Eagle
Despite its fierce fast fashion competition, American Eagle holds strong thanks to its fiercely loyal following. I proudly rep my AE jean jacket as testimony to their unbeatable Buy One Get One deals that continually restock my closet with trendy dresses and destroyed denim at 50% off. Stack on tiered loyalty perks like free shipping and 15% off coupons and soon I’m saving as much each trip as I would in an entire year at the mall.
While Kohl’s edges out AE ever so slightly on steeper clearance cuts, American Eagle’s cooler juniors assortment and exclusive collabs keeps me coming back. More than just a teen scene retailer, American Eagle offers fabulous fashion finds fitting my mid-30s lifestyle.
9. ASOS
Overseas fast fashion brands like SHEIN and Zaful make headlines for their shockingly cheap clothing costs, but UK-based ASOS manages ultra-low prices with elevated style and transparency. Catering to younger demographics, I rely on ASOS for fashion-forward dresses, loungewear sets and going-out looks costing just $15 to $30.
Unlike opaque foreign fashion sites, ASOS provides clear sizing guidance, detailed fabric descriptions and free online returns to reduce the risks we deal hunters take buying clothing sight unseen. When I find a new favorite brand unavailable on Kohl’s limited shelves, 9 times out of 10 ASOS carries it for less. Sign up for sale alerts and watch your wardrobe expand faster than your waistline!
Online Marketplace Category Winners
Rounding out my list of favorite Kohl’s alternatives are a trio of endless online inventory titans also serving my deal hunting habits.
10. Amazon
The sheer volume across Amazon’s digital aisles means rock-bottom prices in both expected and unexpected places. In my experience, commodity goods like paper towels, diapers and cleaning supplies cost a reliable 5 to 15% below local stores when I activate my Subscribe & Save orders. But far more than just household staples, Amazon houses countless niche merchants ready to offer crazy low pricing I’d never find elsewhere.
I recently stumbled upon luxury silk pillowcases in 20+ colors for just $9 each and wool dryer balls claiming to replace fabric softener for only $7. Browsing randomly led me to save nearly as much as I would finding deals in Target or Kohl’s purposefully! When it comes to everyday low pricing outside of major sales, Amazon often bests other big box names.
11. eBay
Part garage sale, part online outlet mall, eBay serves deals of all flavors from private sellers cleaning house to major brands clearing last season‘s inventory. As a lifelong eBay enthusiast, my pride and joy is my designer handbag collection worth thousands sourced at pennies on the dollar compared to boutique costs. Whether I’m shopping or selling, eBay levels steep discounts on new, used and refurbished goods plus free authentication protecting buyers.
I recently snagged a $140 Free People sweater NWT for just $29 and scored brand new All Clad cookware for 50% off retail. eBay requires more digging than curated discount stores, but smart search tools help buyers find exactly the brands and prices they want. For patient shoppers, eBay rivals Kohl’s when it comes to the widest availability and steepest cuts on big names.
12. Overstock
Originally launched as solely an online liquidator Overstock.com transformed over the years into a thriving home goods hub supported by closeout deals. For killer savings on fine furniture, rugs, mattresses, kitchenware and everything between, Overstock serves up discounts up to 70% off competitors. Their Today’s Deals page never fails to introduce me to major brands like Dyson and TempurPedic available well below list.
During a recent kitchen renovation project I secured gorgeous quartz countertops for 75% off, a premium faucet for 65% off and a high-end range hood for 60% off Overstock’s already affordable list pricing. Compared to Kohl’s lean home assortment, Overstock provides immense discounts on big ticket home products I’d only ever dream of finding on clearance at my go-to department store.
The Final Verdict
I’ll be the first to admit no store perfectly measures up 1:1 against Kohl’s magical mélange of promotions, bargains and loyalty perks forged over decades. But through extensive personal testing my list of the top stores like Kohl’s captures stellar alternatives for bargain shoppers seeking variety and maximum savings across all categories.
When Kohl’s coupons stop cutting it, I turn to these 12 retailers to reinvigorate my deal hunting thrill and fully refresh my wardrobe and home without draining my bank account. I hope my first-hand experiences steer fellow savings addicts towards the best Kohl‘s comparisons guaranteeing the cheapest prices on newest arrivals and clearance closeouts alike!
