Kohl’s closes 27 stores

(CNN)– Kohl’s is closing 27 stores across more than a dozen states as it looks to improve profitability.

The closures are expected to be completed by April.

They are a small fraction of the struggling retailer’s more than 11 hundred stores and were listed as “underperforming”.

The move is one of the last decisions by outgoing CEO Tom Kingsbury, who is stepping down on Wednesday.

He is being replaced next week by Ashley Buchanan, chief executive of arts and crafts chain Michaels.