Forever 21 Description

You don't have to be over 21 to shop at Forever 21's stores -- you just need your wallet. The company operates about 390 mainly mall-based stores in the US and Canada under the Forever 21, Forever XXI, and For Love 21 and Gadzooks banners. The stores offer cheap and chic fashions and accessories for women and junior girls. Its trendy clothes are priced 2% lower than its competitors. Most of the retailer's apparel is private label and made in Southern California. Forever XXI stores are larger than classic Forever 21 shops and offer men's and women's fashions, as well as lingerie, footwear, cosmetic items, and other accessories. Owner and CEO Don Chang and his wife founded the company as Fashion 21 in 1984.

Kohl's Description

Kohl's wants to be easy on shoppers and tough on competition. The company operates about 825 discount department stores in 45 states. Nearly a third of its stores are in the Midwest, where Kohl's continues to grow while rapidly expanding into other markets. Moderately priced name-brand and private-label apparel, shoes, accessories, and housewares are sold through centrally located cash registers, designed to expedite checkout and keep staff costs down. Kohl's competes with discount and mid-level department stores. Merchandising relationships allow Kohl's to carry top brands (NIKE, Levi's, OshKosh B'Gosh) not typically available to discounters; it sells them cheaper than department stores by controlling costs.