The news broke on May 1, 2025, when Kohl’s Corporation officially terminated CEO Ashley Buchanan for cause. A rising retail leader known for his digital-first vision, Buchanan was once celebrated as the man who could reinvent Kohl’s.
But now, he’s the center of a scandal that’s shaking Wall Street, disrupting vendor contracts, and opening new doors for bold investors.
According to an official press release from Kohl’s and reports by CNN Business and Yahoo Finance, Ashley Buchanan was fired following an internal investigation that uncovered serious ethical breaches.
🔍 Key Issue: Buchanan allegedly influenced vendor transactions involving undisclosed personal conflicts of interest, violating Kohl’s vendor and compliance policies.
These undisclosed ties raised concerns over preferential treatment and governance failure, leading to a swift and public dismissal by the board.
When Ashley Buchanan joined Kohl’s as CEO, his compensation package was one of the most generous in retail:
Even with this high salary, Buchanan’s tenure ended before the company’s digital strategy could fully materialize.
As of 2025, Ashley Buchanan’s estimated net worth is between $25 million and $40 million, accumulated through:
Public records about Ashley Buchanan’s personal life remain limited. He is known to keep a low profile when it comes to family.
This level of privacy is common among top-tier executives.
Following Buchanan’s exit, Michael Bender, Kohl’s Board Chair and longtime board member, was appointed as Interim CEO.
While exact vendor names have not been publicly released, internal sources indicate Buchanan:
This has opened up a deeper audit of Kohl’s vendor ecosystem and future supply chain strategy.
The market reacted immediately. Kohl’s stock rose 6.7% on the day Buchanan was fired.
If you’re a retail investor or long-term stockholder, this may be a strategic entry point into Kohl’s.
Q1. Why was Ashley Buchanan fired from Kohl’s?
➡️ He was fired for directing vendor contracts that had undisclosed personal conflicts of interest.
Q2. What was Ashley Buchanan’s salary at Kohl’s?
➡️ Over $20 million in total compensation, including a $1.475 million base salary and stock awards.
Q3. Who is replacing Ashley Buchanan as CEO?
➡️ Michael Bender is currently serving as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent leader.
Q4. What is Ashley Buchanan’s net worth in 2025?
➡️ Estimated between $25 million to $40 million.
Q5. Does Ashley Buchanan have a wife or kids?
➡️ He is known to keep his personal life private; no public details are available.
Q6. What vendors were involved in the scandal?
➡️ Kohl’s has not disclosed vendor names, but the transactions were tied to conflict-of-interest violations.
Q7. Is this a good time to invest in Kohl’s?
➡️ With a leadership change and a rising stock, analysts see a potential turnaround opportunity.
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