Kohl’s is one of the largest department store chains in the United States, with over 1,150 stores nationwide serving more than 60 million customers. To become a vendor for Kohl’s, brands must meet strict EDI compliance and routing guide requirements that cover everything from document formatting to shipping and labeling.

If you’re new to Kohl’s, the first step is registering as a supplier through their supplier resources page. Once approved, ShipBob helps you navigate the EDI and fulfillment requirements that come afterward. With automated document exchange, retail-ready fulfillment, and nationwide distribution, ShipBob takes the complexity out of compliance so you can focus on growing your brand.

Become Kohl’s EDI-compliant with ShipBob’s B2B fulfillment suite

Kohl’s expects vendors to meet very specific standards before products ever reach their stores or customers. From sending the right purchase order acknowledgments and invoices to submitting timely Advance Ship Notices (ASNs), Kohl’s requires all partners to follow strict EDI guidelines. 

Even the details matter: cartons must meet maximum weight and dimension limits, heavy boxes need “Team Lift” labels, and every shipment must carry a GS1-128 barcode label in the right spot. Missing or late documents (or mislabeled packages) can lead to costly chargebacks or rejected shipments.

ShipBob makes meeting these requirements simple by handling the technical details and compliance work for you:

• End-to-end EDI coverage: ShipBob supports all of Kohl’s required documents, including POs (850), ASNs (856), inventory updates (846), invoices (810), and more.
• Compliance built in: From label generation to carton configuration, we follow Kohl’s routing guide requirements to keep your brand in good standing.
• Operational efficiency: Our automated systems send the right EDI documents at the right time, so you don’t have to manage manual uploads or risk delays.
• Scalable fulfillment: With a nationwide network of fulfillment centers, we can distribute your products closer to Kohl’s DCs or directly to customers, helping you grow while staying compliant.

EDI versions supported by ShipBob

ShipBob makes it easy to stay compliant, whether you’re shipping in bulk to Kohl’s distribution centers or fulfilling orders through other retail partners. Our infrastructure and EDI integrations support both retail distribution and retail dropshipping, giving your brand the flexibility to grow in whichever model is required.

Retail distribution

Planning to stock products in Kohl’s stores or distribution centers? ShipBob’s retail distribution solution manages routing guides, shipping requirements, and compliance workflows, so every order moves seamlessly.

Retail dropshipping

In addition to retail distribution, ShipBob also supports retail dropshipping programs with other major retailers. We store your inventory across our nationwide network of fulfillment centers, process orders placed through participating retail channels, and ship them directly to customers.

Connect your business with more leading retailers

In addition to Kohl’s, ShipBob helps brands fulfill EDI orders for many top retailers, including:

• Macy’s
• Belk
• Dillard’s
• Bloomingdale’s
• Boscov’s
• Lord & Taylor
• Von Maur
• Neiman Marcus
• Saks Off Fifth
• Nordstrom

ShipBob’s direct EDI integrations make it easy to expand into new retail channels quickly, whether you’re targeting department stores, off-price retailers, or big-box partners. See our full list of approved retailers here.

Manage Kohl’s order fulfillment with ShipBob

ShipBob is more than just an EDI provider; we’re a complete omnichannel fulfillment solution designed to help brands stay compliant and scale across retail and DTC channels. While EDI compliance is critical for selling through Kohl’s, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. ShipBob equips you with the infrastructure, technology, and scalability to manage both your retail partnerships and your direct-to-consumer business from one platform.

Fulfill from a global network

Ship orders from a nationwide and international network of fulfillment centers, strategically located to reduce costs and speed up delivery to customers and retail partners.

Allocate inventory intelligently

Take advantage of ShipBob’s Inventory Placement Program (IPP) to automatically distribute and manage inventory across our fulfillment network. By placing stock closer to demand, you can lower shipping costs, speed up delivery times, and avoid costly stockouts or overstocks.

Gain real-time visibility

Track inventory and orders in real time across every sales channel in one dashboard, with powerful analytics to help you forecast demand and optimize your supply chain.

Deliver a consistent brand experience

Customize your packaging and unboxing experience with branded boxes, inserts, and marketing materials, ensuring your brand stands out even when fulfilling through Kohl’s.

Simplify reverse logistics

Handle returns and exchanges in the same platform that manages fulfillment, keeping you compliant with retail requirements while delivering a smooth customer experience.

Kohl’s EDI Documentation

Here are some of the most important Kohl’s EDI documents vendors will need to work with:

• Kohl’s EDI 850: Purchase Order
• Kohl’s EDI 855: Purchase Order Acknowledgment
• Kohl’s EDI 860: Purchase Order Change
• Kohl’s EDI 856: Advance Ship Notice
• Kohl’s EDI 846: Inventory Inquiry/Advice
• Additional documents: 850R, 852, 864, 870, 997

Kohl’s EDI fulfillment FAQs