Kohl's at Northlake Mall, Lithonia Closing

DECATUR, GA -- Kohl's stores at Northlake Mall and Lithonia's Mall at Stonecrest are among 18 locations the company announced will be closing by June.

The closings come as Kohl's plans on opening seven smaller format stores in regions around the country, the company said in a news release.

The stores set to close will be shuttered by June 19, Kohl's said.

The closures represent "underperforming stores representing less than one percent of total sales," according to the Wisconsin-based retail department store chain.

It is the nation's second-largest department-store chain, according to sales, behind Macy's.

Part of the decision-making process, Kohl's announced, included the ability to offer every Kohl's employee the opportunity to work at a nearby Kohl's. Or, if they choose, employees may accept what Kohl's called "a competitive severance package."

On average, Kohl's stores employ between 80-100 people.

In metro Atlanta, the nearest Kohl's stores are in Duluth, Roswell, Marietta and Snellville.