"While Kohl's continues to believe in the health and strength of its profitable store base, these specific locations were underperforming stores," the company said. Start the day

Kohl’s said Friday it was closing 27 underperforming stores in 15 states by April _ a fraction of its 1,150 store base _ as the struggling department store aims to boost profitability and improve sagging sales.

Kohl’s is slated to close more than two dozen store locations across the United States. On Jan. 9, the retailer announced a series of “real estate changes” for the new year, including the future of several stores among the more than 1,150 locations nationwide.