DBI

EX-99.1

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EX-99.1

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Exhibit 99.1

Designer Brands Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Strong momentum continued with first quarter net sales growth meeting and adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") exceeding expectations

Gross margin expansion of 240 basis points

Anticipates full year 2026 EPS trending toward the high end of guidance range

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 9, 2026 - Designer Brands Inc. (NYSE: DBI) (the "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "Designer Brands"), one of the world's largest designers, producers, and retailers of footwear and accessories, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended May 2, 2026.

"Our strong start to the year was underscored by double-digit sales growth in our Brand Portfolio segment and encouraging stabilization in our Retail segment," said Doug Howe, Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to top-line strength, we delivered meaningful profitability gains, with gross margin expanding 240 basis points, reflecting the structural improvements we have made across inventory management, pricing discipline, sourcing, and channel profitability."

Howe continued, "Following our encouraging start to the year, we believe in our ability to achieve the high end of our fiscal 2026 EPS guidance range, even amidst ongoing uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment. We believe our strategic actions will continue to strengthen our foundation of the business and position us well for long-term profitable growth."

First Quarter Operating Results (Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are to the first quarter of 2025)

•Net sales increased 1.4% to $696.4 million.

•Total comparable sales decreased by 1.1%.

•Gross profit increased to $315.3 million versus $294.5 million last year, and gross margin was 45.3% compared to 42.9% last year.

•Reported net income attributable to Designer Brands Inc. was $1.2 million, or diluted EPS of $0.02.

•Adjusted net income was $3.8 million, or adjusted diluted EPS of $0.07.

Liquidity

•Cash and cash equivalents totaled $50.1 million at the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to $46.0 million at the end of the same period last year, with $138.5 million available for borrowings under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility. Debt totaled $475.3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2026 compared to $522.9 million at the end of the same period last year.

•The Company ended the first quarter of 2026 with inventories of $586.6 million compared to $623.6 million at the end of the same period last year.

Store Count

(square footage in thousands)May 2, 2026May 3, 2025

Number of StoresSquare FootageNumber of StoresSquare Footage

DSW stores518 10,150 520 10,237

The Shoe Co. stores118 599 121 620

Rubino stores27 140 28 149

Total number of stores663 10,889 669 11,006

2026 Financial Outlook

The Company is reaffirming the following guidance for the full year 2026:

Metric 2026 Guidance

Designer Brands Change in Net SalesDown 1% to Up 1%

Diluted Earnings per Share$0.28 - $0.38

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company is hosting a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-888-317-6003, or the international dial-in, 1-412-317-6061, and reference conference ID number 6930887 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the following link, as well as through the Company's investor website at investors.designerbrands.com:

https://app.webinar.net/704rZBvZkGJ

For those unable to listen to the live webcast, an archived version will be available on the Company's investor website until June 23, 2026. A replay of the teleconference will be available by dialing the following numbers:

North America: 1-855-669-9658

International: 1-412-317-0088

Passcode: 7496602

Important information may be disseminated initially or exclusively via the Company’s investor website; investors should consult the website to access this information.

About Designer Brands

Designer Brands is one of the world's largest designers, producers, and retailers of the most recognizable footwear brands and accessories, transforming and defining the footwear industry through a mission of being shoe obsessed. With a diversified, world-class portfolio of coveted brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage and others, Designer Brands designs and produces on-trend footwear and accessories for all of life's occasions delivered to the consumer through a robust direct-to-consumer omni-channel infrastructure and powerful national wholesale distribution. Powered by a billion-dollar digital commerce business across multiple domains and over 660 DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Co., and Rubino stores in North America, De

EX-99.1

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EX-99.1

Document

Exhibit 99.1

Designer Brands Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

Third consecutive quarter of improved top line rate of change in comparable sales and net sales

Fourth quarter consolidated gross margin increased 280 basis points year-over-year

Full year adjusted operating income significantly above high end of guidance

2026 guidance reflects meaningful growth in profitability

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 26, 2026 - Designer Brands Inc. (NYSE: DBI) (the "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "Designer Brands"), one of the world's largest designers, producers, and retailers of footwear and accessories, today announced financial results for the three months and year ended January 31, 2026.

"Our fourth quarter and fiscal 2025 results reflect disciplined execution as we strengthened the business and delivered sequential improvement across key financial metrics throughout the year," said Doug Howe, Chief Executive Officer. "We ended the year with fourth quarter net sales flat year-over-year and impressive gross margin expansion, driving full year adjusted operating income that significantly surpassed the high end of our guidance. As we enter fiscal 2026, we remain focused on our strategic priorities, executing the initiatives within our control, and building on the momentum we've established. We believe this focus will drive continued improvement in both sales and profitability over the long-term."

Fourth Quarter Operating Results (Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are to the fourth quarter of 2024)

•Net sales were $713.6 million, flat to last year.

•Total comparable sales decreased by 1.9%.

•Gross profit increased to $302.7 million versus $282.6 million last year, and gross margin was 42.4% compared to 39.6% last year.

•Reported net loss attributable to Designer Brands Inc. was $20.0 million, or loss per diluted share of $0.40.

•Adjusted net loss was $15.6 million, or $0.31 loss per diluted share.

Full Year Operating Results (Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are to full year 2024)

•Net sales decreased 3.9% to $2.9 billion.

•Total comparable sales decreased by 4.3%.

•Gross profit decreased to $1.26 billion versus $1.29 billion last year, and gross margin was 43.6% compared to 42.7% last year.

•Reported net loss attributable to Designer Brands Inc. was $8.4 million, or loss per diluted share of $0.17.

•Adjusted net income was $8.3 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.16.

Liquidity

•Cash and cash equivalents totaled $50.9 million at the end of 2025, compared to $44.8 million at the end of 2024, with $101.1 million available for borrowings under our senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility.

•Debt totaled $435.0 million at the end of 2025, compared to $491.0 million at the end of 2024.

•Inventories totaled $563.5 million at the end of 2025, compared to $599.8 million at the end of 2024.

Return to Shareholders

A dividend of $0.05 per share of Class A and Class B common shares will be paid on April 10, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 26, 2026.

Store Count

(square footage in thousands)January 31, 2026February 1, 2025

Number of StoresSquare FootageNumber of StoresSquare Footage

DSW stores519 10,177 520 10,252

The Shoe Co. stores118 598 121 623

Rubino stores28 147 28 149

Total number of stores665 10,922 669 11,024

2026 Financial Outlook

The Company has announced the following guidance for the full year 2026:

Metric 2026 Guidance

Designer Brands Change in Net SalesDown 1% to Up 1%

Effective tax rate40%

Diluted Earnings per Share$0.28 - $0.38

Weighted average diluted shares58 million

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company is hosting a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 1-888-317-6003, or the international dial in, 1-412-317-6061, and reference conference ID number 7219648 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the following link, as well as through the Company's investor website at investors.designerbrands.com:

https://app.webinar.net/3zpg2dvElJL

For those unable to listen to the live webcast, an archived version will be available at the same location until April 9, 2026. A replay of the teleconference will be available by dialing the following numbers:

North America: 1-855-669-9658

International: 1-412-317-0088

Passcode: 3859679

Important information may be disseminated initially or exclusively via the Company’s investor website; investors should consult the site to access this information.

About Designer Brands

Designer Brands is one of the world's largest designers, producers, and retailers of the most recognizable footwear brands and accessories, transforming and defining the footwear industry through a

dbi-202512090001319947false00013199472025-12-092025-12-09

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 9, 2025 Designer Brands Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio 001-32545 31-0746639 (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

810 DSW Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (614) 237-7100

N/A (Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered Class A Common Shares, without par valueDBINew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On December 9, 2025, Designer Brands Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended November 1, 2025. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to General Instruction B.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of such section. Furthermore, the information in this Item 2.02 shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number Description 99.1 Press Release of Designer Brands Inc., dated December 9, 2025.

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

Signature Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Designer Brands Inc. By:/s/ Lisa M. Yerrace Lisa M. Yerrace Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Date:December 9, 2025