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Leadership changes ahead as warm winter impacts Designer Brands

20/12/2023
Leadership changes ahead as warm winter impacts Designer Brands

Unseasonably warm winter weather in the US reduced customer demand for shoes in the third quarter, according to Doug Howe, CEO of footwear retailer Designer Brands.

It reported 9% lower revenues for the three months to $786.3 million compared with the same period last year.

He said: “We saw improved performance in casual and clearance categories this quarter, but this was not enough to offset the broader lack of demand. 

“While macro pressures notably impacted our business, we clearly recognize the need to operate with even greater speed and increase the level of innovation, newness, and fashion into our assortments, returning to our roots as a merchant organization and a fashion footwear retailer."

He added refreshment of the assortment, including new specialty sizes, and new marketing initiatives are tools it is using to reverse the decline.

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