Topo Athletic, the performance athletic footwear brand founded by Tony Post, has been acquired by DSW parent Designer Brands.

For Designer Brands, which has made its owned brands growth strategy clear to Wall Street over recent months, the Topo acquisition gives it entry into the premium athletic footwear category. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

For Framingham, MA-based Topo Athletic, Designer Brands brings a deep set of resources that can help the brand grow. Topo was founded in 2012 by its CEO Post, a former SVP for The Rockport Company and CEO of Vibram USA. Post will continue as Topo’s CEO, reporting to Bill Jordan, president of Designer Brands.  

Initial indications are that Topo’s strategy will remain the same going forward. 

“Nothing really changes in our strategy, distribution direction or the management team,” stated Post.  

Topo makes a full line of performance running footwear, along with footwear for hiking and recovery. The brand’s footwear is designed to promote “natural movement” and includes features such as a roomy toe box and a low heel-to-toe drop that encourages a midfoot strike when running. Most of the brand’s footwear retails for between $100-$200.

Designer Brands, which wants to make its own brands one-third of its business by 2026, generated 27 percent of its third quarter revenues from the segment versus 22 percent in the year-ago period and recently introduced the athleisure brand Le Tigre to its mix. The company’s owned brands portfolio, which already includes Crown Vintage, Vince Camuto, Jessica Simpson and Kelly & Katie, accounts for six of its top 50 fashion brands. Sales of own brands rose 25 percent in the third quarter ended Oct. 29.