The Designer Brands-owned retailer DSW, despite experiencing a difficult Q1, was able to grow its own brands penetration to 27 percent of all revenues. Customer demand for casual fare increased in the period with women’s up 7 percent and men’s up 4 percent, but the gains were unable to offset sales declines in dress and seasonal offerings.

The retailer also announced a refreshed partnership with Nike that will enable DSW to carry Swoosh offerings again. DSW will carry Nike product for men, women, and children starting in October. At the same time, the chain is continuing to strengthen its own brand portfolio with the likes of Keds, Topo Athletic, Le Tigre, and a North American license for the Hush Puppies brand.

• Keds, acquired from Wolverine Worldwide, continues to be integrated. In Q1, the brand generated positive year-over-year sales growth as DBI gave the brand a refresh focused on “honoring individual expression through playful optimistic style.”
  

• Topo Athletic is expected to give DSW extended athletic reach in the wholesale, DTC, and international channels.
  

• The Le Tigre heritage brand, set for an August launch, will provide DSW with an opportunity to offer fashion-forward athletic footwear at a reasonable price point.
  

• Hush Puppies, whose Q1 sales increased by 400 percent year-over-year at DSW, will be wholesales by Designer Brands in the U.S. and Canada. The parent will also operate hushpuppies.com.