DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), f.k.a. Designer Shoe Warehouse, is a speciality branded footwear retailer, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

 

History

DSW opened its first store in July 1991 in Dublin, Ohio. In 1998, Value City Department Stores, Inc. purchased DSW. In December 2004, Retail Ventures, Inc. consolidated several of the newly-defunct Value City's subsidiary brands. Until July 5, 2005, DSW operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc.; afterward, Retail Ventures retained 60% of DSW, Inc.'s outstanding shares.

 

DSW Shoes, Green Oak Village Place in Brighton, Michigan

Months prior to the initial public offering (IPO), DSW changed its name from Shonac Corporation, to DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), Incorporated.

 

In 2005, DSW experienced massive data theft, resulting in the loss of 1.4 million credit card transactions and an unknown amount of customer data.

In 2006, the IT departments of Retail Ventures and DSW were split-off into a separate company (Brand Technology Services, LLC) (BTS).

 

In early 2008, DSW launched its e-commerce website.

 

The Audrey Brooke, Kelly & Katie, Lulu Townsend, and Poppie Jones-branded shoes and purses sold by DSW, are actually private-label brands created by DSW.

DSW announced its merger with Retail Ventures in February 2011.