Designer Brands, the parent of DSW, announced that the company will eliminate over 1,000 positions, including about 380 corporate staff and 700 store roles, according to a memo from CEO Roger Rawlins.
The company also owns the Camuto Group.
Designer Brands said many of the positions that are being eliminated were vacant. However, around 250 corporate and 100 store associates are exiting the company, while 550 store associates are being given the option of a different position or they may choose to leave.
The company also announced a reorganization that would require more warehouse roles and fewer sales floor positions. Designer Brands is moving to further integrate the Camuto Group into the larger organization and will close its Sole Society brand.
Rawlins said about the restructuring, “We are making some structural changes to our business. Last week, we announced changes to DSW’s field and store teams. We are also adjusting the store management team for greater effectiveness based on the way the business is operating in a COVID-19 environment, with more back-of-house “warehouse” roles and fewer sales floor roles.
“We are taking this opportunity to further integrate the Camuto Group organization into the larger Designer Brands organization and focus our attention on fewer Camuto-produced brands. In addition, last week we shared with the Sole Society team that we are closing this business. There will be a limited impact to DBI Canada.
“We want to continue evolving the Designer Brands infrastructure into one where world-class product design and sourcing are fully supported by our own industry-leading retail and consumer expertise and experience.”
The full message is here.
