Designer Brands Names New CEO

Footwear retailer Designer Brands Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) has unveiled a CEO transition process that calls for Doug Howe, President of its DSW unit, to succeed Roger Rawlins this April 1. Rawlins will then continue to work with the company for a 12-month period in a strategic advisor role to facilitate the leadership transition, the designer, producer and retailer of footwear and accessories said.

“I am focused on continuing to execute on the long-range plan the team laid out at our 2022 Investor Day to double the sales of our owned brands and maintain the sales of our national brands, all while delivering with incredible speed and quality,” says Howe.

Howe joined the company in May 2022, after four years as Chief Merchandising Officer at Kohl’s, and before that, he was the Global Chief Merchandising Officer at Qurate Retail Group. His career also includes stints at Gap Inc., Walmart and May Department Stores.

The company Howe will lead has nearly 650 stores across the U.S. and Canada, operating under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and The Shoe Company banners.