Designer Brands eyes $4 billion revenue by 2027

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 11, 2022

Designer Brands Inc. (DBI) announced on Friday new financial targets for the fiscal year 2026, as the U.S. company aims for revenue of $4 billion in the next five years, on the back of the doubling of its owned brand sales.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company said at its investor day on Friday that it forecasts revenues to reach $4 billion for the ​fiscal year ending January 30, 2027, with growth driven by doubling its owned brand sales, from 19% of the company's total revenue to nearly one-third, with most of that business happening within its own direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. 

The company said that the sales growth is expected to be highly margin accretive and is expected to drive operating margin higher over the longer-term, adding it expects to clock a gross profit margin of 35% over the next five years, with an operating margin of 9% improving over 200 basis points.

Meanwhile, earnings per share for fiscal 2026 are expected to be in the range of $2.75 to $2.85 per share.

"Our owned brands are the key driver of growth over the next five years, and we plan to double sales of these brands by fiscal 2026," said Roger Rawlins, CEO, Designer Brands.

"This growth is complemented by maintaining our relationships with top National Brand partners who utilize our leading omni-channel capabilities in their own DTC efforts in ways unique to DBI. In addition to our updated and differentiated assortment, we are expanding upon our already dominant sourcing and supply chain capabilities, leading to quicker speed to market with new designs and faster delivery times. Designer Brands' mission to inspire self-expression is supported by our integrated organization, and this will meaningfully grow shareholder value over the long-term."

The company also updated its earnings guidance for 2022, with earnings per share now expected to be in the range of $1.80 to $1.90. 

Designer Brands owns and operates footwear chains DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse.