Designer Brands Inc. 10-K

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective. MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for us (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control system as of January 31, 2026. In making its assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting as of January 31, 2026. Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34 ), our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report covering our internal control over financial reporting, as stated in its report which is included herein. CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING No change was made in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION During the three months ended January 31, 2026, none of our directors or executive officers adopted, modified, or terminated any contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of the Company's securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K). ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS Not applicable. 63 Table of contents PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The applicable information contained under the captions " INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS ," " PROPOSAL 1- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS ," and " OTHER DIRECTOR INFORMATION, BOARD COMMITTEES, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION " in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act (the "Proxy Statement"), is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The applicable information contained under the captions " REPORT OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ," " OTHER DIRECTOR INFORMATION, BOARD COMMITTEES, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION ," " COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS " and " COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS " and the related tabular disclosure under " COMPENSATION TABLES ," and " FISCAL 2025 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION " in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption " REPORT OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE " shall be deemed furnished, and not filed, in this Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The applicable information contained under the caption " SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT " in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The applicable information contained under the captions " CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS " and " OTHER DIRECTOR INFORMATION, BOARD COMMITTEES, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION " in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES The applicable information contained under the caption " AUDIT AND OTHER SERVICE FEES " in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K: (1) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K: • Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm • Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 31, 2026, February 1, 2025, and February 3, 2024 • Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended January 31, 2026, February 1, 2025, and February 3, 2024 • Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2026 and February 1, 2025 64 Table of contents • Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended January 31, 2026, February 1, 2025, and February 3, 2024 • Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 31, 2026, February 1, 2025, and February 3, 2024 • Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (2) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES Schedules not filed are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto. (3) and (b) EXHIBITS Incorporated by Reference Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit Number 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 8, 2011, among DSW Inc., DSW MS LLC, and Retail Ventures, Inc. 8-K/A 001-32545 2/25/2011 2.1 2.2 Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 10, 2018, among DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., ABG-Camuto, LLC, Camuto Group LLC, Camuto Consulting, Inc., Camuto Owners (as defined therein), Clear Thinking Group LLC, in the person of Stuart H. Kessler, solely in its capacity as Sellers' Representative (as defined therein) and Buyer Parents (as defined therein), solely with respect to the Parent Specified Sections. 8-K 001-32545 10/11/2018 2.1 2.2.1 Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 10, 2018, among DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., ABG-Camuto, LLC, Camuto Group LLC, Camuto Consulting, Inc., Camuto Owners (as defined therein), Clear Thinking Group LLC, in the person of Stuart H. Kessler, solely in its capacity as Sellers' Representative (as defined therein) and Buyer Parents (as defined therein), solely with respect to the Parent Specified Sections. 10-K 001-32545 03/26/2019 2.4.1 2.2.2 Side Letter to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 31, 2019, among DSW Shoe Warehouse, Inc., ABG-Camuto, LLC, Camuto Group LLC, Camuto Consulting, Inc., Camuto Owners (as defined therein), Clear Thinking Group LLC, in the person of Stuart H. Kessler, solely in its capacity as Sellers' Representative (as defined therein) and Buyer Parents (as defined therein), solely with respect to the Parent Specified Sections. 10-K 001-32545 03/26/2019 2.4.2 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Designer Brands Inc. dated March 19, 2019. 10-K 001-32545 03/26/2019 3.1 3.2 Amended and Restated Code of Regulations. 10-K 001-32545 04/13/2006 3.2 4.1 Specimen Class A Common Shares Certificate. 10-Q 001-32545 06/4/2019 4.1 4.2 Description of Designer Brands Inc.'s Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 10-K 001-32545 5/1/2020 4.2 10.1 Corporate Services Agreement, dated June 11, 2002, between Retail Ventures, Inc. and Schottenstein Stores Corporation. 10-Q 001-10767 06/18/2002 10.6 10.1.1 Amendment to Corporate Services Agreement, dated July 5, 2005, among Retail Ventures, Inc., Schottenstein Stores Corporation and Schottenstein Management Company, together with Side Letter Agreement, dated July 5, 2005, among Schottenstein Stores Corporation, Retail Ventures, Inc., Schottenstein Management Company and DSW Inc. related thereto. 8-K 001-10767 07/11/2005 10.5 10.2# Employment Agreement, dated March 24, 2005, between Deborah Ferrée and DSW Inc. S-1 333-123289 03/14/2005 10.4 10.2.1# First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2007, between Deborah Ferrée and DSW Inc. 10-K 001-32545 4/17/2008 10.2.1 65 Table of contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit Number 10.2.2# Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 12, 2016, between Deborah Ferrée and DSW Inc. 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2016 10.2.2 10.3# Designer Brands Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as Amended and Restated). Schedule 14A 001-32545 5/3/2024 Appendix A 10.3.1# Form of Director Stock Unit Agreement (2021). 10-K 001-32545 3/16/2023 10.3.9 10.3. 2 # Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement (2023). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.4 10.3. 3 # Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Canada Employees (2023). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.5 10.3. 4 # Form of Performance Share Agreement (2023). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.6 10.3. 5 # Form of Performance Share Agreement for Canada Employees (2023). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.7 10.3. 6 # Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Employees (2024). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.8 10.3. 7 # Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Canada Employees (2024). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.9 10.3. 8 # Form of Performance Share Agreement for Employees (2024). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.10 10.3. 9 # Form of Performance Share Agreement for Canada Employees (2024). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.11 10.3. 10 # Form of Director Stock Units Agreement (2024). 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.3.12 10.3.11#* Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Employees (2025) - - - - 10.3.12#* Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement for Canada Employees (2025) - - - - 10.3.13#* Form of Performance Share Agreement for Employees (2025) - - - - 10.3.14#* Form of Performance Share Agreement for Canada Employees (2025) - - - - 10.4# Designer Brands Inc. Cash Incentive Plan. 10-K 001-32545 3/16/2023 10.4 10.5# Form of Indemnification Agreement between Designer Brands Inc. and its officers and directors. 10-K 001-32545 5/1/2020 10.7 10.6 Management Agreement, dated October 30, 2012, between Schottenstein Property Group, LLC and 810 AC LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of DSW Inc. 8-K 001-32545 11/1/2012 10.2 10. 7 # Standard Executive Severance Agreement, dated April 9, 2020, between Mary Turner and Designer Brands Inc. 10-K 001-32545 5/1/2020 10.21 10. 8 # Amended and Restated Standard Executive Agreement, dated January 5, 2023, between Douglas M. Howe and Designer Brands Inc. 10-Q 001-32545 6/8/2023 10.1 10. 9 # Standard Executive Agreement, dated August 4, 2023, between Laura Denk and Designer Brands Inc. 10-Q 001-32545 9/7/2023 10.1 10.1 0 # Standard Executive Agreement, dated January 3, 2024, between Andrea O'Donnell and Designer Brands Inc. 10-K 001-32545 3/25/2024 10.14 10.11#* Standard Executive Agreement, dated February 10, 2026, between Sheamus Toal and Designer Brands Inc. - - - - 10.1 2 # Amended and Restated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. 10-K 001-32545 3/25/2024 10.15 10.12.1# Amendment, dated as of September 4, 2025, to the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated). 10-Q 001-32545 9/9/2025 10.1 66 Table of contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit Number 10.13+ Credit Agreement, dated March 30, 2022, among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic and Canadian subsidiaries as borrowers, other loan parties thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Huntington National Bank, as Administrative Agent, The Huntington National Bank, Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A., as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent. 8-K 001-32545 4/5/2022 10.1 10.13.1+ First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated February 28, 2023, among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic and Canadian subsidiaries as borrowers, other loan parties thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Huntington National Bank, as Administrative Agent, The Huntington National Bank, Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A., as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent. 8-K 001-32545 3/3/2023 10.1 10.13.2+ Joinder and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated June 23, 2023, among Designer Brand Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic and Canadian subsidiaries as borrowers, other loan parties thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Huntington National Bank, as Administrative Agent, The Huntington National Bank, Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A., as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent. 10-Q 001-32545 9/7/2023 10.3 10.13.3+ Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 27, 2026 among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain of domestic and Canadian subsidiaries as borrowers, other loan parties thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Huntington National Bank, as Administrative Agent, The Huntington National Bank, Bank of Montreal and Bank of America, N.A., as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent. 8-K 001-32545 3/4/2026 10.1 10.14+ Term Credit Agreement, dated June 23, 2023, among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic subsidiaries as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and PLC Agent LLC, as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger. 8-K 001-32545 6/23/2023 10.1 10.14.1+ First Amendment to Term Credit Agreement, dated September 21, 2023, among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic subsidiaries as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and PLC Agent LLC, as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger. 10-Q 001-32545 12/5/2023 10.1 10.14.2+ Second Amendment to Term Credit Agreement, dated March 3, 2025, among Designer Brands Inc., Designer Brands Canada Inc., certain domestic subsidiaries as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and PLC Agent LLC, as Administrative Agent and Lead Arranger. 10-K 001-32545 3/24/2025 10.14.2 19* Designer Brands Inc. Insider Trading Policy. - - - - 21.1* List of Subsidiaries. - - - - 23.1* Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. - - - - 24.1* Powers of Attorney. - - - - 67 Table of contents Incorporated by Reference Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit Number 31.1* Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Executive Officer. - - - - 31.2* Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Financial Officer. - - - - 32.1** Section 1350 Certification - Principal Executive Officer. - - - - 32.2** Section 1350 Certification - Principal Financial Officer. - - - - 97 Designer Brands Inc. Compensation Recoupment Policy. 10-K 001-32545 3/25/2024 97 101* The following materials from the Designer Brands Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2026, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. - - - - 104* Cover Page Interactive Data File, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101. - - - - * Filed herewith ** Furnished herewith # Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement + Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The Company agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request. (c) Additional Financial Statement Schedules None. ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY None. 68 Table of contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. DESIGNER BRANDS INC. March 30, 2026 By: /s/ Sheamus Toal Sheamus Toal Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ Douglas M. Howe Chief Executive Officer and Director March 30, 2026 Douglas M. Howe (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Sheamus Toal Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer March 30, 2026 Sheamus Toal (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ Mark A. Haley Senior Vice President and Controller March 30, 2026 Mark A. Haley (Principal Accounting Officer) * Executive Chairman of the Board and Director March 30, 2026 Jay L. Schottenstein * Director March 30, 2026 John W. Atkinson * Director March 30, 2026 Peter S. Cobb * Director March 30, 2026 Elaine J. Eisenman * Vice Chair, Chief Product Officer and Director March 30, 2026 Deborah L. Ferree * Director March 30, 2026 Joanna T. Lau * Director March 30, 2026 Richard A. Paul * Director March 30, 2026 Joseph A. Schottenstein * Director March 30, 2026 Harvey L. Sonnenberg * Director March 30, 2026 Allan J. Tanenbaum * Director March 30, 2026 Joanne Zaiac *By: /s/ Sheamus Toal Sheamus Toal (Attorney-in-fact) 69