If you’ve shopped for shoes in the last decade, you probably know DSW. It’s the place with the big aisles, discount brands, and a self-serve style that’s made it easy to try on a dozen pairs without a salesperson hovering nearby. But lately, maybe you’ve seen signs or heard rumors: is DSW shutting down for good?
Is DSW Going Out of Business?
Let’s clear up the biggest question first. DSW is not going completely out of business. The chain is still running lots of locations and its website is definitely open for business. But yes, DSW has been closing some stores—especially ones that haven’t been performing as well as others.
In fact, if you keep an eye on retail news, this isn’t a huge surprise. Many brands, not just DSW, are trimming their number of physical stores and doubling down on the most successful spots. DSW’s store closures are part of this bigger shift in how people shop now, especially with so much moving online.
Where Are DSW Stores Closing?
Back in March 2021, Designer Brands (that’s the parent company of DSW) made a pretty big announcement. The company said it would close around 65 stores over about four years, letting existing leases run their course. Just in 2021, 24 DSW locations went on the chopping block.
At the time, the plan mainly focused on closing stores that just weren’t bringing in enough sales. Many of these were spots that were already having trouble even before COVID hit and changed the retail world even more.
The goal? DSW wanted to get smarter about where it spends money. Instead of sticking with every location, the plan was to focus resources on stores and regions actually showing steady foot traffic and good sales.
Examples of Store Closures
If you want something concrete, let’s look at a specific store. There’s a DSW right across from the St. Matthews Mall on Shelbyville Road in Louisville, Kentucky. That shop is set to close sometime after May 24, 2025.
That’s not the only closure DSW has announced, but it’s an example that helps show the strategy at work. The company checks performance and then decides when it makes sense to stay or go. Usually, there’s plenty of notice for employees and shoppers, and some sales as store inventory winds down.
These moves tend to create a local buzz, especially if your city doesn’t have too many DSWs left. But for most customers, especially those shopping online, it’s business as usual.
So, Why Is DSW Shrinking Its Store Count?
Let’s talk about what’s really pushing these closures. Like a lot of shoe and apparel retailers, DSW has hit some financial bumps. The worst stretch was in 2021. Back then, Designer Brands reported that sales for the fourth quarter of that year dropped about 27% from the year before, down to $609 million.
And for the whole year, sales were actually down 36%—falling to $2.2 billion overall. The company took a net loss of nearly $489 million just in 2021. Some of that was directly because of pandemic shutdowns and fewer shoppers in stores, but other trends—like more buying online and less interest in dress shoes—mattered too.
Basically, the whole business model needed a checkup. If you’re relying on “come in, browse, and try on a dozen pairs,” you need bodies in stores. When that slows down, you have to rethink where you’re investing.
How DSW Shifted Its Business Strategy
So, what’s DSW doing besides closing some doors? First, it noticed what was selling, and what wasn’t. Athletic shoes—sneakers, trainers, those “athleisure” crossovers that work for the gym or a lazy Saturday—started making up a much bigger chunk of sales.
By fall 2020, athletic styles went from 30% to nearly half of all DSW shoe sales. That’s a big shift. It’s not that they’ve quit selling high heels or formal loafers, but customers just aren’t chasing them the way they used to.
DSW also started trimming its long vendor list, instead zeroing in on its top 50 footwear brands. That means better deals, easier inventory management, and hopefully fewer logistics headaches.
Then, in early 2025, a new marketing brain came on the scene: Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Crockett. She’s leading a kind of brand “refresh.” Think less about totally changing what DSW is, and more about tweaking the self-service, value-first model to make sense for today’s shopper. New visuals, new messages, maybe a modernized store vibe—but still the basics that made the chain a favorite for so many hunt-for-a-bargain shoppers.
What About Shareholders? Any Signs of Trouble?
Often, if a company is really about to tank, you see some warning signs from the way it treats its investors. DSW’s parent, Designer Brands, is still paying out dividends—even in spring 2024, they handed out five cents per share for both of their common share classes.
While that’s not a huge payout, it’s a sign the company thinks it’ll be around for more quarters to come. Companies on their last legs usually either skip dividends or cut them completely, so this is actually a small vote of confidence.
Plus, executives have been talking openly about the company’s “strategic evolution.” That’s business-speak for, “We’re changing how we do things—not closing the doors.”
Will Your Local DSW Close?
If you’re worrying about your favorite DSW closing, here’s how to size it up. Is the store usually pretty full? Is it near other big retailers or in a busy center? Chances are, higher-traffic locations will stick around.
The stores usually targeted for closure are the ones where business has dropped off or never really took off to start. And if your local branch does close, online shopping is still around (with the same selection and prices).
What Kind of Shoes Are Hot at DSW Now?
If you spent any time at DSW since 2020, you probably already noticed the changes—way more sneakers, athletic shoes, and comfy slip-ons. Even brands you’d think of as more “sporty” (like Nike, Adidas, and Puma) have gotten more shelf space than before.
That fits the bigger trend across all shoe stores. People just aren’t dressing up as often for work or events. Even if office life is back, most folks want comfort and versatility. DSW reacted by lining up more inventory in categories that actually sell.
The self-service element—lots of boxes on the floor, grab-and-go try-on, price tags that tell you if it’s an extra good deal—is still a core part of the DSW experience at most stores. Even if the brand is updating things here and there, they’re not trying to turn into a totally different type of shoe store.
How DSW Fits in With Broader Retail Shifts
It’s also worth noting: DSW isn’t alone here. Nearly every chain that relies on “bargain hunting” and warehouse vibes has had to rethink its setup in the age of online shopping. The pandemic sped things up, but the core shifts started before COVID arrived.
Discount shoe chains, department stores, and even mall anchors have been weighing their options. Some, like Payless, struggled and shut down. Others, like DSW and Famous Footwear, are focusing on fewer but stronger locations, with more emphasis on online sales and brand recognition.
Consumer habits have changed fast. Now, we’re used to buying shoes with just a few clicks, skipping the in-person try-ons. DSW’s online store is getting more visibility and marketing as a part of that pivot, while physical stores double down on creating a fun, efficient, and bargain-friendly experience when you do come in.
If you’re curious about how these shifts are playing out in other big retail chains—how they’re adapting, scaling back, or doubling down—it’s worth keeping an eye on straightforward business news resources like Any Day Business for ongoing analysis and updates. Watching how DSW moves can also offer hints at what’s next for other discount chains.
Bottom Line: DSW Isn’t Going Away
So, is DSW closing? Not across the board. Instead, it’s getting pickier about which locations get to stick around, adapting to a world where we all shop a little differently than we did five or ten years ago.
For diehard fans, DSW’s core idea—good selection, fair prices, easy to try things on—remains. Some less-busy stores will close. The company will likely keep tinkering with what brands to highlight and how to meet shoppers wherever they are, especially online.
DSW is trimming sails, not abandoning ship. If you’re still hunting for the next great shoe deal, you haven’t missed your chance. Just maybe check online first next time you’re in the mood to browse, as your local store lineup could be in the middle of a refresh.
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