<?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2025 Workiva-->
<!--r:181ae8e3-8b93-4fcf-a71d-85e6c3044075,g:11b32bb7-c4d4-4f9f-90a0-fbda1130d770,d:b97c534c3fbc49999b278b6cd33ff7e9-->
<html xmlns:ix="http://www.xbrl.org/2013/inlineXBRL" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025" xmlns:ixt="http://www.xbrl.org/inlineXBRL/transformation/2020-02-12" xmlns:ixt-sec="http://www.sec.gov/inlineXBRL/transformation/2015-08-31" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xml:lang="en-US"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html"/>


<title>dbi-20250618</title></head><body><div style="display:none"><ix:header><ix:hidden><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityCentralIndexKey" id="f-21">0001319947</ix:nonNumeric><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:AmendmentFlag" id="f-22">false</ix:nonNumeric></ix:hidden><ix:references xml:lang="en-US"><link:schemaRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dbi-20250618.xsd"/></ix:references><ix:resources><xbrli:context id="c-1"><xbrli:entity><xbrli:identifier scheme="http://www.sec.gov/CIK">0001319947</xbrli:identifier></xbrli:entity><xbrli:period><xbrli:startDate>2024-06-20</xbrli:startDate><xbrli:endDate>2024-06-20</xbrli:endDate></xbrli:period></xbrli:context></ix:resources></ix:header></div><div id="ib97c534c3fbc49999b278b6cd33ff7e9_1"></div><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="-sec-extract:summary;margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">UNITED STATES</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:14pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Washington, D.C. 20549</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:18pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">FORM <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:DocumentType" id="f-1">8-K</ix:nonNumeric></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">CURRENT REPORT</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate" format="ixt:date-monthname-day-year-en" id="f-2">June 18, 2025</ix:nonNumeric></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:24pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityRegistrantName" id="f-3">Designer Brands Inc.</ix:nonNumeric></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:30.414%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.528%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:30.414%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.528%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:30.416%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode" format="ixt-sec:stateprovnameen" id="f-4">Ohio</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityFileNumber" id="f-5">001-32545</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityTaxIdentificationNumber" id="f-6">31-0746639</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Commission File Number)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:center"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:47.499%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:47.500%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityAddressAddressLine1" id="f-7">810 DSW Drive</ix:nonNumeric>, <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityAddressCityOrTown" id="f-8">Columbus</ix:nonNumeric>, <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityAddressStateOrProvince" format="ixt-sec:stateprovnameen" id="f-9">Ohio</ix:nonNumeric></span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityAddressPostalZipCode" id="f-10">43219</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Zip Code)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code: </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(<ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:CityAreaCode" id="f-11">614</ix:nonNumeric>) <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:LocalPhoneNumber" id="f-12">237-7100</ix:nonNumeric></span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:98.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">&#160;</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">&#160;N/A</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:WrittenCommunications" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="f-13">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:SolicitingMaterial" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="f-14">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:PreCommencementTenderOffer" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="f-15">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Wingdings',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="f-16">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:36.604%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.490%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:36.606%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Title of each class</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Trading Symbol(s)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Name of each exchange on which registered</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:Security12bTitle" id="f-17">Class A Common Shares, without par value</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:TradingSymbol" id="f-18">DBI</ix:nonNumeric></span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%"><ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:SecurityExchangeName" format="ixt-sec:exchnameen" id="f-19">New York Stock Exchange</ix:nonNumeric></span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:360pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Emerging growth company <ix:nonNumeric contextRef="c-1" name="dei:EntityEmergingGrowthCompany" format="ixt-sec:boolballotbox" id="f-20">&#9744;</ix:nonNumeric></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Act.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#9744;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt"><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">At the Annual Meeting, the Company&#8217;s shareholders considered and voted on the matters set forth below, each of which is described in greater detail in the Company&#8217;s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on May 5, 2025 (the &#8220;Proxy Statement&#8221;). Set forth below are the final voting results for each of the proposals submitted to a vote of the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Proposal 1: Election of Four Class III Director Nominees</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Voting results regarding the election of four Class III director nominees were as follows:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Name of Nominee</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes For</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes Withheld</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Broker Non-Votes</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">John W. Atkinson</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">85,891,625</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">632,765</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,844,248</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Elaine J. Eisenman</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">85,682,002</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">842,388</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,844,248</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Joanna T. Lau</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">77,120,975</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">9,403,415</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,844,248</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Joseph A. Schottenstein</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">85,608,204</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">916,186</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,844,248</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Based on the voting results set forth above, Messrs. John W. Atkinson and Joseph A. Schottenstein and Mses. Elaine J. Eisenman and Joanna T. Lau were each duly elected as Class III directors with terms expiring at the Company's 2028 Annual Meeting of shareholders. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Voting results regarding the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP as the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026 were as follows:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes For</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes Against</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Abstentions</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Broker Non-Votes</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">94,937,854</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">417,989</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">12,795</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'null',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">&#8212;</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Based on the voting results set forth above, the appointment of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP as the Company&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026 was duly ratified.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;text-decoration:underline">Proposal 3: Advisory Approval of Named Executive Officer Fiscal 2024 Compensation</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Voting results regarding the non-binding, advisory vote on the fiscal 2024 compensation of the Company&#8217;s named executive officers as reported in the Proxy Statement were as follows:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.900%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes For</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Votes Against</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Abstentions</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#cceeff;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Broker Non-Votes</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">79,030,560</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,938,053</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">5,555,777</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;border-left:1pt solid #000000;border-right:1pt solid #000000;border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,844,248</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="background-color:#ffffff;color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Based on the voting results set forth above, the fiscal 2024 compensation of the Company&#8217;s named executive officers was approved on an advisory basis.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"/><div style="min-height:42.75pt;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Signature</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> &#160;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. &#160; </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:8pt;margin-top:8pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:97.222%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:4.463%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.148%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:27.922%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:5.366%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:38.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:100%">Designer Brands Inc.</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">By:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">/s/ Lisa M. Yerrace</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Lisa M. Yerrace</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">Date:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:100%">June 20, 2025</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="height:42.75pt;position:relative;width:100%"><div style="bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%"><div><span><br/></span></div></div></div></body></html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "dbi-20250618.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 41645}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Designer Brands Inc.", "cik": "0001319947", "assigned-sic": "5661", "organization-name": "07 Trade & Services", "ein": "310746639", "state-of-incorporation": "OH", "fiscal-year-end": "0131"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-32545", "film-number": "251059229"}, "business-address": {"street1": "810 DSW DRIVE", "city": "COLUMBUS", "state": "OH", "zip": "43219", "phone": "(614) 237-7100"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "810 DSW DRIVE", "city": "COLUMBUS", "state": "OH", "zip": "43219"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "DSW Inc.", "date-changed": "20050307"}}
dbi-20250618
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
June 18, 2025
Designer Brands Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio
001-32545
31-0746639
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
810 DSW Drive
,
Columbus
,
Ohio
43219
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(
614
)
237-7100
N/A
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Shares, without par value
DBI
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.    ☐
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
At the Annual Meeting, the Company's shareholders considered and voted on the matters set forth below, each of which is described in greater detail in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on May 5, 2025 (the "Proxy Statement"). Set forth below are the final voting results for each of the proposals submitted to a vote of the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
Proposal 1: Election of Four Class III Director Nominees
Voting results regarding the election of four Class III director nominees were as follows:
Name of Nominee
Votes For
Votes Withheld
Broker Non-Votes
John W. Atkinson
85,891,625
632,765
8,844,248
Elaine J. Eisenman
85,682,002
842,388
8,844,248
Joanna T. Lau
77,120,975
9,403,415
8,844,248
Joseph A. Schottenstein
85,608,204
916,186
8,844,248
Based on the voting results set forth above, Messrs. John W. Atkinson and Joseph A. Schottenstein and Mses. Elaine J. Eisenman and Joanna T. Lau were each duly elected as Class III directors with terms expiring at the Company's 2028 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Voting results regarding the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026 were as follows:
Votes For
Votes Against
Abstentions
Broker Non-Votes
94,937,854
417,989
12,795
—
Based on the voting results set forth above, the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026 was duly ratified.
Proposal 3: Advisory Approval of Named Executive Officer Fiscal 2024 Compensation
Voting results regarding the non-binding, advisory vote on the fiscal 2024 compensation of the Company's named executive officers as reported in the Proxy Statement were as follows:
Votes For
Votes Against
Abstentions
Broker Non-Votes
79,030,560
1,938,053
5,555,777
8,844,248
Based on the voting results set forth above, the fiscal 2024 compensation of the Company's named executive officers was approved on an advisory basis.
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Designer Brands Inc.
By:
/s/ Lisa M. Yerrace
Lisa M. Yerrace
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Date:
June 20, 2025