DSW Gives Kids Something To Smile About – A Family Affair
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
The news is big and the reception to the announcement is even larger. Yes, it is true that the ever-popular retailer, Designer Shoe Warehouse ( www.dsw.com), is now launching DSW Kids in over 200 of their current stores located in 40 states across the nation. The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time. As school gets set to begin, moms are eager to take their children shopping to keep them looking stylish throughout the school year. Moms will be thrilled to learn that each of the DSW Kids stores will carry over 100 different brands of kids shoes that will put a skip in your step. Whether you are going for fashion, athletic, functional, or, all of the above, DSW Kids will not let you walk out empty-handed. To make this launch even sweeter, the retailer promises to roll out its own brand DNA, joining the parent logo with the word KIDS along with a punch of orange. Look forward to finding Olive & Edie for girls and Max & Jake for boys in stores coming in the spring.
Debbie Ferrée, Vice Chairman and Chief Merchandising Officer comments, “Consumers have been asking for kids shoes in our stores for years and we answered with DSW Kids. We are launching with a full range of footwear starting with infant sizes. Now, the entire family can meet their footwear needs at DSW!” She continues, “With so many of our vendors offering children’s footwear, the expansion was comprehensive and seamless – we offer on average over 210 styles per store and over 2,000 styles online and with our Buy online ship to store capability the in-store options seem endless.”
DSW Kids is taking this opportunity to promote a nationwide back to school donation drive to benefit Souls4Soles. (www.souls4soles.org) This non-profit enterprise is committed to conquering poverty by collecting and distributing shoes and clothing. To make it that much easier for customers to come in and donate their gently used kids’ shoes, there will be convenient drop boxes in each store. Give less fortunate kids something to jump and shout about. DSW’s Shoe Lovers Care Program, also donated a total of $110,000 in grants to eight non-profit organizations to bring joy, play, music and adventure into the lives of children in need. For more information, please visit http://www.shoeloverscare.com.
Additionally, these unique in-store sections encourage child-interaction with instructive shoe sizing islands, complete with fun height measuring flag polls. Wider, stroller friendly aisles have been designed to make shopping comfortable for parents and children.
On August 3, 2016, under a gorgeous night sky, a rooftop garden reception was held in New York City to celebrate the launch of DSW Kids. Guests included Tia Ciabani and daughter Castine;designers Halla Elis and William Calvert with daughter Ciel and celeb stylist Carmen Lilly and daughter Sanura, 6 year old Instagrammer Haileigh Vas and Instagrammer David Clark with son Atticus. Not only did the group have ‘BIG’ fun at the DSWKids Launch party, but, in the spirit of giving ,brought their own contribution of shoes to kick off the donation drive.
DSW Kids departments are now open coast to coast with multiple locations in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington among many others. For a full list of locations carrying DSW Kids please visit: visit www.dsw.com.
