Executive Moves at DSW and Academy Sports

Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.

Today we have executive moves at DSW and Academy Sports + Outdoors. Plus, Manolo Blahnik plans to open a larger shop inside Japan’s Hankyu Umeda department store

Here's what you need to know:

Designer Brands Names Laura Denk as DSW President

Designer Brands Inc.?has tapped Laura Denk as president of?DSW?Designer Shoe Warehouse and EVP of Designer Brands, effective July 24.

Denk joins DBI after serving in several posts at Michaels Stores, Inc., culminating in her role as chief merchandising officer and EVP. She left the retailer in 2022, according to her LinkedIn account. She also held merchandising leadership roles at Claire’s Stores, Inc. and Macy’s Inc.

In her new role at DBI, Denk will oversee DSW’s nearly 500 store locations across the U.S. as well as its e-commerce channel. She will also help DSW bolster its portfolio of?owned?and national brands and will report to DBI CEO Doug Howe, who previously served as DSW president until being promoted to?CEO in April.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Promotes Carl Ford to CFO

Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. has promoted Carl Ford to the role of EVP and chief financial officer, effective Wednesday, marking the latest top executive shift to occur at the retailer this year.

The sporting goods chain last month promoted?Matt McCabe?to the role of EVP and chief merchandising officer. He replaced Academy’s former chief merchant Steve Lawrence, who?stepped into the CEO?role at the start of June as part of a planned succession.

Ford, who has served as Academy’s SVP of finance since January 2019, succeeds former?CFO?Michael Mullican, who transitioned to the role of president in June. Prior to joining Academy, Ford spent 15 years at department store Belk, culminating in his role as VP of financial planning and analysis.

Manolo Blahnik to Open Larger Shop Inside Japan’s Hankyu Umeda Department Store

Manolo Blahnik?will open a reimagined space inside Japanese luxury department store Hankyu Umeda next week.

Located within Umeda’s fashion area, the 753 sq.-ft. area is larger in size than Blahnik’s previous shop and features a new contemporary design aimed at providing clients an “elevated boutique experience,” the luxury footwear company said in a press release.

According to the London-based shoe brand, which has been available at the Hankyu store since 2016, this new shop-in-shop marks the first time Blahnik’s men’s and women’s collections are presented side-by-side at the retailer.

Visitors to the shop can expect to find something akin to other Manolo Blahnik spaces globally, the company said. It will feature a “unique design” by its long-standing architect Nick Leith-Smith, who sits down with?Manolo Blahnik himself?and CEO Kristina Blahnik to come up with an original concept for each location.

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