Designer Brands Insider Boosts Stake to 119k Shares in No-Cost Grant

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Designer Brands Inc. (DBI) – Form 4 Insider Activity

Director Richard A. Paul filed a Form 4 reporting the acquisition of 72,368 Class A common shares on 06/18/2025 at a stated price of $0.00, indicating a stock grant or similar award rather than an open-market purchase. The transaction lifts his direct beneficial ownership to 119,101 shares. No sales or derivative security transactions were disclosed, and the filing lists no indirect holdings. This is the only transaction reported and therefore the director’s first disclosed share movement in the current period.

Positive

• Director increased direct ownership by 72,368 shares, bringing his stake to 119,101 shares, potentially improving alignment with shareholder interests.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: Director granted 72,368 DBI shares, raising stake to 119k; zero-cost award carries mild positive governance signal.

The Form 4 shows a single, cost-free acquisition, typical of restricted stock units or board equity grants. While the filing does not state market value, the increase in personal ownership can better align the director’s interests with shareholders. Because there were no open-market purchases, cash outlays, or accompanying derivative trades, the filing’s impact on valuation or liquidity is limited. Still, it removes any doubt about insider confidence and slightly strengthens governance optics.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number:			3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:			0.5

Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Paul Richard A.

(Last) (First) (Middle)

810 DSW DRIVE

(Street)

COLUMBUS OH 43219

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Designer Brands Inc. [ DBI ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
06/18/2025

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Class A Common Shares	06/18/2025		A		72,368	A	$0.0000	119,101	D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

	Katherine Alfano, Attorney-in-Fact	06/23/2025
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

How many Designer Brands (DBI) shares did Director Richard A. Paul acquire?

He acquired 72,368 Class A common shares on 06/18/2025.

What is Richard A. Paul’s total DBI shareholding after the transaction?

His direct beneficial ownership increased to 119,101 shares.

Did the Form 4 disclose any share sales or derivative transactions?

No. No sales or derivative security trades were reported.

Was cash paid for the newly acquired DBI shares?

The filing lists a $0.00 price, indicating a grant rather than a cash purchase.

What role does Richard A. Paul hold at Designer Brands Inc.?

He is listed as a Director of Designer Brands Inc.