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COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• Fourth quarter sales increase 15.7% to $594.3 million; comparable sales increase 3.6%
• Including a net loss of $0.10 per share of legacy charges from RVI, Reported EPS totals $0.59
• Fourth quarter Adjusted EPS rises to $0.69 per share, an increase of 35.3% per share
• Full year sales increase 11.5% to $2,257.8 million; comparable sales increase 5.5%
• Full year Reported EPS totals $3.23 including $0.12 per share in one time net charges
• Adjusted EPS rises to $3.35 per share for the full year, up from $3.00 per share in 2011

DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer, announced financial results for the fourteen week and fifty-three week periods ending February 2, 2013, which compare to the thirteen week and fifty-two week periods ending January 28, 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100325/DSWLOGO-a )

"I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team. We delivered solid sales and earnings growth this quarter, which represented our 14th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales growth," stated Mike MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, DSW Inc.

Mr. MacDonald continued, "This quarter concluded a very strong year for the Company in which we grew total sales by 12%, generated a two year comparable store gain of 13.8% and increased earnings per share by 12%. We continue to make excellent progress on our strategic initiatives, all of which are designed to enhance our shopping experience, regardless of how and where the customer chooses to shop. We also rewarded our shareholders with dividends totaling $128 million in 2012."

Fourth Quarter Operating Results

• Sales increased 15.7% to $594.3 million compared to last year's fourth quarter sales of $513.7 million. The increase includes an incremental sales benefit of $32.3 million for the 53rd week.
• For the thirteen week period, comparable sales increased by 3.6%. This follows an increase of 5.6% during the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Reported net income was $27.1 million, or $0.59 per diluted share on 45.7 million weighted average shares outstanding, which included $4.2 million in legacy charges from RVI. This compares to Reported net income in the fourth quarter of 2011 of $19.4 million, which included a non-cash charge of $3.7 million related to the merger with RVI. Reported EPS for the fourth quarter last year was $0.37 per share.
• Net income, adjusted for one-time items was $31.4 million, or $0.69 per diluted share on 45.7 million weighted average shares outstanding. This compares to Adjusted net income for the same period last year of $23.1 million, or $0.51 per diluted share on 45.3 million weighted average shares outstanding. 

Full Year Operating Results

• Fiscal 2012 sales increased 11.5% to $2,257.8 million from $2,024.3 million for fiscal 2011.
• On a fifty-two week basis, comparable sales for fiscal 2012 increased 5.5% which came on top of an increase of 8.3% for fiscal 2011.
• Reported net income in 2012 was $146.4 million, or $3.23 per diluted share on 45.3 million weighted average shares outstanding, which included $9.4 million in after-tax non-cash charges related to RVI and a $3.6 million after-tax award from credit card litigation. This compares to Reported net income in 2011 of $174.8 million, which included a non-cash benefit of $38.6 million related to the merger with RVI. Reported EPS last year was $4.54. 
• Fiscal 2012 net income, adjusted for one-time items, was $152.2 million or $3.35 per diluted share on 45.5 million weighted average shares outstanding. This compares to Adjusted net income for last year of $136.1 million, or $3.00 per diluted share on 45.3 million weighted average shares outstanding. 

Fourth Quarter Balance Sheet Highlights

• Cash, short term and long term investments totaled $410 million compared to $430 million last year.
• Inventories were $394 million compared to $334 million last year, an increase of 17.8%, in line with expectations. On a cost per square foot basis, inventories supporting DSW stores increased by 1.0% at the end of quarter. 
• The company did not repurchase any shares under its $100 million share buyback program this quarter.
• The company closed on the acquisition of its corporate headquarters and distribution center in Columbus, OH during the fourth quarter for $72 million. 

Fiscal 2013 Annual Outlook

The company's sales trend has softened in the first six weeks of the 2013 fiscal year with comparable sales declining by 5% over that period.  Given this weak start, which is markedly different from DSW's consistent record of solid comparable sales growth over the last fourteen quarters,  it is difficult to project full year sales and profit performance with confidence.  Internally, the company is now managing merchandise receipts and inventories assuming flat comparable sales performance in the first half of the year.  If comparable sales for the full year were to be flat, the company estimates diluted earnings per share of $3.30 to $3.40, excluding any impact from the merger with RVI and the company's luxury initiative. The company intends to discuss the luxury initiative on its earnings conference call.

Webcast and Conference Call

To hear the Company's live earnings conference call, log on to http://www.dswinc.com today at 8:30 AM Eastern, or call (866) 524-3160 in the U.S. or (412) 317-6760 outside the U.S. To hear a replay of the earnings call, which will be available approximately two hours after the conference call ends, dial (877) 344-7529 in the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 outside the U.S. followed by conference number 10025993. An audio replay of the conference call, as well as additional financial information, will also be available at http://www.dswinc.com.

About DSW Inc.

DSW Inc. is a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer that offers a wide selection of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories for women, men and kids.  As of March 19, 2013, DSW operates 364 stores in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and operates an e-commerce site, http://www.dsw.com, and a mobile website, http://m.dsw.com.  DSW also supplies footwear to 346 leased locations in the United States under the Affiliated Business Group. For store locations and additional information about DSW, visit http://www.dswinc.com. Follow DSW on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DSWShoeLovers and "like" DSW on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DSW.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Any statements in this release that are not historical facts, including the statements made in our "Fiscal 2013 Annual Outlook," are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: our success in opening and operating new stores on a timely and profitable basis; maintaining strong relationships with our vendors; our ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends; disruption of our distribution and fulfillment operations; continuation of supply agreements and the financial condition of our affiliated business partners; fluctuation of our comparable sales and quarterly financial performance; risks related to our information systems and data; failure to retain our key executives or attract qualified new personnel; our competitiveness with respect to style, price, brand availability and customer service; our reliance on our "DSW Rewards" program to drive traffic, sales and customer loyalty; our success in launching a luxury business; uncertain general economic conditions; our reliance on foreign sources for merchandise and risks inherent to international trade; risks related to leases of our properties; risks related to our cash and investments; and the realization of risks related to the Merger, including risks related to pre-merger RVI guarantees of certain Filene's Basement leases and RVI's assumption of a pension plan. Additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are described in the Company's latest annual or quarterly report, as filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the time when made. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements included in this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances.

This release contains certain Adjusted financial measures. These measures are included as a complement to Reported results because management believes these Adjusted financial measures help explain underlying performance trends in DSW's business and provide useful information to both management and investors. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Reconciliation of Adjusted Results should not be construed as an alternative to the Reported results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Further, DSW's definition of Adjusted income information may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. While it is not possible to predict future results, management believes the Adjusted information is useful to investors for the assessment of the ongoing operations of DSW. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Reconciliation of Adjusted Results should be read in conjunction with DSW's and RVI's historical financial statements and notes thereto contained in DSW's and RVI's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K.

SOURCE DSW Inc.