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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DSW Inc. (NYSE: DSW), a leading branded footwear and accessories retailer in North America, is pleased to announce the signing of Apparel Group as its exclusive franchise partner in the Gulf Coast. The agreement will expand DSW into Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Oman and with 40 stores across the territory, with the first stores opening in 2017.

DSW's international stores will showcase the huge variety of styles at competitive prices within the convenient open shopping environment that DSW customers have come to expect. The stores in the Middle East will be in both malls and on high street locations, with the initial stores averaging approximately 15,000 square feet and offering approximately 2,000 choices per store.

Simon Nankervis, DSW's Chief Commercial Officer stated, "We are thrilled to bring DSW to new markets outside North America. DSW fills white space for fashion-minded consumers in the Middle East with our wide range of international brands at compelling value. We are excited to work with the Apparel Group, who has a track record of introducing and successfully developing international brands across the Middle East."

Nilesh Ved, Founder and Chairman, Apparel Group commented, "We look forward to launching our partnership with DSW in the Gulf region. There is a strong demand for the DSW brand in this market. With DSW's compelling merchandise and brand recognition, coupled with our group's marketing expertise and knowledge of the customer, we will create an incredible experience in footwear retailing in the region."

He further added, "We have expanded tremendously in 2016 and have added almost 10 new international brands to our portfolio this year. This agreement with DSW is yet another important milestone as we continue to focus on accelerating our retail expansion in the region."

About DSW Inc.

DSW operates 480 stores in 42 states and operates an ecommerce site, http://www.dsw.com, and a mobile site, http://m.dsw.com. DSW also supplies footwear to 387 locations in the United States operated by Steinmart, Gordman's and Frugal Fannie's under its Affiliate Business Group. Through its partial ownership of Town Shoes of Canada, DSW also operates 17 stores in Canada.

For store locations and additional information about DSW, visit http://www.dswinc.com. Follow DSW on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DSW, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/dswshoelovers, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DSWShoeLovers.

About The Apparel Group:

Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, Apparel Group caters to thousands of eager shoppers through 65 international brands that it represents, with 13,000 multi-cultural staff serving 1,300+ stores spread over four continents. The Dubai-based multi-retail conglomerate that began with just one brand in 1999 is now aiming to have 1500 stores by end 2016.

Apparel group has carved its strong presence not only in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia but opened thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Jordan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter markets such as Iraq, Egypt and the broader African continent. Apparel Group operates brands from around the world originating from USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and includes leading names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo, Nine West, Skechers, Aeropostale, The Children's Place, Tim Hortons, Charles & Keith to name a few. The Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Chairman, Nilesh Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception 17 years ago. For more information, visit www.appareluae.com.

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SOURCE DSW Inc.