DSW 2009 Annual Report Download - page 8

PART I
All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “DSW” or the “Company” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K mean DSW
Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except where it is made clear that the term only means DSW Inc. DSW Class A
Common Shares are listed for trading under the ticker symbol “DSW” on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
All references to “Retail Ventures”, or “RVI”, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K mean Retail Ventures, Inc.
and its subsidiaries, except where it is made clear that the term only means the parent company. DSW is a controlled
subsidiary of Retail Ventures. RVI Common Shares are listed for trading under the ticker symbol “RVI” on the NYSE.
We own many trademarks and service marks. This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain trade dress,
tradenames and trademarks of other companies. Use or display of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress or
tradenames is not intended to and does not imply a relationship with the trademark, trade dress or tradename owner.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Pro-
visions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Some of the statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements which reflect
our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. You can identify
these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,”
“potential,” “continues,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,”
“anticipates” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements
contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations and
assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, financial condition, growth strategy and liquidity. The
inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person
that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous 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. In addition to other factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including
those factors described under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors,” some important factors that could cause actual results,
performance or achievements for DSW to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, the following:
•our success in opening and operating new stores on a timely and profitable basis;
•continuation of supply agreements and the financial condition of our leased business partners;
•maintaining good relationships with our vendors;
•our ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends;
•fluctuation of our comparable store sales and quarterly financial performance;
•disruption of our distribution operations;
•failure to retain our key executives or attract qualified new personnel;
•our competitiveness with respect to style, price, brand availability and customer service;
•declining general economic conditions;
•risks inherent to international trade with countries that are major manufacturers of footwear;
•risks related to our cash and investments;
•the success of dsw.com;
•RVI’s lease of an office facility;
•our ability to secure a replacement credit facility upon the expiration of our existing credit facility; and
•liquidity risks at Retail Ventures and their impact on DSW.
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