About DSW
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a leading North American footwear and accessories retailer founded in 1991 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Operated by Designer Brands Inc., DSW is renowned for its “warehouse” retail concept, offering a vast selection of designer and name-brand shoes, handbags, and accessories at discounted prices.
The brand caters to men, women, and children, carrying over 500 popular brands such as Nike, Adidas, Birkenstock, and Steve Madden. DSW distinguishes itself with a robust loyalty program (DSW VIP) and an omnichannel shopping experience that bridges their extensive network of physical stores with a high-traffic e-commerce platform.
DSW Affiliate program overview
DSW’s affiliate program allows partners to monetize their traffic by promoting a massive inventory of footwear and accessories. It operates on a performance-based model, rewarding affiliates for driving valid sales.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | Retail / Fashion / Footwear |
| Product Type | Shoes (Men, Women, Kids), Handbags, Accessories |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
DSW Affiliate program offers
The program provides affiliates with the necessary tools to promote the brand effectively, including creative assets and tracking capabilities. DSW is generally strict about brand safety and the types of content they associate with.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Text Links, Product Feed, Weekly Newsletters with Offers |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 14 Days |
| Accepted traffic source | Blogs, Content Sites, Social Media, Email Marketing, Comparison Sites |
| Accepted countries | Primarily United States & Canada (Shipping is limited to these regions) |
| Explicit Content | Not Allowed |
| Religious or political content | Not Allowed |
DSW Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure is straightforward but can vary based on the specific partner tier (e.g., general affiliates vs. “Sole Mate” influencers).
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No (Single-tier program) |
| Commission Rate | 2% (Standard Base Rate) up to 10% (for specific influencer campaigns/Sole Mates) |
| Commission Structure | Flat percentage per qualifying sale |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly |
| Payout Methods | Direct Deposit (ACH), PayPal, Check |
| Minimum Payout | Typically $10 or $50 (depending on network settings) |
Suitable affiliates for DSW Affiliate
This program is best suited for content creators who focus on fashion, family lifestyle, and budget-conscious shopping.
- Bloggers: Fashion and lifestyle bloggers who review shoes or curate “look for less” content.
- TikTokers: Creators showcasing “shoe hauls,” “get ready with me” (GRWM), or seasonal fashion trends.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday consumers who review products and share authentic feedback on comfort and fit.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Established fashion authorities whose recommendations drive immediate sales.
- Influencers: Instagram and Pinterest creators focusing on outfit inspiration (OOTD).
- YouTubers: Channels dedicated to sneaker reviews, unboxings, or family shopping vlogs.
- Video editors: Creators compiling fashion trends or “best of” shoe lists.
- Livestreamers: Hosts doing live try-on sessions or shopping events.
DSW Affiliate Software
DSW utilizes third-party affiliate networks to manage their program rather than in-house software. They are primarily active on Impact Radius (Impact), which handles tracking, reporting, and payments. They have also been listed on CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers in the past.
3 Alternatives for DSW Affiliate Program
Below is a comparison of DSW with three major competitors: Zappos, Foot Locker, and Famous Footwear.
Comparison Analysis:
- Zappos is the strongest alternative for affiliates, offering a significantly higher commission rate (7%) and a higher average bill size, though the cookie duration is the same.
- Foot Locker offers a similar commission rate to DSW’s base tier but has a much shorter cookie window (often 2-7 days), making it harder to convert traffic that doesn’t buy immediately.
- Famous Footwear is a direct competitor in the family discount space but typically offers lower commissions (~1%) despite having a longer cookie duration.
| Factor | DSW (For Context) | Zappos | Foot Locker | Famous Footwear |
| Average bill (AOV) | ~$75 – $100 | ~$125 – $150 | ~$80 – $110 | ~$60 – $90 |
| Entry fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal threshold | ~$10 – $50 | ~$0 – $50 | ~$25 – $50 | ~$25 – $50 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | 2% – 10% | ~7% | ~2% | ~1% |
| Conversion Rate | ~3.0% – 3.5% | High (~4%+) | ~3.5% – 4.0% | ~2% – 3% |
| Marketing materials | Banners, Links | Banners, Deep Linking | Banners, Text Links | Banners, Coupons |
