Designer Brands (NYSE: DBI) is piloting a program to sell DSW shoes in Hy-Vee grocery stores, though because of the coronavirus pandemic it will first start by offering them for sale on the supermarket's website.
Expanding beyond groceries has been a tactic numerous supermarket chains have explored over the past few years, including Hy-Vee, which began testing apparel sales at one of its Minnesota stores and selling Joe Fresh clothes and shoes at others.
Designer Brands has also sought to expand its offerings, experimenting with nail salons in its DSW stores. During the current crisis, though, says it is imperative it "pivot to operating as a dot-com-only business."