 Designer Brands Inc. DBI, -0.06 reported Thursday fiscal first-quarte profit and net sales that rose above expectations, and gross margin that improved, while same-store sales came up short. The footwear and accessories retailer, and parent of the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse chain of stores, said net income for the quarter to April 30 rose to 26.2 million, or 34 cents a share, from 17.0 million, or 22 cents a share, in the year-ago period. 