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EX-10.3 - EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT--BARBARA COOK - SEAL123 INCd244281dex103.htm
EX-10.2 - EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT--HARRIET SUSTARSIC - SEAL123 INCd244281dex102.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - SEAL123 INCd244281dex311.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - SEAL123 INCd244281dex321.htm
EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - SEAL123 INCd244281dex322.htm
EX-10.1.2 - AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - SEAL123 INCd244281dex1012.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - SEAL123 INCd244281dex312.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

October 29, 2011 For the quarterly period ended October 29, 2011

OR

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-18632

 

 

THE WET SEAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   33-0415940

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

26972 Burbank, Foothill Ranch, CA   92610
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(949) 699-3900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer: ¨   Accelerated filer: x    Non-accelerated filer: ¨   Smaller reporting company: ¨
     (Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.10 per share, at November 21, 2011, was 90,635,927. There were no shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.10 per share, at November 21, 2011.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Page   

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of October 29, 2011, January  29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

     2   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 and 39 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

     4   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the 39 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

     5   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 39 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

     7   
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     8   

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     21   

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     35   

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

     35   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

     35   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     36   

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     37   

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     37   

Item 4.

 

Reserved

     37   

Item 5.

 

Other Information

     37   

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

     38   

SIGNATURES

     39   

EXHIBIT 10.1.2

  

EXHIBIT 10.2

  

EXHIBIT 10.3

  

EXHIBIT 31.1

  

EXHIBIT 31.2

  

EXHIBIT 32.1

  

EXHIBIT 32.2

  

101.INS XBRL Instance Document

  

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

  

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

  

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

  

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

  

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  

 

1


Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     October 29,
2011
     January 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
 
ASSETS         

CURRENT ASSETS:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 106,205         $ 125,362          $ 115,617     

Short-term investments

     25,056           50,690           25,350     

Other receivables

     3,081           1,941           2,140     

Merchandise inventories

     43,148           33,336           40,687     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     15,135           12,651           12,195     

Deferred tax assets

     19,649           19,649           19,600     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     212,274           243,629           215,589     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS:

        

Leasehold improvements

     124,339           115,712           115,485     

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     80,148           75,395           78,162     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     204,487           191,107           193,647     

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (110,498)          (102,387)          (101,823)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net equipment and leasehold improvements

     93,989           88,720           91,824     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

     —              —              25,919     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

        

Deferred tax assets

     25,395           33,255           37,891     

Other assets

     3,046           2,928           2,581     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other assets

     28,441           36,183           40,472     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

    $ 334,704          $ 368,532          $ 373,804     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY         

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

        

Accounts payable – merchandise

    $ 22,898          $ 20,455          $ 26,158     

Accounts payable – other

     11,409           11,571           17,320     

Income taxes payable

     —              60           —        

Accrued liabilities

     21,673           24,752           22,211     

Current portion of deferred rent

     3,222           3,338           3,297     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     59,202           60,176           68,986     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

        

Deferred rent

     33,757           30,900           30,656     

Other long-term liabilities

     1,669           1,763           1,677     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     35,426           32,663           32,333     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     94,628           92,839           101,319     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     October 29,
2011
     January 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6)

        

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

        

Common stock, Class A, $0.10 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares; 90,660,347 shares issued and 90,642,957 outstanding at October 29, 2011; 113,736,844 shares issued and 101,603,911 shares outstanding at January 29, 2011; and 112,234,844 shares issued and 100,108,311 shares outstanding at October 30, 2010

     9,066           11,374           11,223     

Common stock, Class B convertible, $0.10 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

     —              —              —        

Paid-in capital

     238,175           323,324           325,400     

Accumulated deficit

     (7,373)          (21,332)          (26,584)    

Treasury stock, 17,390 shares, 12,132,933 shares, and 12,126,533 shares, at cost, at October 29, 2011, January 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively

     (77)          (37,963)          (37,963)    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     285           290           409     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     240,076           275,693           272,485     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     $ 334,704           $ 368,532           $ 373,804     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
    October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
 

Net sales

    $ 152,135       $ 146,401       $ 456,945       $ 415,704   

Cost of sales

     105,781        101,890        311,069        287,688   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     46,354        44,511        145,876        128,016   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     39,492        37,851        121,047        107,652   

Asset impairment

     733        1,595        2,049        2,726   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     6,129        5,065        22,780        17,638   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income

     57        84        195        243   

Interest expense (Note 3)

     (41     (27     (128     (3,019
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

     16        57        67        (2,776
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     6,145        5,122        22,847        14,862   

Provision for income taxes

     2,397        2,561        8,888        7,544   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 3,748       $ 2,561       $ 13,959       $ 7,318   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share, basic (Note 5)

    $ 0.04       $ 0.03       $ 0.14       $ 0.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share, diluted (Note 5)

    $ 0.04       $ 0.03       $ 0.14       $ 0.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic

     88,146,378        99,927,566        94,265,017        99,146,895   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted

     88,244,855        99,950,790        94,351,425        99,446,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock      Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Treasury
Stock
    Comprehensive
Income
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     Class A     Class B               
     Shares     Par Value     Shares      Par Value               

Balance at January 29, 2011

     113,736,844      $ 11,374        —         $ —         $ 323,324      $ (21,332   $ (37,963     $ 290      $ 275,693   

Net income

     —          —          —           —           —          13,959        —        $ 13,959        —          13,959   

Stock issued pursuant to long-term incentive plans

     831,388        83        —           —           (83     —          —          —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation - directors and employees (Note 2)

     —          —          —           —           3,172        —          —          —          —          3,172   

Amortization of stock payment in lieu of rent

     —          —          —           —           46        —          —          —          —          46   

Exercise of stock options

     334,334        33        —           —           1,038        —          —          —          —          1,071   

Repurchase of common stock

     —          —          —           —           —          —          (53,860     —          —          (53,860

Retirement of treasury stock

     (24,242,219 )     (2,424     —           —           (89,322     —          91,746        —          —          —     

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

     —          —          —           —           —          —          —          (5     (5     (5
                  

 

 

     

Comprehensive income

                   $ 13,954       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at October 29, 2011

     90,660,347      $ 9,066        —         $ —         $ 238,175      $ (7,373   $ (77     $ 285      $ 240,076   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock      Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Treasury
Stock
    Comprehensive
Income
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     Class A      Class B               
     Shares      Par Value      Shares      Par Value               

Balance at January 30, 2010

     106,889,150       $ 10,689         —         $ —         $ 312,689      $ (33,902   $ (29,758     $ 421      $ 260,139   

Net income

     —           —           —           —           —          7,318        —        $ 7,318        —          7,318   

Stock issued pursuant to long-term incentive plans

     472,700         47         —           —           (47     —          —          —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation—directors and employees (Note 2)

     —           —           —           —           1,426        —          —          —          —          1,426   

Amortization of stock payment in lieu of rent

     —           —           —           —           73        —          —          —          —          73   

Exercise of stock options

     64,168         6         —           —           200        —          —          —          —          206   

Exercise of common stock warrants

     1,160,715         116         —           —           4,155        —          —          —          —          4,271   

Conversions of secured convertible notes into common stock (Note 3)

     3,111,111         311         —           —           5,347        —          —          —          —          5,658   

Conversions of convertible preferred stock into common stock (Note 3)

     537,000         54         —           —           1,557        —          —          —          —          1,611   

Repurchase of common stock

     —           —           —           —           —          —          (8,205     —          —          (8,205

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

     —           —           —           —           —          —          —          (12     (12     (12
                    

 

 

     

Comprehensive income

                     $ 7,306       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at October 30, 2010

     112,234,844       $ 11,223         —         $ —         $ 325,400      $ (26,584   $ (37,963     $ 409      $ 272,485   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     39 Weeks Ended  
     October 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     

Net income

    $ 13,959        $ 7,318    

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     14,427          12,315    

Amortization of premium on investments

     634          67    

Amortization/acceleration of discount on secured convertible notes

     —             2,083    

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     75          153    

Amortization of stock payment in lieu of rent

     46          73    

Adjustment of derivatives to fair value

     —             (20)   

Interest added to principal of secured convertible notes

     —             35    

Conversion inducement fee (Note 3)

     —             700    

Loss on disposal of equipment and leasehold improvements

     120          565    

Asset impairment

     2,049          2,726    

Deferred income taxes

     7,860          7,262    

Stock-based compensation (Note 2)

     3,172          1,426    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Other receivables

     (1,140)         (1,734)   

Merchandise inventories

     (9,812)         (11,528)   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,559)         (1,409)   

Other non-current assets

     (118)         3    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (878)         9,702    

Income taxes payable

     (60)         (47)   

Deferred rent

     2,741          2,391    

Other long-term liabilities

     (99)         (100)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     30,417          31,981    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements

     (21,785)         (22,366)   

Investment in marketable securities

     —             (51,263)   

Proceeds from maturity of marketable securities

     25,000          —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     3,215          (73,629)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,071          206    

Conversion inducement fee (Note 3)

     —             (700)   

Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants

     —             4,271    

Repurchase of common stock

     (53,860)         (8,205)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (52,789)         (4,428)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (19,157)         (46,076)   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     125,362          161,693    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

    $ 106,205        $ 115,617    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

     

Cash paid during the period for:

     

Interest

    $ 53        $ 52    

Income taxes

    $ 1,996        $ 597    

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:

     

Conversion of secured convertible notes into 3,111,111 shares of Class A common stock

    $ —           $ 5,658    

Conversion of convertible preferred stock into 537,000 shares of Class A common stock

    $ —           $ 1,611    

Retirement of treasury shares

    $ 91,746        $ —       

Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements unpaid at end of period

    $ 4,256        $ 9,628    

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

    $ (5)       $ (12)   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies, and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Basis of Presentation

The information set forth in these condensed consolidated financial statements is unaudited. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results of operations for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2012. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Wet Seal, Inc. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.

Significant Accounting Policies

Short-Term and Long-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments consist of interest-bearing corporate bonds that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, have maturities that are less than one year and are carried at amortized cost plus accrued income. Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost due to the Company’s intent to hold to maturity. Short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were $25.1 million and $25.4 million at October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. Long-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were $25.9 million at October 30, 2010. Any unrealized gains or losses on held-to-maturity investments are considered temporary and are not recorded unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred. Factors considered that could result in the necessity to impair include intention to sell, more likely than not being required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis and whether the Company expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The Company has considered all impairment factors and has determined that an other than temporary impairment has not occurred as of October 29, 2011.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Factors that are considered important that could result in the necessity to perform an impairment review include a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses and a projection or forecast that indicates continuing losses or insufficient income associated with the realization of a long-lived asset or asset group. Other factors include a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a significant negative industry or economic trend. This evaluation is performed based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows from operating activities compared with the carrying value of the related assets. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized, measured by the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the assets, based on discounted cash flows using the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. The Company has considered all relevant valuation techniques that could be obtained without undue cost and effort and has determined that the discounted cash flow approach continues to provide the most relevant and reliable means by which to determine fair value in this circumstance.

At least quarterly, the Company assesses whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The Company’s evaluations during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, indicated that operating losses or insufficient operating income existed at certain retail stores, with a projection that the operating losses or insufficient operating income for those locations would continue. As such, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $0.7 million, $2.0 million, $1.6 million and $2.7 million during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively, within asset impairment in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, to write down the carrying values of these stores’ long-lived assets to their estimated fair values.

 

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Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies, and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (Continued)

 

The estimation of future cash flows from operating activities requires significant estimates of factors that include future sales growth and gross margin performance. If the Company’s sales growth, gross margin performance or other estimated operating results are not achieved at or above its forecasted level, or inflation exceeds the Company’s forecast and the Company is unable to recover such costs through price increases, the carrying value of certain of its retail stores may prove to be unrecoverable and the Company may incur additional impairment charges in the future.

Income Taxes

The Company began fiscal 2011 with approximately $93.5 million of federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards available to offset taxable income in fiscal 2011 and thereafter, subject to certain annual limitations based on the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Company’s effective income tax rate for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was approximately 39%. The Company expects a 39% effective income tax rate for fiscal 2011. Due to its expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2011, the Company anticipates cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 4.8% of pre-tax income, representing the portion of federal and state alternative minimum taxes and state regular income taxes that cannot be offset by NOLs. The difference between the effective income tax rate and the anticipated cash income taxes is recorded as a non-cash provision for deferred income taxes.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance and clarifications for improving disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance requires enhanced disclosures regarding transfers in and out of the levels within the fair value hierarchy. Separate disclosures are required for transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements, and the reasons for the transfers must be disclosed. In the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements, separate disclosures are required for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Effective January 31, 2010, the Company adopted the new and updated guidance for disclosures, aside from that deferred to periods after December 15, 2010, and this did not significantly impact its consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted the remaining guidance on disclosures effective January 30, 2011, and this did not significantly impact its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the application of fair value accounting where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within GAAP. The amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Amendments include those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments to result in a change in the application of the requirements. This guidance is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have any effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies, and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted (Continued)

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The amendments provide an entity with an option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company has not yet selected which presentation option it will apply. The adoption of this guidance will effect the presentation of its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation

The Company had one stock incentive plan under which shares were available for grant at October 29, 2011: the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The Company also previously granted share awards under its 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”) and the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) that remain unvested and/or unexercised as of October 29, 2011; however, the 1996 Plan expired during fiscal 2006 and the 2000 Plan expired during fiscal 2009, and no further share awards may be granted under the 1996 Plan and 2000 Plan. The 2005 Plan, the 2000 Plan, and the 1996 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Plans.”

The 2005 Plan permits the granting of options, restricted common stock, performance shares, or other equity-based awards to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and consultants. The Company believes the granting of equity-based awards helps to align the interests of its employees, officers and directors with those of its stockholders. The Company has a practice of issuing new shares to satisfy stock option exercises, as well as for restricted stock and performance share grants. The 2005 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on January 10, 2005, as amended with stockholder approval on July 20, 2005, for the issuance of incentive awards covering 12,500,000 shares of Class A common stock. Additionally, an amended and restated 2005 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 19, 2010, which increased the incentive awards capacity to 17,500,000 shares of Class A common stock. An aggregate of 22,698,028 shares of Class A common stock have been issued or may be issued pursuant to the Plans. As of October 29, 2011, 2,819,254 shares were available for future grants.

Options

The Plans provide that the per-share exercise price of a stock option may not be less than the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date the option is granted. Under the Plans, outstanding options generally vest over periods ranging from three to five years from the grant date and generally expire from five to ten years after the grant date. Certain stock option and other equity-based awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plans). The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company uses historical data, the implied volatility of market-traded options and other factors to estimate the expected price volatility, option lives, and forfeiture rates.

The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and the estimated life of the option. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the periods indicated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
    October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
 

Dividend Yield

     0.00     0.00     0.00     0.00

Expected Volatility

     54.00     59.00     54.00     59.00

Risk-Free Interest Rate

     0.51     0.90     0.96     0.95

Expected Life of Options (in Years)

     3.3        3.3        3.3        3.3   

The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.3 million, $0.8 million, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, in each case less than $0.01 per basic and diluted share, related to stock options outstanding during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

At October 29, 2011, there was $3.2 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options under the Company’s share-based payment plans, which will be recognized over an average period of 2.6 years, representing the remaining vesting periods of such options through fiscal 2014.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities with respect to its Plans for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, as follows (aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):

 

Options

   Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding at January 29, 2011

     3,280,857      $ 5.26         

Granted

     993,000        4.16         

Exercised

     (334,334     3.20         

Canceled

     (592,865     7.74         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at October 29, 2011

     3,346,658        4.70         4.43       $ 1,356   

Vested and expected to vest in the future at October 29, 2011

     2,858,114        4.85         4.27         1,145   

Exercisable at October 29, 2011

     920,361      $ 7.05         1.94       $ 233   

Options vested and expected to vest in the future is comprised of all options outstanding at October 29, 2011, net of estimated forfeitures. Additional information regarding stock options outstanding as of October 29, 2011, is as follows:

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
as of
October 29,
2011
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
     Number
Exercisable
as of
October 29,
2011
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
 

$ 1.81 - $  2.93

     32,500         2.68       $ 2.78         22,500       $ 2.71   

   2.96 -     4.44

     2,692,968         5.14         3.78         341,339         3.68   

   4.50 -     6.82

     288,690         1.88         5.86         224,022         6.20   

   7.21 -   10.95

     222,000         1.30         8.19         222,000         8.19   

 11.49 -   19.90

     93,000         0.66         16.78         93,000         16.78   

 23.02 -   23.02

     17,500         0.59         23.02         17,500         23.02   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

$ 1.81 - $23.02

     3,346,658         4.43       $ 4.70         920,361       $ 7.05   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, was $1.61, $1.55, $1.25 and $1.30, respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, was $0.2 million, $0.5 million, less than $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under all Plans for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, was $1.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The Company did not realize tax benefits for the tax deductions from option exercises as it must first utilize its regular NOL prior to realizing the excess tax benefits.

Restricted Common Stock and Performance Shares

Under the 2005 Plan, the Company grants directors, certain executives, and other key employees restricted common stock with vesting contingent upon completion of specified service periods ranging from one to three years. The Company also grants certain executives and other key employees performance share awards with vesting contingent upon a combination of specified service periods and the Company’s achievement of specified common stock price levels.

During the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, the Company granted 431,388 and 472,700 shares, respectively, of restricted common stock to certain employees and directors under the Plans. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the restricted common stock granted during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, was $3.87 and $3.22 per share, respectively. The Company recorded approximately $0.4 million, $1.0 million, $0.4 million and $1.1 million of compensation expense related to outstanding shares of restricted common stock held by employees and directors during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

During the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, the Company granted 400,000 and no performance shares, respectively, under the 2005 Plan. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the performance share grants made during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, which included consideration of the probability of such shares vesting, was $3.08 per share. The Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $0.5 million, $1.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively, related to performance shares granted to officers.

The fair value of nonvested restricted common stock awards is equal to the closing trading price of the Company’s Class A common stock on the grant date. The fair value of nonvested performance shares is determined based on a number of factors, including the closing trading price of the Company’s Class A common stock and the estimated probability of achieving the Company’s stock price performance conditions as of the grant date. The following table summarizes activity with respect to the Company’s nonvested restricted common stock and performance shares for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011:

 

Nonvested Restricted Common Stock and Performance Shares

   Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 

Nonvested at January 29, 2011

     2,061,212      $ 3.06   

Granted

     831,388      $ 3.49   

Vested

     (257,302   $ 3.28   

Forfeited

     (80,620   $ 4.06   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at October 29, 2011

     2,554,678      $ 3.16   
  

 

 

   

The fair value of restricted common stock and performance shares that vested during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was $1.0 million.

At October 29, 2011, there was $5.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted common stock and performance shares under the Company’s share-based payment plans, of which $3.1 million relates to restricted common stock and $2.4 million relates to performance shares. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. These estimates utilize subjective assumptions about expected forfeiture rates, which could change over time. Therefore, the amount of unrecognized compensation expense noted above does not necessarily represent the expense that will ultimately be recognized by the Company in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

     13 Weeks Ended      39 Weeks Ended  
     October 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
     October 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
 

Cost of sales

   $ 98       $ 67       $ 189       $ (63

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     1,114         740         2,983         1,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

   $ 1,212       $ 807       $ 3,172       $ 1,426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 3 – Senior Revolving Credit Facility, Secured Convertible Notes, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Common Stock Warrants

On February 3, 2011, the Company renewed, via amendment and restatement, its $35.0 million senior revolving credit facility with its existing lender (the “Facility”), which can be increased up to $50.0 million in the absence of any default and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent specified in the Facility. The Facility expires in February 2016. Under the Facility, the Company is subject to borrowing base limitations on the amount that can be borrowed and certain customary covenants, including, under certain circumstances, covenants limiting the ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and acquisitions, grant liens, pay dividends, repurchase its Class A common stock, close stores, and dispose of assets, without the lender’s consent. The ability of the Company to borrow and request the issuance of letters of credit is subject to the requirement that the Company maintain an excess of the borrowing base over the outstanding credit extensions of the greater of 10% of the aggregate amount of the Facility or $4.0 million. The annual interest rate on the revolving line of credit under the Facility is (i) the higher of the lender’s prime rate, the Federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the one month London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.0%, collectively referred to as the “Base Rate”, plus the applicable margin ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% or, (ii) if the Company elects, either the one, two, three or six months LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%. The applicable Base Rate or LIBOR margin is based on the level of average excess availability, as defined under the Facility, at the time of election, as adjusted quarterly. The Company also incurs fees on outstanding letters of credit under the Facility at an annual rate equal to the applicable LIBOR margin for standby letters of credit and 23.0% of the applicable LIBOR margin for commercial letters of credit. Additionally, the Company is subject to commitment fees at an annual rate of 0.25% on the unused portion of the line of credit under the Facility.

Borrowings under the Facility are secured by cash, cash equivalents, investments, receivables and inventory held by the Company and two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, The Wet Seal Retail, Inc. and Wet Seal Catalog, Inc., each of which may be a borrower under the Facility.

At October 29, 2011, the amount outstanding under the Facility consisted of $5.6 million in open documentary letters of credit related to merchandise purchases and $1.3 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, and the Company had $28.1 million available under the Facility for cash advances and/or the issuance of additional letters of credit.

At October 29, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all covenant requirements related to the Facility.

During the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, investors in the Company’s previously outstanding Secured Convertible Notes (the “Notes”) converted $4.7 million of the Notes into 3,111,111 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. As a result of these conversions, the Company recorded non-cash interest charges of $2.1 million during the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, to write-off a ratable portion of unamortized debt discount and deferred financing costs associated with the Notes. Additionally, a ratable portion of accrued interest of $1.0 million was forfeited by a holder when the Notes were converted and it was written off to paid-in capital. The Company also provided the holder with a $0.7 million conversion inducement, which was recorded as an interest charge during the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010. The Company also repurchased an insignificant remaining Note balance from another holder. As a result of these transactions, there were no longer any Notes outstanding as of October 30, 2010, and there was a satisfaction and discharge of the Company’s obligations under the indenture governing the Notes.

During the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, certain investors exercised portions of outstanding common stock warrants, resulting in the issuance of 1,160,715 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock in exchange for $4.3 million of proceeds to the Company.

During the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, investors in the Company’s Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) converted $1.6 million of Preferred Stock into 537,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. As a result of this transaction, there was no longer any Preferred Stock outstanding as of October 30, 2010.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and in the principal or most advantageous market for that asset or liability. Fair value is calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity. In addition, the fair value of liabilities includes consideration of non-performance risk, including the Company’s own credit risk.

Inputs used in measuring fair value are prioritized into a three-level hierarchy based on whether the inputs to those measurements are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The fair-value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available and consists of the following levels:

 

   

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets; and

 

   

Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

The following tables present fair value measurements of items held at cost for the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):

 

     Carrying
Amount
at October 29,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 106,205       $ 11,916       $ 94,289       $ —     

Short-term investments

     25,056         —           25,059         —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     855         —           —           855   
     Carrying
Amount
at January 29,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 125,362       $ 31,738       $ 93,624       $ —     

Short-term investments

     50,690         —           50,686         —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     798         —           —           798   
     Carrying
Amount
at October 30,
2010
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 115,617       $ 22,435       $ 93,182       $ —     

Short-term investments

     25,350         —           25,347         —     

Long-term investments

     25,919         —           25,904         —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     780         —           —           780   

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value, due to their short term maturities. Certain money market funds are valued through the use of quoted market prices and are represented as Level 1. Other money market funds are valued at $1, which is generally the net asset value of these funds and are represented at Level 2. Units are redeemable on a daily basis and redemption requests generally can be received the same day as the effective date. The Company’s short-term investments consist of interest-bearing corporate bonds that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, have maturities that are less than one year and are carried at amortized cost plus accrued income. Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost due to the Company’s intent to hold to maturity. The fair value of the Company’s short-term investments is determined based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets. The Company believes the carrying amounts of other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value. The fair value of the long-term tenant allowance receivables was determined by discounting them to present value using an incremental borrowing rate of 9.26%, at the time of recording, over their five year collection period, and they are included in other assets within the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Continued)

 

The table below segregates all non-financial assets and liabilities as of October 29, 2011, January 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date:

 

     Carrying
Amount
at October 29,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
     Total Gains
(Losses)
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 93,989       $ —         $ —         $ 93,989       $ (2,049
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 93,989       $ —         $ —         $ 93,989       $ (2,049
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Carrying
Amount
at January 29,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
        
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3         

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 88,720       $ —         $ —         $ 88,720      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total assets

   $ 88,720       $ —         $ —         $ 88,720      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     Carrying
Amount
at October 30,
2010
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
     Total Gains
(Losses)
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 91,824       $ —         $ —         $ 91,824       $ (2,726
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 91,824       $ —         $ —         $ 91,824       $ (2,726
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company performs impairment tests whenever there are indicators of impairment. Refer to Note 1 for further information.

NOTE 5 – Net Income Per Share

Net income per share, basic, is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including consideration of the two-class method with respect to certain of the Company’s other equity securities (see below). Net income per share, diluted, is computed based on the weighted-average number of common and potentially dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding for the period, also with consideration given to the two-class method.

The dilutive effect of stock warrants was determined using the “treasury stock” method, whereby exercise is assumed at the beginning of the reporting period and proceeds from such exercise are assumed to be used to purchase the Company’s Class A common stock at the average market price during the period. The dilutive effect of stock options is also determined using the “treasury stock” method, whereby proceeds from such exercise, unamortized compensation on share-based awards, and excess tax benefits arising in connection with share-based compensation are assumed to be used to purchase the Class A common stock at the average market price during the period.

The Notes and Preferred Stock were convertible into shares of Class A common stock. Both of these securities included rights whereby, upon payment of dividends or other distributions to Class A common stockholders, the Notes and Preferred Stock would participate ratably in such distributions based on the number of common shares into which such securities were convertible at that time. Because of these rights, the Notes and Preferred Stock were considered to be participating securities requiring the use of the two-class method for the computation of earnings per share. For the dilutive computation, under the two-class method, determination of whether the Notes and Preferred Stock were dilutive was based on the application of the “if-converted” method. Although the Notes and Preferred Stock were fully converted and represented Class A common shares outstanding as of October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, they were included in the computation of diluted earnings for the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, with respect to the period they were outstanding prior to conversion. For the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, the effect of the Notes and Preferred Stock was not dilutive to the computation of diluted earnings per share.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 – Net Income Per Share (Continued)

 

While the Company historically has paid no cash dividends, participants in the Company’s equity compensation plans who were granted restricted stock and performance shares are allowed to receive cash dividends paid on unvested restricted stock and unvested performance shares. The Company’s unvested restricted stock and unvested performance shares also qualify as participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. For the dilutive computation, under the two-class method, determination of whether the unvested share-based payment awards are dilutive is based on the application of the “treasury stock” method and whether the performance criteria has been met. For the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, the effect of the unvested share-based payment awards was anti-dilutive to the computation of diluted earnings per share.

The two-class method requires allocation of undistributed earnings per share among the common stock, Notes, Preferred Stock and unvested share-based payment awards based on the dividend and other distribution participation rights under each of these securities. The following table summarizes the allocation of undistributed earnings among common stock and other participating securities using the two-class method and reconciles the weighted average common shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except share data):

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010  
     Net Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
     Net Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Basic earnings per share:

               

Net income

   $ 3,748            $ 2,561        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     (107           (40     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 3,641        88,146,378       $ 0.04       $ 2,521        99,927,566       $ 0.03   
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

               

Net income

   $ 3,748            $ 2,561        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     (106           (40     

Effect of dilutive securities

       98,477              23,224      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 3,642        88,244,855       $ 0.04       $ 2,521        99,950,790       $ 0.03   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     39 Weeks Ended  
     October 29, 2011      October 30, 2010  
     Net Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
     Net Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Basic earnings per share:

               

Net income

   $ 13,959            $ 7,318        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     (359           (170     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 13,600        94,265,017       $ 0.14       $ 7,148        99,146,895       $ 0.07   
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

               

Net income

   $ 13,959            $ 7,318        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     (358           (169     

Effect of dilutive securities

       86,408              299,182      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 13,601        94,351,425       $ 0.14       $ 7,149        99,446,077       $ 0.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 – Net Income Per Share (Continued)

 

The computations of diluted earnings per share excluded the following potentially dilutive securities exercisable or convertible into Class A common stock for the periods indicated because their effect would not have been dilutive.

 

     13-Week Period Ended      39-Week Period Ended  
     October 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
     October 29,
2011
     October 30,
2010
 

Stock options outstanding

     2,598,282         1,970,107         2,466,663         1,900,023   

Performance shares and nonvested restricted stock awards

     2,588,704         1,594,590         2,485,530         1,582,784   

Stock issuable upon conversion of secured convertible notes

     —           —           —           660,969   

Stock issuable upon conversion of preferred stock

     —           —           —           112,121   

Stock issuable upon exercise of Series E warrants

     —           4,931,401         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,186,986         8,496,098         4,952,193         4,255,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 6 – Commitments and Contingencies

On July 19, 2006, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles on behalf of certain of the Company’s current and former employees that were employed and paid by the Company on an hourly basis during the four-year period from July 19, 2002 through July 19, 2006. The Company was named as a defendant. The complaint alleged various violations under the State of California Labor Code, the State of California Business and Professions Code, and orders issued by the Industrial Welfare Commission. On November 30, 2006, the Company reached an agreement to pay approximately $0.3 million to settle this matter, subject to Superior Court approval. On September 27, 2010, the Superior Court granted final approval of the settlement agreement. An appeal was subsequently filed on January 26, 2011. As of October 29, 2011, the Company has accrued an amount equal to the settlement amount in accrued liabilities in its condensed consolidated balance sheet.

On May 22, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange on behalf of certain of the Company’s current and former employees who were employed and paid by the Company from May 22, 2003 through the present. The Company was named as a defendant. The complaint alleged various violations under the State of California Labor Code, the State of California Business and Professions Code, and Wage Orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. On December 17, 2010, the court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification and Motion For Leave to File An Amended Complaint. Plaintiffs have appealed both orders. The Company is vigorously defending this litigation and is unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On September 29, 2008, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Francisco on behalf of certain of the Company’s current and former employees who were employed and paid by the Company from September 29, 2004 through the present. The Company was named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. On August 16, 2011, the court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification. Plaintiffs have appealed. The Company is vigorously defending this litigation and is unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On April 24, 2009, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) requested information and records relevant to several charges of discrimination by the Company against employees of the Company. In the course of this investigation, the EEOC served a subpoena seeking information related to current and former employees throughout the United States. In April 2010, the EEOC filed an application to enforce the subpoena in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and is in the process of a nationwide investigation. The Company is awaiting the results of the investigation and is unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 – Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

On May 9, 2011, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda on behalf of certain of the Company’s current and former employees who were employed and paid by the Company from May 9, 2007 through the present. The Company was named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. The Company has filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration and, in the alternative, a Motion to Transfer Venue to the County of Orange, in which the action dated May 22, 2007 is pending. Each of these motions is currently pending. The Company is vigorously defending this litigation and is unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On October 27, 2011 a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles on behalf of certain of the Company’s current and former employees who were employed in California during the time period from October 27, 2007 through the present. The Company was named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. The Company is vigorously defending this litigation and is unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

From time to time, the Company is involved in other litigation matters relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The Company believes that, in the event of a settlement or an adverse judgment on certain of these claims, the Company has insurance coverage to cover a portion of such losses; however, certain other matters may exist or arise for which the Company does not have insurance coverage. As of October 29, 2011, except as described in the paragraphs above, the Company was not engaged in any other legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

NOTE 7 – Segment Reporting

The Company operates exclusively in the retail apparel industry in which it sells fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items, primarily through mall-based chains of retail stores, to female consumers with a young, active lifestyle. The Company has identified two operating segments (“Wet Seal” and “Arden B”). Internet operations for Wet Seal and Arden B are included in their respective operating segments.

Information for the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, for the two reportable segments is set forth below (in thousands, except percentages):

 

13 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 131,216      $ 20,919      $ —        $ 152,135   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     86     14     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 13,667      $ (1,011   $ (6,527   $ 6,129   

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 4,032      $ 528      $ 387      $ 4,947   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 57      $ 57   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ 41      $ 41   

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   $ 13,667      $ (1,011   $ (6,511   $ 6,145   

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – Segment Reporting (Continued)

 

13 Weeks Ended October 30, 2010

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 125,475      $ 20,926      $ —        $ 146,401   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     86     14     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 12,509      $ 117      $ (7,561   $ 5,065   

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 3,732      $ 371      $ 224      $ 4,327   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 84      $ 84   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ 27      $ 27   

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   $ 12,509      $ 117      $ (7,504   $ 5,122   

39 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 387,302      $ 69,643      $ —        $ 456,945   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     85     15     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 42,760      $ 3,000      $ (22,980   $ 22,780   

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 11,744      $ 1,572      $ 1,111      $ 14,427   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 195      $ 195   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ 128      $ 128   

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   $ 42,760      $ 3,000      $ (22,913   $ 22,847   

39 Weeks Ended October 30, 2010

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 348,260      $ 67,444      $ —        $ 415,704   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     84     16     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 33,054      $ 6,029      $ (21,445   $ 17,638   

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 10,500      $ 1,111      $ 704      $ 12,315   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 243      $ 243   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ 3,019      $ 3,019   

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   $ 33,054      $ 6,029      $ (24,221   $ 14,862   

The “Corporate and Unallocated” column is presented solely to allow for reconciliation of segment contribution to consolidated operating income, interest income, interest expense and income before provision for income taxes. Wet Seal and Arden B segment results include net sales, cost of sales, asset impairment and other direct store and field management expenses, with no allocation of corporate overhead or interest income and expense. The application of accounting policies for segment reporting is consistent with the application of accounting policies for corporate reporting.

Wet Seal operating income during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, includes $0.2 million, $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of asset impairment charges.

Arden B operating income during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, includes $0.5 million, $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of asset impairment charges.

Corporate and Unallocated expenses during the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, include non-cash interest expense of $2.1 million as a result of accelerated write-off of remaining unamortized debt discount and deferred financing costs upon conversion of Notes and $0.7 million of interest expense for a conversion inducement associated with conversions of Notes and Preferred Stock.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 8 – Treasury Stock

On September 7, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the outstanding shares of its Class A common stock from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. On May 17, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $31.7 million increase to this stock repurchase program, bringing the repurchase authorization up to $56.7 million. Up to June 13, 2011, the timing and number of shares repurchased were determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Effective June 13, 2011, the Company began to execute under this program pursuant to a securities purchase plan established by the Company under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1.

During the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, the Company repurchased 12,093,482 shares of its Class A common stock at an average market price of $4.43 per share, for a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $53.7 million, bringing the total repurchased under this program of 12,975,782 shares of its Class A common stock at a total of $56.7 million, completing the stock repurchase program. Additionally, employees of the Company tendered 28,394 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock upon restricted stock vesting to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations for a total cost of approximately $0.2 million.

Effective August 16, 2011, the Company retired 24,242,219 shares of its Class A common stock held in treasury. In accordance with Delaware law and the terms of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, upon retirement, such treasury shares resumed the status of authorized and unissued shares of Company common stock.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and/or which include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance, ongoing strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be provided by our management, are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about the Company, economic and market factors and the industry in which we do business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Factors that could cause our actual performance, future results and actions to differ materially from any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report of Form 10-Q.

All references to “we,” “our,” “us,” and “the Company” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mean The Wet Seal, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Executive Overview

We are a national specialty retailer operating stores selling fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items designed for female customers aged 13 to 35 years old. We operate two nationwide, primarily mall-based, chains of retail stores under the names “Wet Seal” and “Arden B.” As of October 29, 2011, we operated 550 retail stores in 47 states and Puerto Rico. Our products can also be purchased online through the websites of each of our operating segments, Wet Seal and Arden B.

We consider the following to be key performance indicators in evaluating our performance:

Comparable store sales—For purposes of measuring comparable store sales, sales include merchandise sales as well as membership fee revenues recognized under our Wet Seal division’s frequent buyer program during the applicable period. Stores are deemed comparable stores on the first day of the month following the one-year anniversary of their opening or significant remodel/relocation, which we define to be a square footage increase or decrease of at least 20%. Stores that are remodeled or relocated with a resulting square footage change of less than 20% are maintained in the comparable store base with no interruption. However, stores that are closed for four or more days in a fiscal month, due to remodel, relocation or other reasons, are removed from the comparable store base for that fiscal month as well as for the comparable fiscal month in the following fiscal year. Comparable store sales results are important in achieving operating leverage on expenses such as store payroll, occupancy, depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, and other costs that are at least partially fixed. Positive comparable store sales results generate greater operating leverage on expenses while negative comparable store sales results negatively affect operating leverage. Comparable store sales results also have a direct impact on our total net sales, cash, and working capital.

Average transaction counts—We consider the trend in the average number of sales transactions occurring in our stores to be a key performance metric. To the extent we are able to increase transaction counts in our stores that more than offset the decrease, if any, in the average dollar sale per transaction, we will generate increases in our comparable store sales.

Gross margins—We analyze the components of gross margin, specifically cumulative mark-on, markups, markdowns, shrink, buying costs, distribution costs, and store occupancy costs. Any inability to obtain acceptable levels of initial markups, a significant increase in our use of markdowns or in inventory shrink, or an inability to generate sufficient sales leverage on other components of cost of sales could have an adverse impact on our gross margin results and results of operations.

Operating income—We view operating income as a key indicator of our financial success. The key drivers of operating income are comparable store sales, gross margins, and the changes we experience in operating costs.

Cash flow and liquidity (working capital)—We evaluate cash flow from operations, liquidity and working capital to determine our short-term operational financing needs.

 

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Business Segments

We operate two nationwide, primarily mall-based, chains of retail stores under the names “Wet Seal” and “Arden B.” Although the two operating segments have many similarities in their products, production processes, distribution methods, and regulatory environment, there are differences in most of these areas and distinct differences in their economic characteristics. As a result, we consider these segments to be two distinct reportable segments.

Wet Seal. Wet Seal is a junior apparel brand for teenage girls who seek fashionable clothing at a value, with a target customer age range of 13 to 19 years old. Wet Seal seeks to provide its customer base with a balance of fashionable and fashion basic apparel and accessories that are affordably priced.

Arden B. Arden B is a fashion brand at value price points for the contemporary woman. Arden B targets customers aged 25 to 35 years old and seeks to deliver unique contemporary fashion and fashion basic separates and accessories for various aspects of the customers’ lifestyles.

We maintain a Web-based store located at www.wetseal.com, offering Wet Seal merchandise comparable to that carried in our stores, to customers over the Internet. We also maintain a Web-based store located at www.ardenb.com, offering Arden B merchandise comparable to that carried in our stores, to customers over the Internet. Our online stores are designed to serve as an extension of the in-store experience and offer a wide selection of merchandise, with the goal of expanding both online and in-store sales. We continue to develop our Wet Seal and Arden B websites to increase their effectiveness in marketing our brands. We do not consider our Web-based business to be a distinct reportable segment. The Wet Seal and Arden B reportable segments include, in addition to data from their respective stores, data from their respective Internet operations.

See Note 7 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for financial information regarding segment reporting, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Current Trends and Outlook

Our third quarter financial results were comparable with the prior year. The overall retail environment continues to be volatile, driven by several factors, including uncertainty regarding the economy, the lack of significant improvement in the U.S. housing market and high unemployment rates across all regions of the U.S. Gross domestic product growth in the U.S. has been modest, unemployment rates remain high in the teen segment and throughout the U.S. overall, and we continue to experience a volatile, and generally weak, retail environment. As a result, the third quarter of fiscal 2011 represented a very aggressive promotional environment with consumer spending heavily focused on promotion and clearance buying, which contributed to a slowdown in our rate of merchandise margin improvement as compared to the first half of this year. In addition, we began to experience increased sourcing costs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and have seen further cost increases through third quarter of fiscal 2011 as a result of rising commodity prices, primarily for cotton, increased labor costs due to labor shortages in China, from which a majority of our merchandise is sourced, and increased fuel costs. We expect these sourcing cost pressures to continue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The rising value of the currency in China relative to the U.S. dollar may also have a further impact on future product costs.

Our performance is subject to general economic conditions and their impact on levels of consumer confidence and consumer spending. Consumer purchases of discretionary items, including our merchandise, generally decline during periods when disposable income is adversely affected or there is economic uncertainty. As a result of the continued difficult economic conditions, we may face risks that will impact many facets of our operations, including, among other things, the ability of one or more of our vendors to deliver their merchandise in a timely manner or otherwise meet their obligations to us. Although we believe we are sufficiently prepared and financially strong enough to endure continued poor economic conditions in the U.S. and world economic markets, if such conditions become more volatile, or if they deteriorate further, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Our comparable store sales decreased 0.9% during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, driven by a 0.1% comparable store sales decrease in our Wet Seal division and a 6.3% comparable store sales decrease in our Arden B division. The Wet Seal division’s comparable store sales decrease was primarily driven by an decrease in transaction volume, partially offset by an increase in average dollar sales per transaction, driven by an increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a decrease in average unit selling price. At Wet Seal, after positive momentum continued in our business through the back-to-school shopping period through August and into early September, business became more challenging as we transitioned to fall, as our merchandise assortment for the season did not perform to our expectations. We also eliminated Halloween costumes and related merchandise from our Wet Seal stores this year, which we believe was an appropriate strategic decision to allow us to maintain a more brand-right fashion assortment in the stores, but also challenged sales results in October. The

 

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Arden B division comparable store sales decrease was primarily driven by a decline in transaction volume and units purchased per customer, partially offset by an increase in its average dollar sales per transaction, driven by an increase in average unit selling price. At Arden B, our dress and jewelry businesses were strong, but performance was below our expectations in other apparel and accessory categories. Our combined online sales declined 23% and 9% during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, respectively, from the prior year as we continued an initiative to reduce promotional levels and rebalance inventories more toward regular price versus clearance items in the online channel in an effort to better align online presentation with that of the stores.

We made progress on several key initiatives during the third quarter of fiscal 2011. We continued to drive merchandise margin improvement versus the prior year in both the Wet Seal and Arden B divisions, despite increasing merchandise costs and the promotional competitive environment in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, by effectively planning and managing the level and depth of promotional markdowns. We also remained focused on providing clearer promotional messaging in the stores.

Our top near-term strategic priority is to drive sales productivity improvement in our stores. To support sales productivity growth, we have established specific initiatives, including developing a culture of customer obsession, understanding and redefining our brands, evaluating our store designs to support our brands and enhance our customers’ shopping experience and focusing on increasing store personnel productivity through new training programs and streamlined operational tasks. Higher store productivity would allow us to attain higher positive comparable store sales growth. Other strategic priorities include continuing to improve upon Wet Seal merchandise margins, building upon the Arden B business to allow it to reach its full potential, and expanding our existing retail store base and online businesses. We are also focused on improving gross margins by optimizing sourcing of merchandise, enhancing our inventory planning and allocation functions and improving supply chain efficiency through better coordination among and within our vendor base, internal distribution and store operation organizations. Although we have embarked on the strategic initiatives and priorities above, there is much work ahead of us to ensure the successful implementation of our strategy and to realize significant benefits to the business.

Store Openings and Closures

We continued to execute our store growth strategy by opening 19 new Wet Seal stores and closing five Wet Seal stores, and opening four new Arden B stores and closing one Arden B store, during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011. We currently plan to open a total of 28 Wet Seal stores in fiscal 2011 with a focus on malls and to a lesser extent, off-mall power center locations, and plan to close a total of six Wet Seal stores in fiscal 2011 upon certain lease expirations.

We also currently intend to continue growing the Arden B store base conservatively, with approximately four new stores and one store closure planned in fiscal 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the appropriate application of accounting policies, some of which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Since future events and their impact cannot be determined with absolute certainty, the actual results will inevitably differ from our estimates.

We believe the application of our accounting policies, and the estimates inherently required therein, are reasonable. Our accounting policies and estimates are reevaluated on an ongoing basis, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances dictate a change. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.

The policies and estimates discussed below involve the selection or application of alternative accounting policies that are material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

We have certain accounting policies that require more significant management judgment and estimates than others. These include our accounting policies with respect to revenue recognition, merchandise inventories, long-lived assets, stock-

 

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based compensation, accounting for income taxes and insurance reserves. There have been no significant additions to or modifications of the application of the critical accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011. The following updates the Form 10-K discussions of our critical accounting policies for short-term and long-term investments, long-lived assets and accounting for income taxes.

Short-Term and Long-Term Investments

Our short-term investments consist of interest-bearing corporate bonds that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, have maturities that are less than one year and are carried at amortized cost plus accrued income. Our short-term investments are carried at amortized cost due to our intent to hold to maturity. Short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were $25.1 million and $25.4 million at October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, respectively. Long-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were $25.9 million at October 30, 2010. Any unrealized gains or losses on held-to-maturity investments are considered temporary and are not recorded unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred. Factors considered that could result in the necessity to impair include intention to sell, more likely than not being required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis and whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. We have considered all impairment factors and have determined that an other than temporary impairment has not occurred as of October 29, 2011.

Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. Factors that are considered important that could result in the necessity to perform an impairment review include a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses and a projection or forecast that indicates continuing losses or insufficient income associated with the realization of a long-lived asset or asset group. Other factors include a significant change in the manner of the use of the asset or a significant negative industry or economic trend. This evaluation is performed based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows from operating activities compared with the carrying value of the related assets. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized, measured by the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the assets, based on discounted cash flows using our weighted average cost of capital. We have considered all relevant valuation techniques that could be obtained without undue cost and effort and have determined that the discounted cash flow approach continues to provide the most relevant and reliable means by which to determine fair value in this circumstance.

At least quarterly, we assess whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Our evaluations during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, indicated that operating losses or insufficient operating income existed at certain retail stores, with a projection that the operating losses or insufficient operating income for those locations would likely continue. As such, we recorded non-cash charges of $0.7 million, $2.0 million, $1.6 million and $2.7 million during the 13 and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, respectively, within asset impairment in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, to write down the carrying values of these stores’ long-lived assets to their estimated fair values.

The estimation of future cash flows from operating activities requires significant estimates of factors that include future sales growth and gross margin performance. If our sales growth, gross margin performance or other estimated operating results are not achieved at or above our forecasted level, or inflation exceeds our forecast and we are unable to recover such costs through price increases, the carrying value of certain of our retail stores may prove to be unrecoverable and we may incur additional impairment charges in the future.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We began fiscal 2011 with approximately $93.5 million of federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards available to offset taxable income in fiscal 2011 and thereafter, subject to certain annual limitations based on the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Our effective income tax rate for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was approximately 39%, which reflects our expected effective income tax rate for fiscal 2011. Due to our expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2011, we anticipate cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 4.8% of pre-tax income, representing the portion of federal and state alternative minimum taxes and state regular income taxes that cannot be offset by NOLs. The difference between the effective income tax rate and the anticipated cash income taxes is recorded as a non-cash provision for deferred incomes taxes.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance and clarifications for improving disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance requires enhanced disclosures regarding transfers in and out of the levels within the fair value hierarchy. Separate disclosures are required for transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements, and the reasons for the transfers must be disclosed. In the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements, separate disclosures are required for purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Effective January 31, 2010, we adopted the new and updated guidance for disclosures, aside from that deferred to periods after December 15, 2010, and this did not significantly impact our consolidated financial statements. We adopted the remaining guidance on disclosures effective January 30, 2011, and this did not significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the application of fair value accounting where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within GAAP. The amendments change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Amendments include those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, and change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments to result in a change in the application of the requirements. This guidance is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The amendments provide an entity with an option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011 and should be applied on a retrospective basis. We have not yet selected which presentation option we will apply. The adoption of this guidance will effect the presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected condensed consolidated statements of operations data as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated. The discussion that follows should be read in conjunction with the table below:

 

     As a Percentage of Net Sales
13 Weeks Ended
    As a Percentage of Net Sales
39 Weeks Ended
 
     October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
    October 29,
2011
    October 30,
2010
 

Net sales

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     69.5        69.6        68.1        69.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     30.5        30.4        31.9        30.8   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     26.0        25.8        26.5        25.9   

Asset impairment

     0.5        1.1        0.4        0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     4.0        3.5        5.0        4.2   

Interest income (expense), net

     0.0        0.0        0.0        (0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     4.0        3.5        5.0        3.6   

Provision for income taxes

     1.5        1.8        1.9        1.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     2.5     1.7     3.1     1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Thirteen Weeks Ended October 29, 2011, Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended October 30, 2010

Net sales

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
     Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
            ($ in millions)        

Net sales

   $ 152.1       $ 5.7         3.9   $ 146.4   

Comparable store sales decrease

           (0.9 )%   

Net sales for the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, increased primarily as a result of an increase in number of stores open, from 522 stores as of October 30, 2010, to 550 stores as of October 29, 2011.

However, the increase in net sales was partially offset by:

 

   

A decrease of 0.9% in comparable store sales resulting from a 7.9% decrease in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by an 8.1% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. Comparable store average dollar sales per transaction increased mainly due to a 13.1% increase in the number of units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 5.1% decrease in average unit retail prices; and

 

   

A decrease of $2.5 million in net sales for our internet business compared to the prior year, which is not a factor in calculating our comparable store sales.

Cost of sales

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
           ($ in millions)        

Cost of sales

   $ 105.8      $ 3.9         3.8   $ 101.9   

Percentage of net sales

     69.5        (0.1 )%      69.6

Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise; markdowns; inventory shortages; inventory valuation adjustments; inbound freight; payroll expenses associated with buying, planning and allocation; processing, receiving and other warehouse costs; rent and other occupancy costs; and depreciation and amortization expense associated with our stores and distribution center.

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales slightly decreased due primarily to (i) an increase in merchandise margin as a result of higher initial markup rates and favorable inventory shrink estimates in the Wet Seal division, partially offset by higher markdown rates in the Wet Seal division and slightly higher inventory shrink estimates in the Arden B division, and (ii) a decrease in distribution costs due to a decrease in temporary labor as a result of efficiencies gained from a merchandise sorting system installed in fiscal 2010. This decrease was offset by an increase in occupancy costs due to the deleveraging effect of negative comparable store sales as well as an increase in rent and common area maintenance for newly opened stores, partially offset by a reversal of a reserve for prior year common area maintenance adjustments upon conducting an annual review of such balances.

Cost of sales increased primarily due to the 3.9% increase in net sales and an increase in occupancy cost as a result of the increase in number of stores.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A)

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October  29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October  30, 2010
 
           ($ in millions)        

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

   $ 39.5      $ 1.6         4.3   $ 37.9   

Percentage of net sales

     26.0        0.2     25.8

Our SG&A expenses are comprised of two components. Selling expenses include store and field support costs, including personnel, advertising and merchandise delivery costs as well as online sales order fulfillment costs. General and administrative expenses include the cost of corporate functions such as executives, legal, finance and accounting, information systems, e-commerce management, human resources, real estate and construction, loss prevention and other centralized services.

 

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Selling expenses increased approximately $2.3 million from the prior year to $32.3 million. As a percentage of net sales, selling expense was 21.3% of net sales, or 80 basis points higher than a year ago.

The following contributed to the current year increase in selling expenses:

 

   

A $2.8 million increase in payroll and benefits costs as a result of increased sales volume and an increase in number of stores open, from 522 stores as of October 30, 2010, to 550 stores as of October 29, 2011;

 

   

A $0.1 million increase in store supplies due to increased sales volume and replenishment of low store stock levels; and

 

   

A $0.1 million net increase in advertising and marketing expenditures driven by a market research study being conducted to gain a better understanding of the Wet Seal and Arden B customer, offset by a decrease in internet marketing expenditures.

However, the increases in selling expenses were partially offset by the following decreases:

 

   

A $0.4 million decrease in internet production costs as a result of decreased internet sales volume;

 

   

A $0.2 million decrease in merchandise delivery costs due to a decrease in average product weight and lower air shipment costs, compared to the prior year; and

 

   

A $0.1 million decrease in other selling expenses.

General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $0.7 million from the prior year to $7.2 million. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 4.7%, or 60 basis points lower than a year ago.

The following contributed to the current year decrease in general and administrative expenses:

 

   

A $1.5 million reversal in corporate incentive bonuses due to a decline in estimated annual operating results, relative to incentive targets, during the quarter;

 

   

A $0.3 million decrease in legal fees associated with various legal matters;

 

   

A $0.2 million decrease in recruiting fees as the prior year included fees related to a search for our new chief executive officer; and

 

   

A $0.2 million increase in other income due to the receipt of insurance proceeds from a flooded Wet Seal store.

However, the decreases in general and administrative expenses were partially offset by the following increases:

 

   

A $0.6 million increase in corporate wages, primarily due to a new chief operating officer position and an increased wage base for our newly appointed chief executive officer, and an increase in internet wages due to growth in our internet infrastructure to support efforts to increase sales volume;

 

   

A $0.4 million increase in stock compensation expense, primarily due to an increase in executive stock compensation;

 

   

A $0.2 million increase in computer maintenance costs;

 

   

A $0.2 million increase in depreciation due to our recently implemented retail merchandising system; and

 

   

A $0.1 million net increase in other general and administrative expenses.

Asset impairment

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October  29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October  30, 2010
 
     ($ in millions)  

Asset impairment

   $ 0.7      $ (0.9     (54.0 )%    $ 1.6   

Percentage of net sales

     0.5       (0.6 )%      1.1

Based on our quarterly assessments of the carrying value of long-lived assets, during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, we identified certain retail stores with carrying values of their assets, including leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, in excess of such stores’ respective forecasted undiscounted cash flows. Accordingly, we reduced their respective carrying values to their estimated fair market values, resulting in non-cash charges of $0.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

 

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Interest income, net

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October  29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October  30, 2010
 
     ($ in millions)  

Interest income, net

   $ 0.0      $ (0.1     71.9   $ 0.1   

Percentage of net sales

     0.0       0.0     0.0

We generated interest income, net, of less than $0.1 million in the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, primarily from investments in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and we generated interest income, net, of $0.1 million in the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2010, primarily from cash and cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments.

Provision for income taxes

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
October  29, 2011
     Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
October  30, 2010
 
            ($ in millions)        

Provision for income taxes

   $ 2.4       $ (0.2     (6.4 )%    $ 2.6   

Our effective income tax rate for the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was approximately 39%, which approximates our expected effective rate for fiscal 2011. Due to our expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2011, we anticipate cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 4.8% of pre-tax income, representing the portion of federal and state alternative minimum taxes and state regular income taxes that cannot be offset by NOLs. The difference between the effective income tax rate and the anticipated cash income taxes is recorded as a non-cash provision for deferred income taxes.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2010, we incurred a 50% effective income tax rate, which was significantly higher than the rate in fiscal 2009 primarily as a result of the reversal of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance at the end of fiscal 2009. In addition, this rate was higher than that expected for future periods due to a $0.5 million non-cash deferred income tax charge in the third fiscal quarter due to a tax method change that resulted in the reduction of deferred tax assets related to charitable contribution carry forwards.

Segment Information

The following is a discussion of the operating results of our business segments. We consider each of our operating divisions to be a segment. In the tables below, Wet Seal and Arden B reportable segments include data from their respective stores and internet operations (internet operations is excluded from comparable store sales). Operating segment results include net sales, cost of sales, asset impairment and other direct store and field management expenses, with no allocation of corporate overhead or interest income or expense.

Wet Seal:

 

($ in thousands, except sales per square foot)

   13 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    13 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 

Net sales

   $ 131,216      $ 125,475   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     86     86

Comparable store sales percentage (decrease) increase compared to the prior year fiscal quarter

     (0.1 )%      0.4

Operating income

   $ 13,667      $ 12,509   

Sales per square foot

   $ 67      $ 68   

Number of stores as of quarter end

     464        444   

Square footage as of quarter end

     1,857        1,763   

The comparable store sales decrease during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was due primarily to a decrease of 7.8% in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by an increase of 8.8% in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. The increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from a 13.9% increase in

 

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units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 5.2% decrease in our average unit retail prices. The net sales increase was attributable to the increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year, partially offset by the comparable store sales decline and a $1.1 million decrease in net sales in our internet business.

Wet Seal’s operating income increased to 10.4% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, from 10.0% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2010. The increase in operating income, as a percentage of sales, was due primarily to a decrease in the write down of long-lived assets identified during our quarterly impairment evaluation, an increase in merchandise margin as a result of higher initial markup rates and a decrease in inventory shrink, partially offset by an increase in occupancy costs due to the deleveraging effect of negative comparable store sales as well as an increase rent and common area maintenance for newly opened stores, compared to the prior year. During the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, the asset impairment charges, as discussed above, were $0.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Arden B:

 

($ in thousands, except sales per square foot)

   13 Weeks 
Ended 
October 29, 2011
    13 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 

Net sales

   $ 20,919      $ 20,926   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     14     14

Comparable store sales percentage decrease compared to the prior year fiscal quarter

     (6.3 )%      (2.9 )% 

Operating (loss) income

   $ (1,011   $ 117   

Sales per square foot

   $ 74      $ 77   

Number of stores as of quarter end

     86        78   

Square footage as of quarter end

     266        234   

The comparable store sales decrease during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was due to a 10.1% decrease in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by a 4.2% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. The increase in the comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from a 9.4% increase in our average unit retail prices, partially offset by a 5.0% decrease in units purchased per customer. The net sales decrease was attributable to the comparable sales decline and a $1.4 million decrease in net sales in our internet business, partially offset by an increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year.

Arden B incurred an operating loss of 4.8% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, compared to operating income of 0.6% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended October 30, 2010. This decrease was due primarily to an increase in occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales due to the deleveraging effect of negative comparable store sales and an increase in store payroll and benefits costs as a result of increased operational activities and higher average hourly rates. Additionally, during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011 and October 30, 2010, operating income included asset impairment charges of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of long-lived assets that were identified during our quarterly impairment evaluations.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 29, 2011, Compared to Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 30, 2010

Net sales

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
     Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
            ($ in millions)        

Net sales

   $ 456.9       $ 41.2         9.9   $ 415.7   

Comparable store sales increase

           3.9  

Net sales for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, increased primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

An increase of 3.9% in comparable store sales resulting from a 6.1% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction, partially offset by a 1.6% decrease in comparable store average transactions. Comparable store average dollar sales per transaction increased mainly due to an 8.0% increase in the number of units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in average unit retail prices; and

 

   

An increase in number of stores open, from 522 stores as of October 30, 2010, to 550 stores as of October 29, 2011.

 

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However, the increase in net sales was partially offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in net sales for our internet business compared to the prior year, which is not a factor in calculating our comparable store sales.

Cost of sales

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
           ($ in millions)        

Cost of sales

   $ 311.1      $ 23.4         8.1   $ 287.7   

Percentage of net sales

     68.1        (1.1 )%      69.2

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased due primarily to an increase in merchandise margin as a result of lower markdown rates and favorable inventory shrink results in the Wet Seal division, partially offset by higher markdown rates and higher inventory shrink results in the Arden B division, as compared to the prior year, and a decrease in distribution costs as a result of efficiencies gained from our new merchandise sorter system.

Cost of sales increased primarily due to the 9.9% increase in net sales and an increase in occupancy cost as a result of the increase in number of stores.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A)

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
           ($ in millions)        

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

   $ 121.0      $ 13.4         12.4   $ 107.7   

Percentage of net sales

     26.5        0.6     25.9

Selling expenses increased approximately $10.8 million from the prior year to $96.3 million. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses were 21.1% of net sales, or 50 basis points higher than a year ago.

The following contributed to the current year increase in selling expenses:

 

   

A $8.8 million increase in store payroll and benefits costs as a result of increased sales volume and an increase in number of stores open, from 522 stores as of October 30, 2010, to 550 stores as of October 29, 2011;

 

   

A $0.6 million increase in store supplies due to increased sales volume and replenishment of low store stock levels;

 

   

A $0.5 million increase in merchandise delivery costs due to increased unit volume;

 

   

A $0.4 million increase in bags and boxes usage due to increased sales volume and replenishment of low store stock levels;

 

   

A $0.3 million increase in bad debt, credit card and bank fees due to increased sales volume, partially offset by a decline in average processing fees as a percent to sales; and

 

   

A $0.2 million net increase in advertising and marketing expenditures driven by a market research study being conducted to gain a better understanding of the Wet Seal and Arden B customer, offset by a decrease in internet marketing expenditures.

General and administrative expenses increased approximately $2.6 million from the prior year to $24.7 million. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 5.4%, or 10 basis points higher than a year ago.

The following contributed to the current year increase in general and administrative expenses:

 

   

A $1.6 million increase in stock compensation expense, primarily due to an increase in executive stock compensation;

 

   

A $1.6 million increase in corporate wages, primarily due to a new chief operating officer position and an increased wage base for our newly appointed chief executive officer, and an increase in internet wages due to growth in our internet infrastructure to support efforts to increase sales volume;

 

   

A $0.5 million increase in depreciation due to our recently implemented retail merchandising system;

 

   

A $0.3 million increase in computer maintenance costs;

 

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A $0.1 million increase in recruiting fees related to our search for a new chief executive officer and chief operating officer; and

 

   

A $0.1 million net increase in other general and administrative costs.

However, the increases in general and administrative expenses were partially offset by the following decreases:

 

   

A $0.8 million decrease in legal fees associated with various legal matters;

 

   

A $0.3 million decrease in corporate incentive bonuses;

 

   

A $0.3 million decrease in audit fees due to a change in timing of services performed as compared to the prior year; and

 

   

A $0.2 million increase in other income due to the receipt of insurance proceeds from a flooded Wet Seal store.

Asset impairment

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
     ($ in millions)  

Asset impairment

   $ 2.0      $ (0.7     (24.8 )%    $ 2.7   

Percentage of net sales

     0.4       (0.3 )%      0.7

Based on our quarterly assessments of the carrying value of long-lived assets, during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, we identified certain retail stores with carrying values of their assets, including leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, in excess of such stores’ respective forecasted undiscounted cash flows. Accordingly, we reduced their respective carrying values to their estimated fair market values, resulting in non-cash charges of $2.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

Interest income (expense), net

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
     ($ in millions)  

Interest income (expense), net

   $ 0.1      $ 2.9         102.4   $ (2.8

Percentage of net sales

     0.0        0.6     (0.6 )% 

We generated interest income, net, of $0.1 million in the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, primarily from investments in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

We incurred interest expense, net, of $2.8 million in the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, comprised of:

 

   

Interest charges of $2.8 million, consisting of $2.1 million of non-cash charges and a $0.7 million conversion/exercise inducement, related to the conversion of $4.7 million of our Notes into 3,111,111 shares of our common stock and $1.6 million of our Preferred Stock into 537,000 shares of our common stock, and the exercise of Series E warrants into 625,000 shares of our common stock;

 

   

Non-cash interest expense of $0.1 million on our Notes prior to conversion and comprised primarily of discount amortization and, to a lesser extent, annual interest at 3.76%, which we elected to add to principal;

 

   

Interest expense of $0.1 million from fees for the unused portion of our credit facility; partially offset by

 

   

Interest income of $0.2 million from investments in cash and cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments.

Provision for income taxes

 

     39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
     Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 
            ($ in millions)        

Provision for income taxes

   $ 8.9       $ 1.4         17.8   $ 7.5   

 

 

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Our effective income tax rate for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was approximately 39%, reflecting our expected effective income tax rate for fiscal 2011. Due to our expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2011, we anticipate cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 4.8% of pre-tax income, representing the portion of federal and state alternative minimum taxes and state regular income taxes that cannot be offset by NOLs. The difference between the effective income tax rate and the anticipated cash income taxes is recorded as a non-cash provision for deferred income taxes.

During the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, we incurred a 51% effective income tax rate, which was significantly higher than the rate in fiscal 2009 primarily as a result of the reversal of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance at the end of fiscal 2009. In addition, this rate was higher than that expected for future periods due to $2.8 million in interest charges incurred upon the Note conversions in the first fiscal quarter 2010, which are not tax deductible, and a $0.5 million non-cash deferred income tax charge in the third fiscal quarter due to a tax method change that resulted in the reduction of deferred tax assets related to charitable contribution carry forwards.

Segment Information

The following is a discussion of the operating results of our business segments. We consider each of our operating divisions to be a segment. In the tables below, Wet Seal and Arden B reportable segments include data from their respective stores and internet operations. Operating segment results include net sales, cost of sales, asset impairment and other direct store and field management expenses, with no allocation of corporate overhead or interest income or expense.

Wet Seal:

 

($ in thousands, except sales per square foot)

   39 Weeks 
Ended 
October 29, 2011
    39 Weeks 
Ended 
October 30, 2010
 

Net sales

   $ 387,302      $ 348,260   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     85     84

Comparable store sales percentage increase (decrease) compared to the prior year

     4.6     (0.8 )% 

Operating income

   $ 42,760      $ 33,054   

Sales per square foot

   $ 202      $ 194   

Number of stores as of period end

     464        444   

Square footage as of period end

     1,857        1,763   

The comparable store sales increase during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was due primarily to an increase of 6.7% in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction, partially offset by a decrease of 1.4% in comparable store average transactions. The increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from an 8.6% increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 2.4% decrease in our average unit retail prices. The net sales increase was attributable to the comparable store sales increase and the increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in net sales in our internet business.

Wet Seal’s operating income increased to 11.0% of net sales during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, from 9.5% of net sales during the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010. The increase in operating income, as a percentage of sales, was due primarily to an increase in merchandise margin as a result of lower markdown rates, a decrease in inventory shrink, and a decrease in occupancy costs due to the leveraging effect of positive comparable store sales. Additionally, during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, operating income included asset impairment charges of $1.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of long-lived assets that were identified during our quarterly impairment evaluations.

 

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Arden B:

 

($ in thousands, except sales per square foot)

   39 Weeks
Ended
October 29, 2011
    39 Weeks
Ended
October 30, 2010
 

Net sales

   $ 69,643      $ 67,444   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     15     16

Comparable store sales percentage decrease compared to the prior year

     (0.3 )%      (0.8 )% 

Operating income

   $ 3,000      $ 6,029   

Sales per square foot

   $ 245      $ 249   

Number of stores as of period end

     86        78   

Square footage as of period end

     266        234   

The comparable store sales decrease during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, was due to a 4.5% decrease in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by a 4.4% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. The increase in the comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from a 13.5% increase in our average unit retail prices, partially offset by an 8.2% decrease in units purchased per customer. The net sales increase was attributable to the increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year, partially offset by the comparable store sales decrease and a $1.9 million decrease in net sales in our internet business.

Arden B generated operating income of 4.3% of net sales during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, compared to operating income of 8.9% of net sales during the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010. This decrease was due primarily to an increase in occupancy costs as a result of the deleveraging effect on negative comparable sales and an increase in store payroll and benefits costs as a result of increased operational activities and higher average hourly rates. Additionally, during the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, and October 30, 2010, operating income included asset impairment charges of $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of long-lived assets that were identified during our quarterly impairment evaluations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $30.4 million for the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, compared to $32.0 million for the same period last year. For the 39 weeks ended October 29, 2011, cash provided by operating activities was comprised of net income of $14.0 million and net non-cash charges, primarily depreciation and amortization, asset impairment, stock-based compensation and provision for deferred income taxes, of $28.4 million, partially offset by an increase in merchandise inventories over the increase of merchandise payables of $7.4 million and a net use of cash from changes in other operating assets and liabilities of $4.6 million. For the 39 weeks ending October 29, 2011, net cash provided by investing activities of $3.2 million was comprised of $25.0 million of proceeds from the redemption of U.S. Government guaranteed corporate bonds upon maturity, partially offset by $21.8 million of capital expenditures, primarily for the construction of new Wet Seal and Arden B stores, remodeling of existing Wet Seal and Arden B stores upon lease renewals and/or store relocations, investment in the development of our new retail merchandising system and an upgrade to our point-of-sale operating system. Capital expenditures that remain unpaid as of October 29, 2011, have increased $0.1 million since the end of fiscal 2010. We expect to pay nearly all of the total balance of such amounts payable of $4.3 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

We estimate that, in fiscal 2011, capital expenditures will be between $26.0 million and $27.0 million, of which approximately $17.0 million to $18.0 million is expected to be for the remodeling and/or relocation of existing Wet Seal and Arden B stores upon lease renewals and the construction of new Wet Seal and Arden B stores. We anticipate receiving approximately $5 million in landlord-tenant improvement allowances, resulting in net capital expenditures of between $21 million and $22 million.

For the 39 weeks ending October 29, 2011, net cash used by financing activities was $52.8 million, comprised of $53.9 million used to repurchase 12,121,876 shares of our Class A common stock, slightly offset by $1.1 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options. On May 17, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a $31.7 million increase to our existing stock repurchase program approved in September 2010, bringing the total repurchase authorization up to $56.7 million. During the 39 weeks ending October 29, 2011, we repurchased 12,093,482 additional shares of our Class A common stock for a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $53.7 million, completing the stock repurchase program. Effective August 16, 2011, we retired 24,242,219 shares of our Class A common stock held in treasury. In accordance with Delaware law and the terms of our certificate of incorporation, upon retirement, such treasury shares resumed the status of authorized and unissued shares of Company common stock.

In March 2010, a holder of the Notes, Preferred Stock and Series E warrants converted $4.7 million in principal amount of the Notes into 3,111,111 shares of our Class A common stock and 1,611 shares of the Preferred Stock into 537,000 shares of our Class A common stock, and exercised Series E warrants into 625,000 shares of our Class A common stock for an exercise price of $2.3 million. As an inducement for the holder to undertake these conversions and/or exercises of the Notes,

 

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Preferred Stock and Series E warrants, we provided the holder with a $0.7 million inducement fee. We also repurchased an insignificant remaining Note balance from another holder. As a result of these transactions, there are no longer any remaining Notes and Preferred Stock outstanding and there was a satisfaction and discharge of our obligations under the indenture governing the Notes.

On November 3, 2010, all of the Company’s remaining Series E Warrants expired unexercised. As a result, no warrants to acquire the Company’s Class A common stock remain outstanding.

Total cash, cash equivalents and investments at October 29, 2011, was $131.3 million compared to $176.1 million at January 29, 2011.

On February 3, 2011, we renewed, via amendment and restatement, our $35.0 million senior revolving credit facility with our existing lender (the “Facility”), which can be increased up to $50.0 million in the absence of any default and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent specified in the Facility. The Facility expires in February 2016. Under the Facility, we are subject to borrowing base limitations on the amount that can be borrowed and certain customary covenants, including, under certain circumstances, covenants limiting our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and acquisitions, grant liens, pay dividends, repurchase our common stock, close stores, and dispose of assets, without the lender’s consent. Our ability to borrow and request the issuance of letters of credit is subject to the requirement that we maintain an excess of the borrowing base over the outstanding credit extensions of the greater of 10% of the aggregate amount of the Facility or $4.0 million. The annual interest rate on the revolving line of credit under the Facility is (i) the higher of the lender’s prime rate, the Federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the one month London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.0%, collectively referred to as the “Base Rate,” plus the applicable margin ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% or, (ii) if we elect, either the one, two, three or six months LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%. The applicable Base Rate or LIBOR margin is based on the level of average excess availability, as defined under the Facility, at the time of election, as adjusted quarterly. We also incur fees on outstanding letters of credit under the Facility at an annual rate equal to the applicable LIBOR margin for standby letters of credit and 23.0% of the applicable LIBOR margin for commercial letters of credit. Additionally, we are subject to commitment fees at an annual rate of 0.25% on the unused portion of the line of credit under the Facility.

Borrowings under the Facility are secured by cash, cash equivalents, investments, receivables and inventory held by us and our wholly owned subsidiaries, The Wet Seal Retail, Inc. and Wet Seal Catalog, Inc., each of which may be a borrower under the Facility.

At October 29, 2011, the amount outstanding under the Facility consisted of $5.6 million in open documentary letters of credit related to merchandise purchases and $1.3 million in outstanding standby letters of credit. At October 29, 2011, we had $28.1 million available for cash advances and/or for the issuance of additional letters of credit, and we were in compliance with all covenant requirements under the Facility.

We believe we will have sufficient cash and credit availability to meet our operating and capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.

The financial performance of our business is susceptible to declines in discretionary consumer spending, availability of consumer credit and low consumer confidence in the United States. Increasing fuel prices and commodity costs may also cause a shift in consumer demand away from the retail clothing products that we offer. There are no guarantees that government or other initiatives will limit the duration or severity of the current economic challenges or stabilize factors that affect our sales and profitability. Continuing adverse economic trends could affect us more significantly than companies in other industries.

Seasonality and Inflation

Our business is seasonal in nature, with the Christmas season, beginning the week of Thanksgiving and ending the first Saturday after Christmas, and the back-to-school season, beginning the last week of July and ending during September, historically accounting for a large percentage of our sales volume. For the past three fiscal years, the Christmas and back-to-school seasons together accounted for an average of slightly less than 30% of our annual sales.

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations during the past three years. However, we began to experience cost pressures in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 and saw further cost increases through the third quarter of fiscal 2011 as a result of rising commodity prices, primarily for cotton, increased labor costs, due to labor shortages in China, from which a majority of our merchandise is sourced, and increasing fuel costs. We expect these sourcing cost pressures to continue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The rising value of the currency in China relative to the U.S. dollar may also have a further impact on future product costs. In response to the costs increases, we have evaluated and

 

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opportunistically adjusted our pricing in certain categories, are leveraging our large vendor base to lower costs and are assessing ongoing promotional strategies in efforts to maintain or improve upon historical merchandise margin levels. We have been able to improve our merchandise margins to date despite rising product costs, and we will continue to diligently monitor our costs as well as the competitive pricing environment in order to mitigate potential margin erosion. However, we cannot be certain that our business will not be affected by inflation in the future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of October 29, 2011, we are not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, except for operating lease and purchase obligations as referenced in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 under “Commitments and Contingencies” and “Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

To the extent that we borrow under the Facility, we are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. At October 29, 2011, no borrowings were outstanding under the Facility. At October 29, 2011, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility was 1.333%. Based upon a sensitivity analysis as of October 29, 2011, if we had average outstanding borrowings of $1 million during third quarter of fiscal 2011, a 50 basis point increase in interest rates would have resulted in a potential increase in interest expense of approximately $1,250 for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

As of October 29, 2011, we are not a party to any derivative financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We contract for and settle all purchases in U.S. dollars. We only purchase a modest amount of goods directly from international vendors. Thus, we consider the effect of currency rate changes to be indirect and we believe the effect of a major shift in currency exchange rates on short-term results would be minimal, as a hypothetical 10% change in the foreign exchange rate of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar as of October 29, 2011 would not materially affect our results of operations or cash flows. Over a longer period, the cumulative year-to-year impact of such changes, especially the exchange rate of the Chinese currency against the U.S. dollar, could be significant, albeit indirectly, through increased charges in U.S. dollars from our vendors that source their products internationally.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of October 29, 2011.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2011, no changes occurred with respect to our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On July 19, 2006, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles on behalf of certain of our current and former employees that were employed and paid by us on an hourly basis during the four-year period from July 19, 2002 through July 19, 2006. We were named as a defendant. The complaint alleged various violations under the State of California Labor Code, the State of California Business and Professions Code, and

 

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orders issued by the Industrial Welfare Commission. On November 30, 2006, we reached an agreement to pay approximately $0.3 million to settle this matter, subject to Superior Court approval. On September 27, 2010, the Superior Court granted final approval of the settlement agreement. An appeal was subsequently filed on January 26, 2011. As of October 29, 2011, we have accrued an amount equal to the settlement amount in accrued liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

On May 22, 2007, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange on behalf of certain of our current and former employees who were employed and paid by us from May 22, 2003 through the present. We were named as a defendant. The complaint alleged various violations under the State of California Labor Code, the State of California Business and Professions Code, and Wage Orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. On December 17, 2010, the court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification and Motion For Leave to File An Amended Complaint. Plaintiffs have appealed both orders. We are vigorously defending this litigation and are unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On September 29, 2008, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Francisco on behalf of certain of our current and former employees who were employed and paid by us from September 29, 2004 through the present. We were named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. On August 16, 2011, the court denied Plaintiffs’ Motion for Class Certification. Plaintiffs have appealed. We are vigorously defending this litigation and are unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On April 24, 2009, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) requested information and records relevant to several charges of discrimination by us against employees of our Company. In the course of this investigation, the EEOC served a subpoena seeking information related to current and former employees throughout the United States. In April 2010, the EEOC filed an application to enforce the subpoena in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and is in the process of a nationwide investigation. We are awaiting the results of the investigation and are unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On May 9, 2011, a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda on behalf of certain of our current and former employees who were employed and paid by us from May 9, 2007 through the present. We were named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. We have filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration and, in the alternative, a Motion to Transfer Venue to the County of Orange, in which the action dated May 22, 2007 is pending. Each of these motions is currently pending. We are vigorously defending this litigation and are unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

On October 27, 2011 a complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles on behalf of certain of our current and former employees who were employed in California during the time period from October 27, 2007 through the present. We were named as a defendant. The complaint alleges various violations under the State of California Labor Code and the State of California Business and Professions Code. We are vigorously defending this litigation and are unable to predict the likely outcome and whether such outcome may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, no provision for a loss contingency has been accrued as of October 29, 2011.

From time to time, we are involved in other litigation matters relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. We believe that, in the event of a settlement or an adverse judgment on certain of these claims, we have insurance coverage to cover a portion of such losses; however, certain other matters may exist or arise for which we do not have insurance coverage. As of October 29, 2011, except as described in the paragraphs above, we were not engaged in any other legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a)

None.

 

(b)

None.

 

(c)

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
     Average Price Paid per
Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs (1)
     Maximum Dollar
Value of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 

July 31, 2011 to August 27, 2011

     2,342,343       $ 4.57         —           —     

August 28, 2011 to October 1, 2011

     1,008       $ 4.93         —           —     

October 2, 2011 to October 29, 2011

     —           —           —           —     

 

(1)

On September 7, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. On May 17, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a $31.7 million increase to the existing stock repurchase program approved in September 2010, bringing total repurchase authorization up to $56.7 million. Up to June 13, 2011, the timing and number of shares repurchased were determined by management based on their evaluation of market conditions and other factors. Effective June 13, 2011, we began to execute under this program pursuant to a securities purchase plan established by us under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b5-1.

Pursuant to the above plans, we repurchased 2,314,957 shares of our Class A common stock, during the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2011, at an average market price of $4.57 per share, for a total cost, including commissions, of approximately $10.6 million, bringing the total repurchased under this program of 12,975,782 shares of our Class A common stock at a total of $56.7 million, completing the stock repurchase program. No such repurchases occurred during fiscal September or fiscal October.

Additionally, employees tendered 28,394 shares of our Class A common stock upon restricted stock vesting to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations for a total cost of approximately $0.2 million.

Effective August 16, 2011, we retired 24,242,219 shares of our Class A common stock held in treasury. In accordance with Delaware law and the terms of our certificate of incorporation, upon retirement, such treasury shares resumed the status of authorized and unissued shares of Company common stock.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

(a)

None.

 

(b)

None.

 

Item 4. Reserved

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

10.1.2    Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2011, entered into between the Company and Mr. Seipel.
10.2    Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2011, entered into between the Company and Ms. Harriet Sustarsic.
10.3    Employment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2011, entered into between the Company and Ms. Barbara Cook.
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed herewith pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed herewith pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer furnished herewith pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer furnished herewith pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    The following materials from The Wet Seal, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended October 29, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited), (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited), (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited), and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), tagged as blocks of text. This exhibit will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such exhibit will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

THE WET SEAL, INC.

   

(REGISTRANT)

Date: November 29, 2011

 

By:

 

    /s/ Susan P. McGalla

   

    Susan P. McGalla

   

    Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 29, 2011

 

By:

 

    /s/ Steven H. Benrubi

   

    Steven H. Benrubi

   

    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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