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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

For the quarterly period ended April 28, 2012 April 28, 2012

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:   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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 May 21, 2012, was 90,455,916. There were no shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.10 per share, at May 21, 2012.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

FORM 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

          Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of April 28, 2012, January  28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

     2   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the 13 Weeks Ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

     4   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited) for the 13 Weeks Ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

     5   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the 13 Weeks Ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

     6   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the 13 Weeks Ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

     8   
   Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)      9   
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      19   
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      28   
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      29   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings      29   
Item 1A.    Risk Factors      30   
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      30   
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities      31   
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures      31   
Item 5.    Other Information      31   
Item 6.    Exhibits      32   
SIGNATURES      33   
EXHIBIT 31.1      
EXHIBIT 31.2      
EXHIBIT 32.1      
EXHIBIT 32.2      
EXHIBIT 99.1      
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)

 

     April 28,
2012
    January 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 
ASSETS       

CURRENT ASSETS:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 148,108     $ 157,185     $ 133,074  

Short-term investments

     —          —          50,455  

Income tax receivables

     510       200       —     

Other receivables

     1,227       1,445       2,002  

Merchandise inventories

     40,080       31,834       37,100  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     14,469       4,570       12,690  

Deferred tax assets

     20,133       20,133       19,649  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     224,527       215,367       254,970  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS:

      

Leasehold improvements

     122,835       123,066       117,279  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     80,301       79,159       78,484  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     203,136       202,225       195,763  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (116,530 )     (113,901 )     (103,902 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net equipment and leasehold improvements

     86,606       88,324       91,861  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

      

Deferred tax assets

     23,927       23,780       28,447  

Other assets

     3,054       3,062       3,031  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets

     26,981       26,842       31,478  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 338,114     $ 330,533     $ 378,309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY       

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

      

Accounts payable – merchandise

   $ 23,802     $ 18,520     $ 21,659  

Accounts payable – other

     11,747       8,269       15,973  

Income taxes payable

     —          —          44  

Accrued liabilities

     23,410       25,096       23,252  

Current portion of deferred rent

     2,619       2,561       3,380  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     61,578       54,446       64,308  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

      

Deferred rent

     33,057       33,091       31,382  

Other long-term liabilities

     1,889       1,924       1,732  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     34,946       35,015       33,114  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     96,524       89,461       97,422  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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)

 

     April 28,
2012
    January 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 6)

      

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

      

Common stock, Class A, $0.10 par value, authorized 300,000,000 shares; 90,840,928 shares issued and 90,461,783 outstanding at April 28, 2012; 90,660,347 shares issued and 90,419,469 shares outstanding at January 28, 2012; and 114,568,146 shares issued and 101,432,813 shares outstanding at April 30, 2011

     9,084       9,066       11,457  

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

     —          —          —     

Paid-in capital

     239,995       239,000       324,158  

Accumulated deficit

     (6,523 )     (6,250 )     (13,319 )

Treasury stock, 379,145 shares, 240,878 shares, and 13,135,333 shares, at cost, at April 28, 2012, January 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively

     (962 )     (740 )     (41,697 )

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss ) income

     (4 )     (4 )     288  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     241,590       241,072       280,887  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 338,114     $ 330,533     $ 378,309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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  
     April 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

Net sales

   $ 147,945      $ 156,040   

Cost of sales

     104,342        102,595   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     43,603        53,445   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     40,438        39,860   

Asset impairment

     3,606        259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

     (441     13,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest income

     38        72   

Interest expense

     (48     (43
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest (expense) income, net

     (10     29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (451     13,355   

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (178     5,342   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (273   $ 8,013   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share, basic

   $ (0.00   $ 0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share, diluted

   $ (0.00   $ 0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic

     88,486,977        98,916,747   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted

     88,486,977        98,975,965   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     April 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

Net (loss) income

   $ (273   $ 8,013   

Other comprehensive loss :

    

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

     —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss

     —          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

   $ (273   $ 8,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

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

Balance at January 28, 2012

     90,660,347       $ 9,066         —         $ —         $ 239,000      $ (6,250   $ (740   $ (4   $ 241,072   

Net loss

     —           —           —           —           —          (273     —          —          (273

Stock issued pursuant to long-term incentive plans

     174,580         17         —           —           (17     —          —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           —           —           994        —          —          —          994   

Exercise of stock options

     6,001         1         —           —           18        —          —          —          19   

Repurchase of common stock

     —           —           —           —           —          —          (222     —          (222
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 28, 2012

     90,840,928       $ 9,084         —         $ —         $ 239,995      $ (6,523   $ (962   $ (4   $ 241,590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock      Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Treasury
Stock
    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

     —           —           —           —           —          8,013        —          —          8,013   

Stock issued pursuant to long-term incentive plans

     830,635         83         —           —           (83     —          —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           —           —           900        —          —          —          900   

Amortization of stock payment in lieu of rent

     —           —           —           —           15        —          —          —          15   

Exercise of stock options

     667         —           —           —           2        —          —          —          2   

Repurchase of common stock

     —           —           —           —           —          —          (3,734     —          (3,734

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

     —           —           —           —           —          —          —          (2     (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at April 30, 2011

     114,568,146       $ 11,457         —         $ —         $ 324,158      $ (13,319   $ (41,697   $ 288      $ 280,887   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     April 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (273 )   $ 8,013  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,691       4,666  

Amortization of premium on investments

     —          235  

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     27       26  

Amortization of stock payment in lieu of rent

     —          15  

Loss on disposal of equipment and leasehold improvements

     286       18  

Asset impairment

     3,606       259  

Deferred income taxes

     (147 )     4,808  

Stock-based compensation

     994       900  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Income tax receivable

     (310 )     —     

Other receivables

     218       (61 )

Merchandise inventories

     (8,246 )     (3,764 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (9,926 )     (65 )

Other non-current assets

     8       (103 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     3,987       2,067  

Income taxes payable

     —          (16 )

Deferred rent

     24       524  

Other long-term liabilities

     (35 )     (33 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (5,096 )     17,489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements

     (3,778 )     (6,045 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,778 )     (6,045 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     19       2  

Repurchase of common stock

     (222 )     (3,734 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (203 )     (3,732 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (9,077 )     7,712  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     157,185       125,362  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 148,108     $ 133,074  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 19     $ 17  

Income taxes

   $ 585     $ 475  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:

    

Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements unpaid at end of period

   $ 4,427     $ 6,215  

Amortization of actuarial gain under Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

   $ —        $ (2 )

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

8


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2013. 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 28, 2012.

Significant Accounting Policies

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 will be recognized, measured as 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. Forecasted earnings, growth rates and other assumptions used to estimate carrying value recoverability rely heavily upon estimates made by the Company’s management. If the Company is not able to achieve its projected growth rates and cash flows, this could result in additional impairment of assets in the future. The Company has considered the relevant valuation techniques that could be applied 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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, 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 $3.6 million and $0.3 million during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, 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.

Income Taxes

The Company began fiscal 2012 with approximately $65.7 million of federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards available to offset taxable income in fiscal 2012 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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was approximately 39.5%. The Company expects a 39.5% effective income tax rate for fiscal 2012. Due to its expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2012, the Company anticipates cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 6.9% 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 (benefit) provision for deferred income taxes.

 

9


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on the application of fair value accounting where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within GAAP. This guidance changed 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 adopted this guidance, which did not significantly impact the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance provided 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 is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted this guidance and has presented total comprehensive (loss) income, the components of net (loss) income and the components of other comprehensive (loss) income in two separate but consecutive statements within its condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation

The Company had one stock incentive plan under which shares were available for grant at April 28, 2012: 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 April 28, 2012; 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 22,669,528 shares of Class A common stock have been issued or may be issued pursuant to the Plans. As of April 28, 2012, 2,610,432 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 vest over periods ranging from three to five years from the grant date and 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.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

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  
     April 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

Dividend Yield

     0.00     0.00

Expected Volatility

     51.26     54.00

Risk-Free Interest Rate

     0.51     1.42

Expected Life of Options (in Years)

     3.3        3.3   

The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.3 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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively.

At April 28, 2012, there was $2.8 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 2.2 years, representing the remaining vesting periods of such options through fiscal 2015.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities with respect to its Plans for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, 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 28, 2012

     3,474,204      $ 4.64         

Granted

     55,000      $ 3.34         

Exercised

     (6,001   $ 3.15         

Canceled

     (252,870   $ 9.84         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at April 28, 2012

     3,270,333      $ 4.22         4.29       $ 172   

Vested and expected to vest in the future at April 28, 2012

     2,869,241      $ 4.28         4.21       $ 152   

Exercisable at April 28, 2012

     1,153,835      $ 5.08         3.31       $ 49   

Options vested and expected to vest in the future is comprised of all options outstanding at April 28, 2012, net of estimated forfeitures. Additional information regarding stock options outstanding as of April 28, 2012, is as follows:

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
as of
April 28,
2012
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
     Number
Exercisable
as of
April 28,
2012
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price Per
Share
 

$ 1.81 - $  2.93

     32,500         2.18       $ 2.78         22,500       $ 2.71   

   2.96 -     4.44

     2,861,833         4.68       $ 3.73         809,336       $ 3.74   

   4.50 -     6.82

     144,500         2.63       $ 5.38         90,499       $ 5.79   

   8.00 -   23.02

     231,500         0.86       $ 9.72         231,500       $ 9.72   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

$ 1.81 - $23.02

     3,270,333         4.29       $ 4.22         1,153,835       $ 5.08   
  

 

 

          

 

 

    

 

11


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, was $1.22 and $1.57, respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, each was less than $0.1 million.

Cash received from option exercises under all Plans for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, was less than $0.1 million and less than $0.1 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-and-one-half 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 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, the Company granted 174,580 and 430,635 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 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, was $3.58 and $3.87 per share, respectively. The Company recorded approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million of compensation expense related to outstanding shares of restricted common stock during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively.

During the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, the Company granted none and 400,000 performance shares, respectively, under the 2005 Plan. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the performance share grants made during the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011, which included consideration of the probability of such shares vesting, was $3.08 per share. The Company recorded compensation expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively, related to performance shares.

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 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012:

 

Nonvested Restricted Common Stock and Performance Shares

   Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date Fair Value
 

Nonvested at January 28, 2012

     2,105,112      $ 3.16   

Granted

     174,580      $ 3.58   

Vested

     (363,968   $ 3.65   

Forfeited

     (34,787   $ 5.38   
  

 

 

   

Nonvested at April 28, 2012

     1,880,937      $ 3.06   
  

 

 

   

The fair value of restricted common stock and performance shares that vested during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was $1.3 million.

At April 28, 2012, there was $4.3 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 $2.9 million relates to restricted common stock and $1.4 million relates to performance shares. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 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.

 

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Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 2 – Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

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

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
     April 28,
2012
     April 30,
2011
 

Cost of sales

   $ 67       $ 45   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     927         855   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

   $ 994       $ 900   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 3 – Senior Revolving Credit Facility

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 April 28, 2012, the amount outstanding under the Facility consisted of $4.4 million in open documentary letters of credit related to merchandise purchases and $1.2 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, and the Company had $29.4 million available under the Facility for cash advances and/or the issuance of additional letters of credit.

At April 28, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenant requirements related to the Facility.

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. The fair value should be 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 should include consideration of non-performance risk, including the Company’s own credit risk.

 

13


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Continued)

 

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 information on the Company’s financial instruments (in thousands):

 

     Carrying
Amount
at April 28,
2012
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 148,108       $ 33,788       $ 114,320       $ —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     896         —           —           896   
     Carrying
Amount
at January 28,
2012
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 157,185       $ 62,881       $ 94,304       $ —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     875         —           —           875   
     Carrying
Amount
at April 30,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 133,074       $ 19,336       $ 113,738       $ —     

Short-term investments

     50,455         —           50,550         —     

Long-term tenant allowance receivables

     817         —           —           817   

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 consisted of interest-bearing corporate bonds that were guaranteed by the U.S. Government under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, had maturities that were less than one year and were carried at amortized cost plus accrued income. Short-term investments were carried at amortized cost due to the Company’s intent to hold to maturity. The fair value of the Company’s short-term investments was 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. The long-term tenant allowance receivables 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 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Continued)

 

The table below segregates all non-financial assets and liabilities as of April 28, 2012, January 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, 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 April 28,
2012
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
     Total Gains
(Losses)
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 86,606       $ —         $ —         $ 86,606       $ (3,606
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 86,606       $ —         $ —         $ 86,606       $ (3,606
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Carrying
Amount
at January 28,
2012
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
        
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 88,324       $ —         $ —         $ 88,324      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total assets

   $ 88,324       $ —         $ —         $ 88,324      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
     Carrying
Amount
at April 30,
2011
     Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
     Total Gains
(Losses)
 
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     

Long-lived assets held and used

   $ 91,861       $ —         $ —         $ 91,861       $ (259
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 91,861       $ —         $ —         $ 91,861       $ (259
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

NOTE 5 – Net (Loss) Income Per Share

Net (loss) 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 (loss) 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.

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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, the Company incurred a net loss, as the participating securities are not allocated any portion of losses and there is no dilutive effect of any unvested share-based payment awards. For the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011, the effect of the unvested share-based payment awards was anti-dilutive to the computation of diluted earnings per share.

 

15


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 5 – Net (Loss) Income Per Share (Continued)

 

The two-class method requires allocation of undistributed earnings per share between the common 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  
     April 28, 2012     April 30, 2011  
     Net Loss     Shares      Per Share
Amount
    Net Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Net (loss) income per share, basic:

              

Net (loss) income

   $ (273        $ 8,013        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     —               (179     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share, basic

   $ (273     88,486,977       $ (0.00   $ 7,834        98,916,747       $ 0.08   
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share, diluted:

              

Net (loss) income

   $ (273        $ 8,013        

Less: Undistributed earnings allocable to participating securities

     —               (179     

Effect of dilutive securities

       —               59,218      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share, diluted

   $ (273     88,486,977       $ (0.00   $ 7,834        98,975,965       $ 0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The computations of net (loss) income per share, diluted, excluded the following potentially dilutive securities exercisable into Class A common stock for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively, because their effect would not have been dilutive.

 

     13-Week Period Ended  
     April 28,
2012
     April 30,
2011
 

Stock options outstanding

     3,216,217         3,200,081   

Performance shares and nonvested restricted stock awards

     2,077,361         2,253,790   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     5,293,578         5,453,871   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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. The Company is vigorously defending this appeal and is unable to predict the likely outcome. As of April 28, 2012, the Company has accrued an amount equal to the settlement amount in accrued liabilities in its condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

16


Table of Contents

THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 6 – Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

 

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 April 28, 2012.

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 April 28, 2012.

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 April 28, 2012.

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. On February 3, 2012, the court granted the Company’s motion to transfer venue to the County of Orange. Once the case is assigned to a new judge in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, the Company intends to file a motion to compel arbitration. 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 April 28, 2012.

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. On April 2, 2012, the court granted the Company’s motion to compel arbitration and to enforce the class action waiver in the arbitration agreement. 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 April 28, 2012.

As of April 28, 2012, 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. 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 to cover a portion of such losses. However, certain other matters may exist or arise for which the Company does not have insurance coverage and which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

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THE WET SEAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 7 – Segment Reporting

The Company operates exclusively in the retail apparel industry in which it sells 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”). E-commerce operations for Wet Seal and Arden B are included in their respective operating segments.

Information for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, for the two reportable segments is set forth below (in thousands, except percentages):

 

13 Weeks Ended April 28, 2012

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 126,175      $ 21,770      $ —        $ 147,945   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     85     15     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 9,324      $ (1,304   $ (8,461   $ (441

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 3,856      $ 454      $ 381      $ 4,691   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 38      $ 38   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ (48   $ (48

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

   $ 9,324      $ (1,304   $ (8,471   $ (451

 

13 Weeks Ended April 30, 2011

   Wet Seal     Arden B     Corporate
and
Unallocated
    Total  

Net sales

   $ 131,054      $ 24,986      $ —        $ 156,040   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     84     16     —          100

Operating income (loss)

   $ 18,813      $ 2,564      $ (8,051   $ 13,326   

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 3,784      $ 540      $ 342      $ 4,666   

Interest income

   $ —        $ —        $ 72      $ 72   

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ (43   $ (43

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   $ 18,813      $ 2,564      $ (8,022   $ 13,355   

The “Corporate and Unallocated” column is presented solely to allow for reconciliation of segment contribution to consolidated operating (loss) income, interest income, interest expense and (loss) income before (benefit) 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 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, includes $2.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of asset impairment charges.

Arden B operating (loss) income during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, includes $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of asset impairment charges.

 

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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 28, 2012, 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 15 to 39 years old. We operate two nationwide, primarily mall-based, chains of retail stores under the names “Wet Seal” and “Arden B.” At April 28, 2012, we had 553 retail stores in 47 states and Puerto Rico. Of the 553 stores, there were 469 Wet Seal stores and 84 Arden B stores. Our merchandise can also be purchased online through the respective websites of each of our operating segments

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 report our results as two reportable segments representing our two retail divisions, Wet Seal and Arden B. E-commerce operations for Wet Seal and Arden B are included in their respective reporting segments. 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 girls who seek fashionable clothing at a value, with a target customer age range of 15 to 23 years old. Wet Seal seeks to provide its customer base with a balance of trend right 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 39 years old and seeks to deliver differentiated contemporary fashion, dresses, sportswear separates and accessories for any occasion 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 e-commerce stores are designed to serve as an extension of the in-store experience and offer an expanded selection of merchandise, with the goal of growing both e-commerce 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 e-commerce 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

The overall retail environment in the U.S. has shown slight improvement in the early months of 2012. However, only modest growth is expected for 2012 due to continued uncertainty regarding the global economy, the lack of significant improvement in the U.S. housing market and elevated unemployment rates across all regions of the U.S. In addition, U.S. gross domestic product growth remains slow, further contributing to a volatile, and generally weak, retail environment. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we ran aggressive promotions and took higher levels of clearance markdowns to address the challenges we experienced in our tops business in both brands. As a result, we experienced declines in our merchandise margin and comparable store sales. In addition, we continued to incur sourcing cost pressures in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 as a result of elevated 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 many of these sourcing cost pressures to continue into fiscal 2012, although recent declines in cotton prices may begin to alleviate some of the commodity cost pressures late in 2012 or early 2013. 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 poor economic conditions in the U.S. and world economic markets, if such conditions continue, or if they deteriorate further, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

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Our comparable store sales decreased 7.7% during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, driven by a 7.0% comparable store sales decrease in our Wet Seal division and an 11.4% comparable store sales decrease in our Arden B division. The Wet Seal division’s comparable store sales decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in transaction volume, partially offset by an increase in average dollar sales per transaction, which was driven by an increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a decrease in average unit selling price. At Wet Seal, we performed poorly in the tops category due to, we believe, a weak fashion offering, an overly narrow assortment breadth, and macro trends whereby tops are downtrending in favor of an uptrending bottoms cycle. This poor performance in tops was partially offset by strong performance in bottoms, shoes and outerwear. The Arden B division comparable store sales decrease was primarily driven by a decline in transaction volume, partially offset by an increase in its average dollar sales per transaction, which was driven by an increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a decrease in average unit selling price. At Arden B, we exceeded our expectations in bottoms and jewelry sales, which were more than offset by a weak tops assortment and dresses for which sales were below our expectations. Our combined e-commerce sales declined 17% during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, from the prior year, as we continued our initiative to reduce promotional levels and rebalance inventories more toward regular price versus clearance items in the e-commerce channel in an effort to better align the e-commerce presentation and shopping experience with those of the stores. As we continue efforts to improve our fashion assortments at both Wet Seal and Arden B, we have experienced continued sales challenges to begin our second fiscal quarter. We have provided guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 for a comparable store sales decline of between 7% and 11%.

Our top near-term strategic priority is to improve our business trends and drive sales productivity improvement in our stores by focusing on distortions by category to give our customer what is most desirable, expanding our assortment breadth to drive momentum in our top and mid-tier volume stores, and planning and implementing in-store, e-commerce and social networking strategies, immediately and through the third and fourth quarters, that will drive increases in traffic and conversion rates. We continue our work on our mid to long-term initiatives, including driving a more customer-obsessed culture in our stores and throughout the business, implementing merchandising improvements as informed by independent customer research we conducted during fiscal 2011, redefining our “brand DNA” for both divisions, which are aimed at filling niches we do not feel are addressed competitively today, modifying our Wet Seal store design to support our brands and enhance our customers’ shopping experience, redirecting our store labor toward service and selling through streamlined operational tasks and/or eliminated non-selling activities and introducing training programs focused on developing a selling culture. Higher store productivity would contribute to comparable store sales growth. Other strategic priorities include continuing to focus on improving merchandise margins in both divisions, improving the Arden B business to allow it to stabilize and reach its full potential, and expanding our existing Wet Seal retail store base and e-commerce 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 operations 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

As we focus on day-to-day execution and traffic-driving and conversion strategies to generate near term sales momentum in our business, we have modified our fiscal 2012 store growth plans for Wet Seal and Arden B. This change in plans will allow all areas of our company to direct more energy toward key near-term priorities and will result in capital spending reductions for the year. At Wet Seal, we opened one new store and closed four stores during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012. We now plan 20 to 22 net store openings at Wet Seal for all of fiscal 2012, a decrease from our prior plan of 25 to 30 net openings. This reflects a more selective approach to new store development while we work on repositioning efforts at Wet Seal. This will also re-direct real estate focus more toward lease renewals, remodeling and/or refreshing of our current store base this year, as well as toward development of growth strategies for 2013 and beyond. At Arden B, we closed two stores during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, taking our store count to 84. As we entered fiscal 2012, our plans were to maintain Arden B at 86 stores through the year, whereby we would renew most expiring leases and replace a few store closures upon lease expirations with new store openings. We will now focus on turning around the merchandise positioning and sales productivity at Arden B, while mitigating our financial investments in the process. As Arden B leases come up for renewal this year, we will either seek short-term extensions or allow the lease to expire and close the store. In addition, we will not be opening any new Arden B stores during fiscal 2012. With these actions, we expect the Arden B store base will decline from the current 84 stores to between 64 and 69 stores by the end of fiscal 2012. Of these 15 to 20 store closures, we expect approximately five to occur during the third quarter of fiscal 2012, with the remainder closing at the end of fiscal 2012. On a net basis, we do not expect the Arden B store closures to significantly change the four wall cash flow performance of this division as a whole.

 

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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 28, 2012.

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-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 28, 2012, except for the following updates for our critical accounting policies for long-lived assets and accounting for income taxes.

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 will be recognized, measured as 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. Forecasted earnings, growth rates and other assumptions used to estimate carrying value recoverability rely heavily upon estimates made by management. If we are not able to achieve our projected growth rates and cash flows, this could result in additional impairment of assets in the future. We have considered all relevant valuation techniques that could be applied 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.

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. During the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, we determined such events or changes in circumstances had occurred with respect to certain of our retail stores, and that operating losses or insufficient operating income would likely continue. As such, we recorded noncash charges of $3.6 million and $0.3 million, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, respectively, to write down the carrying value of these stores’ long-lived assets to their estimated fair values.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We began fiscal 2012 with approximately $65.7 million of federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards available to offset taxable income in fiscal 2012 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 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was approximately 39.5%, which reflects our expected effective income tax rate for fiscal 2012. Due to our expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2012, we anticipate cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 6.9% of pre-tax

 

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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 (benefit) provision for deferred incomes taxes.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance on the application of fair value accounting where its use is already required or permitted by other standards within GAAP. This guidance changed 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 adopted this guidance and it did not significantly impact our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance provided 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 is to be applied on a retrospective basis. We have adopted this guidance and have presented total comprehensive (loss) income, the components of net (loss) income and the components of other comprehensive (loss) income in two separate but consecutive statements within our condensed 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
 
     April 28,
2012
    April 30,
2011
 

Net sales

     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     70.5        65.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     29.5        34.2   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     27.4        25.5   

Asset impairment

     2.4        0.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

     (0.3     8.5   

Interest (expense) income, net

     (0.0     0.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (0.3     8.5   

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (0.1     3.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (0.2 )%      5.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended April 28, 2012, Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended April 30, 2011

Net sales

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
     Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
            ($ in millions)        

Net sales

   $ 147.9       $ (8.1     (5.2 )%    $ 156.0   

Comparable store sales decrease

          (7.7 )%   

 

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Net sales for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, decreased primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

A decrease of 7.7% in comparable store sales resulting from an 11.1% decrease in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by a 3.8% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. Comparable store average dollar sales per transaction increased mainly due to a 6.5% increase in the number of units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 3.2% decrease in average unit retail prices; and

 

   

A decrease of $1.7 million in net sales for our e-commerce business compared to the prior year, which is not a factor in calculating our comparable store sales.

The increase in net sales was partially offset by an increase in number of stores open, from 536 stores as of April 30, 2011, to 553 stores as of April 28, 2012.

Cost of sales

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
           ($ in millions)        

Cost of sales

   $ 104.3      $ 1.7         1.7   $ 102.6   

Percentage of net sales

     70.5        4.7     65.8

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 increased due primarily to a decrease in merchandise margin as a result of higher markdown rates in both the Wet Seal and Arden B divisions, as compared to the prior year, and the deleveraging effect on occupancy costs as a result of negative comparable store sales.

Cost of sales increased primarily due to the increase in merchandise costs as a result of higher markdowns 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
April 28, 2012
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
           ($ in millions)        

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

   $ 40.4      $ 0.5         1.5   $ 39.9   

Percentage of net sales

     27.4        1.9     25.5

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

Selling expenses were in line with the prior year at $31.2 million. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses were 21.1% of net sales, or 110 basis points higher than a year ago.

The following contributed to the current year offsetting increases and decreases in selling expenses:

 

   

A $0.5 million net increase in advertising and marketing expenditures driven by brand definition work conducted to gain a better understanding of the Wet Seal and Arden B brand and customer personas, and an increase in visual merchandising materials, including window and in-store graphics; and

 

   

A $0.4 million increase in store payroll and benefits costs as a result of an increase in number of stores open, from 536 stores as of April 30, 2011, to 553 stores as of April 28, 2012.

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

 

   

A $0.5 million decrease in credit card fees due to a decline in average processing fees as a percent to sales;

 

   

A $0.2 million decrease in bags and boxes usage as a result of decreased sales volume;

 

   

A $0.1 million decrease in e-commerce production costs as a result of decreased sales volume; and

 

   

A $0.1 million decrease in security costs due to a decline in security system repairs.

 

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General and administrative expenses increased approximately $0.5 million from the prior year, to $9.2 million. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 6.3%, or 80 basis points higher than a year ago.

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

 

   

A $0.4 million increase in corporate wages, primarily due to a new chief operating officer position that was not filled for one month in the prior year, and an increase in information systems wages due to growth in our information systems infrastructure to support efforts to increase sales volume;

 

   

A $0.3 million increase in loss on asset disposals due to the disposition of software development costs related to an e-commerce platform and a social media game which we are no longer pursuing;

 

   

A $0.2 million increase in legal fees associated with various legal matters;

 

   

A $0.1 million increase in stock compensation expense, primarily due to an increase in executive stock compensation for our new chief executive officer and president and chief operating officer; and

 

   

A $0.1 million increase in audit fees due to the timing of services performed as compared to the prior year.

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

 

   

A $0.3 million decrease in corporate bonuses based on a shortfall in our financial performance relative to bonus targets;

 

   

A $0.2 million decrease in recruiting fees as the prior year included a portion of the costs for our searches for a new chief executive officer and president and chief operating officer; and

 

   

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

Asset impairment

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
     ($ in millions)  

Asset impairment

   $ 3.6      $ 3.3         1,292.3   $ 0.3   

Percentage of net sales

     2.4        2.2     0.2

Based on our quarterly assessments of the carrying value of long-lived assets, during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, 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 $3.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Interest (expense) income, net

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
     ($ in millions)  

Interest (expense) income, net

   $ (0.0   $ (0.0     0.0   $ 0.0   

Percentage of net sales

     0.0       0.0     0.0

We generated interest expense, net, of less than $0.1 million in the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, primarily from the amortization of deferred financing costs, partially offset by earnings from investments in cash and cash equivalents, and we generated interest income, net, of less than $0.1 million in the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011, primarily from earnings from investments in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

 

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(Benefit) Provision for income taxes

 

     13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
    Change From
Prior Fiscal Period
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 
           ($ in millions)        

(Benefit) Provision for income taxes

   $ (0.2   $ (5.5     (103.3 )%    $ 5.3   

Our effective income tax rate for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was approximately 39.5%, which approximates our expected effective rate for fiscal 2012. Due to our expected utilization of federal and state NOL carry forwards during fiscal 2012, we anticipate cash payment for income taxes for the fiscal year will be approximately 6.9% 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 (benefit) provision for deferred income taxes.

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 e-commerce operations. Operating segment results include net sales, cost of sales, asset impairment, store closure costs, and other direct store and field management expenses, with no allocation of corporate overhead, interest income or expense.

Wet Seal:

 

(In thousands, except percentages, sales per square foot and number of stores)

   13 Weeks
Ended
April 28, 2012
    13 Weeks
Ended
April 30, 2011
 

Net sales

   $ 126,175      $ 131,054   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     85     84

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

     (7.0 )%      8.3

Operating income

   $ 9,324      $ 18,813   

Sales per square foot

   $ 64      $ 69   

Number of stores as of quarter end

     469        454   

Square footage as of quarter end

     1,881        1,806   

The comparable store sales decrease during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was due primarily to a decrease of 10.5% in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by an increase of 3.8% in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. The increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from a 6.0% increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 2.9% decrease in our average unit retail prices. The net sales decrease was attributable to the comparable store sales decline and a $0.8 million decrease in net sales in our e-commerce business, partially offset by the increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year.

Wet Seal’s operating income decreased to 7.4% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, from 14.4% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011. The decrease in operating income, as a percentage of sales, was due primarily to a decrease in merchandise margin as a result of higher markdown rates and an increase in occupancy costs due to the deleveraging effect of negative comparable store sales, compared to the prior year. Additionally, during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, operating income included asset impairment charges of $2.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, to write down the carrying value of long-lived assets that were identified during our quarterly impairment evaluations.

Arden B:

 

(In thousands, except percentages, sales per square foot and number of stores)

   13 Weeks 
Ended

April  28, 2012
    13 Weeks
Ended

April  30, 2011
 

Net sales

   $ 21,770      $ 24,986   

Percentage of consolidated net sales

     15     16

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

     (11.4 )%      (0.1 )% 

Operating (loss) income

   $ (1,304   $ 2,564   

Sales per square foot

   $ 76      $ 86   

Number of stores as of quarter end

     84        82   

Square footage as of quarter end

     261        254   

 

 

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The comparable store sales decrease during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, was due to a 17.6% decrease in comparable store average transactions, partially offset by a 7.5% increase in comparable store average dollar sales per transaction. The increase in the comparable store average dollar sales per transaction resulted from a 9.8% increase in units purchased per customer, partially offset by a 2.4% decrease in our average unit retail prices. The net sales decrease was attributable to the comparable sales decline and a $0.9 million decrease in net sales in our e-commerce business, partially offset by an increase in the number of stores compared to the prior year.

Arden B incurred an operating loss of 6.0% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to operating income of 10.3% of net sales during the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in merchandise margin as a result of higher markdown rates and an increase in occupancy costs due to the deleveraging effect of negative comparable store sales, compared to the prior year. Additionally, during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, and April 30, 2011, operating (loss) income included asset impairment charges of $0.9 million and $0.1 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 used in operating activities was $5.1 million for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $17.5 million for the same period last year. For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, cash used in operating activities was comprised of net loss of $0.3 million, an increase in merchandise inventories over the increase of merchandise payables of $3.0 million, and a net use of cash from changes in other operating assets and liabilities of $11.3 million, which includes $9.5 million of February rents and other landlord costs due to the relatively early timing of fiscal 2011 year-end date, which in past years typically would have been paid before the end of the prior fiscal year, partially offset by net non-cash charges and credits, primarily depreciation and amortization, asset impairment, stock-based compensation and benefit for deferred income taxes, of $9.5 million. For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, net cash used in investing activities of $3.8 million was comprised of capital expenditures, primarily for the construction of new Wet Seal stores, remodeling of existing Wet Seal and Arden B stores upon lease renewals and/or store relocations, and investment in the network infrastructure within our corporate offices. Capital expenditures that remain unpaid as of April 28, 2012, have increased $3.1 million since the end of fiscal 2011. We expect to pay nearly all of the total balance of such amounts payable of $4.4 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2012.

We estimate that, in fiscal 2012, capital expenditures will be between $32.0 million and $34.0 million, of which approximately $24.0 million to $26.0 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 tenant improvement allowances from landlords, resulting in net capital expenditures of between $27 million and $29 million.

For the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, net cash used by financing activities was $0.2 million, comprised of $0.2 million used to repurchase 67,247 shares of our Class A common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations, slightly offset by less than $0.1 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Total cash and cash equivalents at April 28, 2012, was $148.1 million compared to $157.2 million at January 28, 2012.

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%,

 

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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 April 28, 2012, the amount outstanding under the Facility consisted of $4.4 million in open documentary letters of credit related to merchandise purchases and $1.2 million in outstanding standby letters of credit. At April 28, 2012, we had $29.4 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 and 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 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 many of these sourcing cost pressures to continue into fiscal 2012, although recent declines in cotton prices may begin to alleviate some of the commodity cost pressures late in 2012 or early 2013. The rising value of the currency in China relative to the U.S. dollar may also have an impact on future product costs. In response to the cost increases, we have evaluated and opportunistically adjusted our pricing in certain categories, are seeking to leverage our large vendor base to lower costs and are assessing ongoing promotional strategies and their impact on merchandise margin levels. We will continue to diligently monitor our costs as well as the competitive pricing environment in order to mitigate margin erosion. However, our margins have been and may continue to be adversely affected and we cannot be certain that our business will not be affected by inflation in the future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of April 28, 2012, 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 28, 2012, 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 April 28, 2012, no borrowings were outstanding under the Facility. At April 28, 2012, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility was 1.333%. Based upon a sensitivity analysis as of April 28, 2012, if we had average outstanding borrowings of $1 million during first quarter of fiscal 2012, a 50 basis point increase in interest rates would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of approximately $1,250 for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

 

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As of April 28, 2012, 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 April 28, 2012, 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 April 28, 2012.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal quarter ended April 28, 2012, 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 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. We are vigorously defending this appeal and are unable to predict the likely outcome. As of April 28, 2012, 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 April 28, 2012.

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 April 28, 2012.

 

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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 April 28, 2012.

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. On February 3, 2012, the court granted our motion to transfer venue to the County of Orange. Once the case is assigned to a new judge in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, we intend to file a motion to compel arbitration. 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 April 28, 2012.

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. On April 2, 2012, the court granted our motion to compel arbitration and to enforce the class action waiver in the arbitration agreement. 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 April 28, 2012.

As of April 28, 2012, 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. 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 to cover a portion of such losses. However, certain other matters may exist or arise for which we do not have insurance coverage and which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We have recorded impairment charges in the past and we may record material impairment charges in the future.

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. If we determine that the carrying value of long-lived assets is not recoverable, we will be required to record impairment charges relating to those assets. For example, our assessments during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, 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, we recorded a non-cash charge of $3.6 million during the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012 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. In the future, we may determine that the carrying value of our long-lived assets may not be recoverable, particularly in light of the recent declines in our merchandise margin and comparable store sales. As a result, we may determine that additional impairment charges are required. In the event we record impairment charges, this could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

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

 

(a) None.

 

(b) None.

 

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

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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
 

January 29, 2012 to February 25, 2012

     —         $ —           —           —     

February 26, 2012 to March 31, 2012

     —         $ —           —           —     

April 1, 2012 to April 28, 2012

     67,247      $ 3.30         —           —     

 

(1) An employee tendered 67,247 shares of our Class A common stock upon restricted stock and performance share vesting to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations for a total cost of approximately $0.2 million.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

(a) None.

 

(b) None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

  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.
  99.1    The Wet Seal, Inc. Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.
101    The following materials from The Wet Seal, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 28, 2012, 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 Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited) (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited), (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited), and (vi) 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: May 25, 2012   By:  

/s/ Susan P. McGalla

    Susan P. McGalla
    Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 25, 2012   By:  

/s/ Steven H. Benrubi

    Steven H. Benrubi
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

33