Executive Exit

The Wet Seal Inc. (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) announced that vice chairman and ceo Kathy Bronstein has been relieved of her duties. Irv Teitelbaum, chairman of the board, will succeed Bronstein until a replacement is named.

Bronstein joined the specialty retailer in 1985 as the company's merchandise manager.

“As a visionary in the world of young women's ready-to-wear fashion, Kathy has led the company to a position of impressive growth and achievement,” said Teitelbaum. “As we more forward, this company remains committed to our focus on providing fashion-forward quality merchandise at affordable prices for young women.”

Teitelbaum, who has served as chairman of The Wet Seal since 1984, is also chairman, ceo and co-founder of La Senza Corp., a Canadian retail company with more than 460 stores of women's apparel and lingerie.

The announcement of Bronstein's exit comes at the same time the company reported January same-store sales fell 25.1 percent, worse than the 13.2 percent decline expected by analysts. The contemporary clothing, accessories and cosmetics retailer operates 606 shops in the U.S. and Puerto Rico under the names Wet Seal, Arden B. and Zutopia.