The Wet Seal, Inc. · Foothill Ranch, CA United States ·(NASDAQ (GM): WTSLA)

Mall rats might catch their moms shopping at a Wet Seal store. The company operates about 495 shops in the US and Puerto Rico (down from some 600 stores in 2004) that sell moderately priced casual clothing and accessories. Most of the 400-plus Wet Seal stores are mall-based and appeal to teenage girls. The retailer's more upscale Arden B. chain runs some 85 stores that target women ages 25-35. About a quarter of the firm's stores are in California, Florida, and Texas. The company has shut down its Zutopia (acquired from Gymboree in 2001) and Contempo stores to focus on its Wet Seal and Arden B. formats. The Wet Seal sells brand-name and private-label merchandise through its stores and Web sites. To read the full description, subscribe now.