Same-store sales in February were a mixed bag for Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. and Wet Seal Inc.
Anaheim-based Pacific Sunwear, which sells clothes inspired by surfing, posted a 6% increase in same-store sales in February. Total sales rose 7% to $77.6 million.
The mall retailer’s PacSun surfwear chain jumped 6% during February.
Pacific Sunwear is in the midst of shuttering its 153 remaining demo stores, which sold hip-hop inspired clothes. Total sales from demo stores were $13.6 million. The company plans to report demo as a discontinued chain in earnings for the three months through May 3.
Meanwhile, Foothill Ranch-based Wet Seal posted an 8.2% decline in same-store sales for the month, thanks to a decline in sales at Arden B., its chain for young women.
“We achieved better performance in our Wet Seal stores as compared to Arden B. in this challenging retail environment,” said Chief Executive Ed Thomas. “Wet Seal’s performance was in line with our expectations for the month, but Arden B. comparable store sales continued to be impacted by inventory mix issues that we expect to continue through the end of April, by which time we expect a stronger presentation of fashion basic and ‘wear to work’ product to complement the assortment.”
