Orange County’s retail world was turned on its head Thursday as long-sizzling Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported a decline in April same-store sales and struggling Wet Seal Inc. reported a sharp spike.
PacSun came in with a 6.4% fall in same-store sales, its first decline in years, disappointing analysts who were looking for a slim increase.
Wet Seal said sales at stores open for at least a year rose 36% last month, easily beating Wall Street views.
PacSun has faced the prospect of slower growth after years of heady gains at the operator of mall stores selling surf and urban wear.
Wet Seal is in the midst of a turnaround bid after fashion missteps, accounting troubles, management shifts and other issues in the past year.
