The Wet Seal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTSLA), a leading specialty retailer to young women, reported net sales and comparable store sales for the four-week period ended August 30, 2008, or fiscal August, as follows:

Ed Thomas, chief executive officer of The Wet Seal, Inc., commented: “Overall, August comparable store sales were in line with our expectations.

“At our Wet Seal stores, performance accelerated in the second half of the month following a notable slowdown in late July and early August. We were pleased with the strength in our denim business, particularly fashion denim, as well as in several accessory categories, although this was more than offset by a decline in our tops business. Our denim sales were supported by a strategy to carry both private label and branded denim in greater depth this back-to-school season versus the prior year. Regarding our tops business, as previously noted we believe that we were over-assorted in some categories entering August and believe we have opportunity for improvement in this business as Maria Comfort, our new Wet Seal Chief Merchandise Officer, sets the strategy for the upcoming holiday season.”

Mr. Thomas continued, “At Arden B, business remained challenged by the ongoing difficult retail environment and our continued maintenance of very conservative inventory levels as we evaluate our new merchandising strategy. Though not unexpected, we believe we’ve missed some selling opportunity as a result of tight inventory management, with inventories per square foot at Arden B down 36% when we entered August as compared to the same period last year. While we remain in a very difficult cycle for young contemporary women’s apparel, going forward we intend to add inventory depth prudently in select categories and will modify certain pricing and promotional strategies in an effort to enhance sales without sacrificing recent margin performance gains.”

About Wet Seal

Headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, The Wet Seal, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of fashionable and contemporary apparel and accessory items. As of August 30, 2008, the Company operated a total of 499 stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including 408 Wet Seal stores and 91 Arden B stores. The Company’s products can also be purchased online at www.wetseal.com or www.ardenb.com. For more company information, visit www.wetsealinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the Company’s merchandising strategies and opportunities as well as the intent, belief, plans or expectations of the Company or its management. All forward-looking statements made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Company’s future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This news release contains results reflecting partial year data and non-fiscal data that may not be indicative of results for similar future periods or for the full year. The Company will not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

The Wet Seal, Inc.
Steven H. Benrubi, (949) 699-3947