SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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BY RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
THE WET SEAL, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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THE WET SEAL, INC.
26972 BURBANK
FOOTHILL RANCH, CALIFORNIA 92610
April 24, 20002001
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Wet Seal, Inc. to be held at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd.,
Costa Mesa, California 92626, at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 31, 2000.30, 2001.
During the Annual Meeting the matters described in the accompanying Proxy
Statement will be considered. In addition, there will be a report regarding the
progress of the Company and there will be an opportunity to ask questions of
general interest to you as a stockholder.
I hope you will be able to join us at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you
expect to attend, you are urged to sign and return the enclosed proxy card in
the envelope provided in order to make certain that your shares will be
represented at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ Irving Teitelbaum
Irving Teitelbaum
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
THE WET SEAL, INC.
26972 BURBANK
FOOTHILL RANCH, CALIFORNIA 92610
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 31, 200030, 2001
10:00 A.M.
---------------------
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting (the "Annual Meeting") of
Stockholders of The Wet Seal, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Westin
South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, California 92626, on Wednesday,
May 31, 200030, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. to consider and vote upon:
1. Election of a Board of Directors consisting of nineeight directors. The
attached Proxy Statement, which is part of the Notice, includes the names
of the nominees to be presented by the Board of Directors for election.
2. An amendment to the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase
the number of shares issuable under such plan.
3. Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent
auditors for fiscal year 2000.
3.2001.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 17, 20002001 as
the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to
vote, at the Annual Meeting. A list of such stockholders will be available for
examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting,
during normal business hours, at the office of the Company for a period of ten
days prior to the Annual Meeting.
To assure that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting, please
sign and promptly return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Stephen Gross
Stephen Gross
SECRETARY
Dated: April 24, 20002001
THE WET SEAL, INC.
26972 BURBANK
FOOTHILL RANCH, CALIFORNIA 92610
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PROXY STATEMENT
MAY 31, 200030, 2001
------------------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of The Wet Seal,
Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, California on
Wednesday, May 31, 200030, 2001 beginning at 10:00 a.m. and at any adjournments thereof.
The Annual Meeting has been called to consider and vote upon the election of
nineeight directors; to consider and vote upon an amendment to the Company's 1996
Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares issuable under such
plan; to ratify the Board of Directors' nomination of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
the Company's independent auditors; and to consider any other business as may
properly come before the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the
accompanying proxy are being sent to stockholders of record on or about
April 24, 2000.2001.
VOTING BY STOCKHOLDERS
Only holders of record of the Company's common stock, at the close of
business on April 17, 2000,2001, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were 10,904,02311,503,300 shares of the Company's
Class A Common Stock, $.10 par value, and 2,912,665 shares of the Company's
Class B Common Stock, $.10 par value, issued and outstanding. Of the 10,904,02311,503,300
shares of Class A Common Stock, 1,347,6001,367,600 shares are currently held as Treasury
Stock and thus not entitled to vote. Holders of Class A Common Stock are
entitled to one vote per share and, while both the Class A and Class B Common
Stock vote together as a single class, holders of Class B Common Stock are
entitled to two votes per share. According to the Company's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, stockholders may not cumulate their voting rights.
Thus,The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the Annual Meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, the holders of
a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be able to elect all of
the directors. TheAssuming that a quorum is present, the approval of the amendment
to the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the ratification of
independent auditors will each require the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast at the Annual Meeting.
The shares represented by each properly executed unrevoked proxy received in
time for the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions
specified therein, or, in the absence of instructions, FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 2,3,
and will be voted in accordance with the discretion of the proxies upon all
other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Any proxy
received by the Company may be subsequently revoked by the stockholder any time
before it is voted at the meeting either by delivering a subsequent proxy or
other written notice of revocation to the Company at its above address or by
attending the meeting and voting in person. Pursuant to Delaware law,
abstentions are treated as present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
and thus have the effect of a vote against a proposal. A broker non-vote on a
proposal is considered not entitled to vote on that matter and thus is not
counted in determining whether a proposal requiring approval of a majority of
the shares present and entitled to vote has been approved or whether a majority
of the vote of the shares present and entitled to vote has been cast.
1
PROPOSAL #1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES
The Company's Bylaws give the Board the power to set the number of directors
at no less than three nor more than fifteen. The size of the Company's Board is
currently set at nine.eight. The directors so elected will serve until the next
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. NineEight directors are to be elected at the Annual
Meeting to be held on May 31, 2000.30, 2001. All of the nominees are currently directors
of the Company. The Board knows of no reason why any nominee for director would
be unable to serve as a director. In the event that any of them should become
unavailable prior to the Annual Meeting, the proxy will be voted for a
substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, or the
number of directors may be reduced accordingly.
The following table sets forth information regarding the nominees for
director:
NAME AND AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BACKGROUND
- ------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
George H. Benter, Jr......... Mr. George H. Benter, Jr. has been a director of the Company since 1990.
Age: 5859 Since May 1992, Mr. Benter has been President, Chief Operating Officer
and a director of City National Bank. From 1965 until April 1992,
Mr. Benter worked in various capacities with Security Pacific
Corporation, culminating in the position of Vice Chairman. Prior to
that time he held various positions with Security Pacific National
Bank. He is also a director of The Seeley Company, a privately held
commercial real estate brokerage service company.
Kathy Bronstein.............. Ms. Kathy Bronstein was appointed the Company's Vice Chairman of the
Age: 4849 Board in March 1994 and has been a director since 1985. Since
March 1992, she has also served as the Company's Chief Executive
Officer. Ms. Bronstein served as the Company's President from March
1992 to March 1994 and as Executive Vice President and General
Merchandise Manager of the Company from January 1985 through
March 1992. Ms. Bronstein's primary responsibilities include
formulating and directing the Company's expansion and overall
merchandising and marketing strategies.
Stephen Gross(1)............. Mr. Stephen Gross has been the Secretary and a director of the Company
Age: 5455 since June 1984. Mr. Gross co-founded Suzy Shier Limited. Since 1967,
he has been a director and an officer of Suzy Shier Limited, having
served as President, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer since 1976. He
has also been the General Merchandise Manager of Suzy Shier Limited
since 1974. Mr. Gross also serves as President of Irwel Management
Services Inc., a management consulting firm established in 1975.
Walter F. Loeb............... Mr. Walter F. Loeb has been a director of the Company since May 1993.
He
Age: 7576 Mr. Loeb is President of Loeb Associates, Inc., a New York-basedYork based retail
consultancy company that serves a variety of domestic and international
companies. Mr. Loeb is also the publisher of "Loeb Retail Letter," a
monthly analysis of the retail industry. He currently is a director of
Federal Realty Investment Trust, Gymboree Corporation and Hudson's Bay
Company and The Warnaco Group, Inc.Company.
2
NAME AND AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BACKGROUND
- ------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wilfred Posluns.............. Mr. Wilfred Posluns has been a director of the Company since 1990. He is
Age: 6869 Managing Director of Cedarpoint Investments, Inc., a Toronto-based
venture capital company. Mr. Posluns was the Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Dylex Limited from July 1988
to August 1995 and President from 1976 through 1990. He was a member of
the Board of Directors of Dylex Limited from 1966 to August 1995.
Mr. Posluns currently serves as a director of Radiology Corporation of
America.
Gerald Randolph.............. Mr. Gerald Randolph has been a director of the Company since July 1989.
Age: 8182 Mr. Randolph is a chartered accountant in Canada. He has been engaged
in an outside professional capacity by Suzy Shier Limited from its
inception in 1967, having served as its independent auditor, until
July 1989 when he was appointed Chief Financial Officer and a director
of Suzy Shier Limited. In February 2001 he relinquished his post as CFO
to become Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration.
Alan Siegel.................. Mr. Alan Siegel has been a director of the Company since 1990.
Age: 6566 Mr. Siegel has been a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss,
Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., which provides legal services to the Company,
since August 1995. He is also a director of Thor Industries, Inc.,
Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation and Ascent Asset Management Advisory
Services, Inc.
Irving Teitelbaum(1)......... Mr. Irving Teitelbaum has been Chairman of the Board and a director of
Age: 6162 the Company since June 1984. Mr. Teitelbaum is the co-founding
President (in 1967) and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Suzy Shier Limited, a Canadian public company listed on the Toronto and
Montreal Stock Exchanges, retailing women's apparel and lingerie in
over 460 stores in Canada. Mr. Teitelbaum also serves as President of
First Canada Management Consultants Limited, a management consulting
firm.
Edmond Thomas................ Mr. Edmond Thomas has been a director of the Company since August 1992.
Age: 46 Mr. Thomas has served as the Company's President since March 1994 and
as the Company's Chief Operating Officer since June 1992. His
responsibilities include overseeing store operations, real estate,
finance, management information systems, marketing, store construction,
the central distribution center and e-commerce. Prior to joining the
Company, from May 1991 through June 1992, Mr. Thomas was President and
Chief Operating Officer and a director of Domain, Inc., a Boston-based
upscale home furnishings retailer.
- ------------------------
(1) Mr. Teitelbaum and Mr. Gross are brothers-in-law.
3
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company who are not also directors are set
forth below:
NAME AND AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND BACKGROUND
- ------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara Bachman.............. Ms. Barbara Bachman has been the Company's Senior Vice President of Store
Age: 5051 Operations since November 1998 and served as Vice President of Store
Operations between December 1994 and November 1998. From 1982 to 1994,
she served as Vice President of StoresStore Operations with Contempo Casuals.
She previously held various other positions with Contempo Casuals,
including Regional Director of Stores from 1979 to 1982, District
Manager from 1977 to 1979, and Store Manager from 1976 to 1977.
Cecilia Gasgonia............. Ms. Cecilia GasgoniaStephen Cox.................. Mr. Stephen Cox has been Senior Vice President ofand General Merchandise
Planning and
Age: 39 Distribution of42 Manager for Wet Seal / Contempo Casuals since joining the Company sincein
August 2000. From June 1995 and served as Director1992 to August 2000, Mr. Cox was a Merchandise
Manager with Express, a division of Merchandise Planning between February 1994 and June 1995. From 1987 to
January 1994, Ms. Gasgonia was Director of Merchandise Planning with
Clothestime, a junior retail chain.The Limited, Inc.
Sharon Hughes................ Ms. Sharon Hughes has been employed by the Company since May 1990. Since
Age: 40 March 1994,41 February 2001 she has served as theSenior Vice President of Merchandising.Merchandising
for the Company's Zutopia division. From March 1994 to February 2001
she served as Vice President of Merchandising for Wet Seal / Contempo
Casuals. From May 1990 to March 1994 she served as a Merchandise
Manager. From 1983 to April 1990, Ms. Hughes was employed by
Saturday's, a chain of clothing stores, in various capacities, the most
recent of which was General Merchandise Manager.
Ann Cadier Kim............... Ms. Ann Cadier Kim has been employed by the Company since January 1986.
Age: 4243 In February 2001, she was appointed Executive Vice President of
Finance. In November 1998, she was appointed Senior Vice President of
Finance and in March 1994, she was appointed Vice President of Finance.
Since December 1993 she has served as the Company's Chief Financial
Officer. InFrom January 1986 to November 1998,1993, Ms. Cadier Kim was the
Company's Controller. From September 1982 to August 1985, she was
appointedemployed by Touche Ross & Co., as an audit senior. Ms. Cadier Kim is a
certified public accountant.
Greg Scott................... Mr. Greg Scott has been President of the Arden B. division since joining
Age: 38 the Company in May 2000. From January 1996 to January 2000, Mr. Scott
was Vice President of Merchandising with bebe. Prior to this Mr. Scott
was a Merchandising Vice President with Ann Taylor, Inc. from
January 1994 to January 1996.
Steven Strickland............ Mr. Steven Strickland has been Senior Vice President of Finance. Between March 1994Marketing and
November 1998, she served asAge: 38 Creative Services since joining the Company in August 2000. From
August 1995 to August 2000, Mr. Strickland was Vice President of
Finance. From January 1986Marketing with Brookstone, Inc. Prior to November 1993, Ms. Cadier
Kimthis Mr. Strickland was the Company's Controller. From September 1982Vice
President of Creative Services for Casual Corner Group, a division of
Luxottica from February 1994 to August 1985,
she was employed by Touche Ross & Co., as an audit senior. Ms. Cadier
Kim is a certified public accountant.1995.
4
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors met or took action by written consent nineten times in
the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000.February 3, 2001. Each of the directors attended at least
75% of the Board of Directors meetings and their respective committee meetings.
The Company has an Executive Committee consisting of Irving Teitelbaum and
Kathy Bronstein andBronstein. Edmond Thomas.Thomas served on the Executive Committee until his
resignation from the Board of Directors in November 2000. The Executive
Committee was formed in April 1990. Its primary responsibility is to oversee the
execution of lease commitments made by the Company between meetings of the Board
of Directors.
The Company has an Audit Committee consisting of Wilfred Posluns (Chairman),
George H. Benter, Jr. and Walter Loeb. The Audit Committee is responsible for
reviewing, as it shall deem appropriate, and recommending to the Board of
Directors internal accounting and finance controls for the Company and
accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be employed in
the preparation and review of the Company's financial statements. The Audit
Committee is also responsible for recommending to the 4
Board of Directors
independent public accountants to audit the annual financial statements of the
Company and scope of the audit to be undertaken by the accountants. The charter
of the Audit Committee, as adopted by the Board of Directors, is set forth as
Exhibit A to this proxy statement.
The Company has no nominating committee. Nominations are proposed by the
Executive Committee of the Board.
The Company has a Compensation Committee consisting of Irving Teitelbaum,
Wilfred Posluns and George H. Benter, Jr. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for establishing general compensation policies and specific
compensation levels for the Company's executive officers. Effective April 1999,
the Compensation Committee created an Incentive Compensation Subcommittee
consisting of Wilfred Posluns and George H. Benter, Jr. to address all issues
before the Compensation Committee that require decisions by directors who
qualify as outside directors under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and as non-employee directors under Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. See "Report of the Compensation
Committee on Executive Compensation."
The Company has an Option Committee consisting of Walter F. Loeb and George
H. Benter, Jr. The Option Committee is responsible for granting stock options to
executive officers and other key employees whose contributions are considered
important to the long-term success of the Company pursuant to the Company's
long-term incentive plans.
During the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000,February 3, 2001, the Executive Committee met
or took action by written consent nineten times, the Compensation Committee met or
took action by written consent threefour times, the Audit Committee met or took
action by written consent threefive times and the Option Committee met or took action
by written consent threefour times.
5
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee serves as the representative of the Board of Directors
for general oversight of the Company's financial accounting and reporting,
systems of internal control and audit process and monitoring compliance with
laws and regulations and standards of business conduct. The Board of Directors
has adopted a charter for the Audit Committee, which is set out in full in
Exhibit A to this proxy statement. Management of the Company has primary
responsibility for preparing financial statements of the Company as well as the
Company's financial reporting process. Deloitte & Touche LLP, acting as
independent auditors, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity
of the Company's audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting
principles.
In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:
- The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements for fiscal 2000 with the Company's management.
- The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No.
61, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing
Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
- The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter
from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as
amended, and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matter of that
firm's independence.
- Based on the review and discussion referred to in the three bullet points
above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of the
Company, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the audited
financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended February 3, 2001, for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined under
the listing standards of Nasdaq.
AUDIT COMMITTEE:
Wilfred Posluns (Chairman)
George H. Benter, Jr.
Walter Loeb
The foregoing Report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in any previous or future documents filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the
Company specifically incorporates the Report by reference in any such document.
AUDIT FEES. The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, for
professional services rendered for the audit of the Company's annual financial
statements for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001 and for the reviews of the
financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for that fiscal year were $107,945.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES. There were no
fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for professional services rendered for
information technology services relating to financial information systems design
and implementation for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001.
ALL OTHER FEES. The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, for
services rendered to the Company for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001,
other than for services described above under "Audit Fees," were $142,916.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit
services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
6
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation (cash and non cash) for
(i) the Chief Executive Officer, and(ii) the four other most highly compensated
executive officers ("namedserving as executive officers")officers at the end of the last fiscal
year who earned in excess of $100,000 per annum during any of the Company's last
three fiscal years.years and (iii) a former executive officer of the Company
(collectively, the "named executive officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION AWARDS
--------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES
----------------------------------------------------- RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
NAME AND FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL STOCK STOCK LTIP
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION($)(1) AWARDS($)(2) OPTIONS(#) PAYOUTS($)
- ------------------ -------- --------- --------- ------------------ ------------ ----------- ----------
Kathy Bronstein.......Bronstein ...... 2000 676,843 1,110,445(3) -- 36,595 -- --
Vice Chairman and 1999 771,548 834,470(3)834,470(4) -- 34,599 150,000 --
Vice Chairman andChief Executive 1998 742,159 1,477,097(4)1,477,097(5) -- 63,612 -- --
ChiefOfficer
Greg Scott(10) ....... 2000 226,086 60,000(3) -- -- 100,000 --
Divisional President 1999 -- -- -- -- -- --
of Arden B. 1998 -- -- -- -- -- --
Ann Cadier Kim ....... 2000 220,420 70,000(3) -- 12,031 25,000 --
Executive 1997 682,418 1,271,375(5)Vice 1999 183,192 10,000(4) -- 59,982 120,000 --
Officer
Edmond Thomas......... 1999 765,996 476,840(3) -- 34,599 150,00010,002 10,000 --
President of Finance 1998 165,000 40,000(5) -- 14,346 10,000 --
and Chief 1998 592,878 844,055(4)Financial
Officer
Barbara Bachman ...... 2000 206,766 40,000(3) -- 51,36911,254 10,000 --
--
Operating Officer 1997 563,627 726,500(5) -- 49,806 120,000 --
Barbara Bachman.......Senior Vice 1999 197,621 10,000(3)10,000(4) -- 9,357 10,000 --
Senior Vice
President of Store 1998 187,731 40,000(4)40,000(5) -- 17,042 10,000 --
of Store Operations
1997 176,423 40,000(5)Sharon Hughes ........ 2000 175,943 25,000(3) -- 16,381 10,00012,304 25,000 --
Sharon Hughes.........Senior Vice 1999 186,238 10,000(3)10,000(4) -- 10,230 5,000 --
Vice President of 1998 179,808 25,000(4)25,000(5) -- 14,346 -- --
Merchandising
1997 181,730 90,813(5)Edmond Thomas(9) ..... 2000 541,596 634,540(3) -- 17,614 10,000 -- Ann Cadier Kim........-- --
Former President and 1999 183,192 10,000(3)765,996 476,840(4) -- 10,002 10,00034,599 150,000 --
Senior Vice
PresidentChief Operating 1998 165,000 40,000(4)592,878 844,055(5) -- 14,346 10,00051,369 -- of Finance 1997 150,000 30,000(5) --
13,210 10,000 --Officer
NAME AND ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION COMPENSATION($)
- ------------------ ----------------
Kathy Bronstein....... 58,540(6)Bronstein ...... 51,478(6)
Vice Chairman and 53,465(7)58,540(7)
Chief Executive 222,555(8)53,465(8)
Officer
Edmond Thomas......... 8,781(6)Greg Scott(10) ....... --
Divisional President --
of Arden B. --
Ann Cadier Kim ....... --
Executive Vice --
President of Finance --
and Chief 33,517(7)
OperatingFinancial
Officer
49,062(8)
Barbara Bachman.......Bachman ...... --
Senior Vice --
President -- of Store --
Operations
Sharon Hughes ........ --
Sharon Hughes.........Senior Vice --
Vice
President of --
Merchandising
--
Ann Cadier Kim........ --
Senior ViceEdmond Thomas(9) ..... 1,754,685(9)
Former President --
of Finance --and 8,781(7)
Chief Operating 33,517(8)
Officer
- ------------------------------
(1) While the named executive officers enjoy certain perquisites, for fiscal
years 2000, 1999 1998 and 19971998 these did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10%
of each officer's salary and bonus.
(2) The Company has a stock bonus plan whereby certain employees of the Company
receive Class A Common Stock in proportion to their salary. The amount of
the award is also dependent on the Company's earnings before tax and the
stock price on the date of grant. The bonus shares vest at a rate of 33.33%
per year on each anniversary of the grant date, and a participant's right
to non issuednon-issued shares is subject to forfeiture if the participant's
employment is terminated. Dividends are not paid on stock grant awards
until such time as the stock is vested and issued to the executive.
Aggregate shares granted under the plan to the named executive officers as
of January 29, 2000February 3, 2001 are as follows: Ms. Bronstein--11,700;Bronstein-12,881; Mr. Thomas--11,940; Ms. Bachman--3,289;
Ms. Hughes--4,877; andScott-0;
Ms. Cadier Kim--4,321.Kim--4,709; Ms. Bachman--3,652; Ms. Hughes--5,274; and
Mr. Thomas--11,940. The aggregate market value at January 29, 2000February 3, 2001 of these
shares is as follows: Ms. Bronstein--$128,700;399,311; Mr. Thomas--Scott--$131,340; Ms. Bachman--$36,179; Ms. Hughes--$53,647; and0; Ms. Cadier
Kim--$47,531.145,979; Ms. Bachman--$113,212; Ms, Hughes--$163,494; and
Mr. Thomas--$370,140. Of the shares granted to Mr. Thomas, 4,598 shares
were forfeited in connection with his resignation from the Company in
November 2000.
(3) Bonus amounts earned in fiscal 2000 were paid to the executives in fiscal
2001, except for Kathy Bronstein who, pursuant to Board of Director
approval, received quarterly advances on her fiscal 2000 bonus in fiscal
2000 which totaled $440,079.
7
(4) Bonus amounts earned in fiscal 1999 were paid to the executives in fiscal
2000, except for Kathy Bronstein who, pursuant to Board of Director
approval, received quarterly advances on her fiscal 1999 bonus in fiscal
1999 which totaled $404,293.
(4)(5) Bonus amounts earned in fiscal 1998 were paid to the executives in fiscal
1999.
(5) Bonus amounts earned in fiscal 1997 were paid to the executives in fiscal
1998.
(6) Amount represents pay in lieu of vacation for fiscal 1999.2000.
(7) Amount represents pay in lieu of vacation for fiscal 1998.1999.
(8) Amount represents pay in lieu of vacation for fiscal 1997 and prior fiscal
years back to original date of hire for Ms. Bronstein, fiscal 1985, and for1998.
(9) Mr. Thomas resigned from the Company in November 2000. For fiscal 1992.
6
2000, all
other compensation consists of (i) a severance payment of $1,595,948,
(ii) a payment of $148,160, which equals the cash surrender value of the
insurance policy funding the SERP, in respect of the Company's obligations
to Mr. Thomas under the SERP, (iii) $8,365 of pay in lieu of vacation for
fiscal 2000 and (iv) a payment of $2,212 for continuing coverage of
Mr. Thomas for the remainder of fiscal 2000 under the Company's group
health plan.
(10) Mr. Scott joined the Company on May 1, 2000.
OPTION GRANTS
The following table sets forth information regarding options granted in
1999fiscal 2000 to each of the named executive officers pursuant to the Company's
1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
-------------------------------------------------------- VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM(2)
GRANTED FISCAL YEAR BASE PRICE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME (SHARES)(1) 19992000 ($ PER SHARE) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ---- ----------- ------------- ------------- ---------- --------- ---------
Kathy Bronstein................ 150,000 21.3% 15.125 9/22/09 1,426,805 3,615,803
Edmond Thomas.................. 150,000 21.3% 15.125 9/22/09 1,426,805 3,615,803-- -- -- -- -- --
Greg Scott..................... 100,000 15.1% 15.15 5/4/10 952,775 2,414,520
Ann Cadier Kim................. 25,000 3.8% 11.50 3/15/10 180,807 458,201
Barbara Bachman................ 10,000 1.4% 15.125 9/22/09 95,120 241,0541.5% 11.50 3/15/10 72,323 183,280
Sharon Hughes.................. 5,000 0.7% 15.125 9/22/09 47,560 120,527
Ann Cadier Kim................. 10,000 1.4% 15.125 9/22/09 95,120 241,05425,000 3.8% 11.50 3/15/10 180,807 458,201
Edmond Thomas(3)............... -- -- -- -- -- --
- ------------------------
(1) All options granted vest at the rate of 20% per year for the next five
years.
(2) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the stock price
of the Common Stock appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded
annually) from the date of grant until the end of the ten year option term.
These numbers are calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and do not reflect the Company's estimate
of future stock price performance.
7(3) Mr. Thomas resigned from the Company in November 2000. Concurrent with his
resignation, all unvested stock options held by Mr. Thomas were forfeited.
8
OPTION EXERCISE AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND OPTION/SAR VALUES AT JANUARY 29, 2000FEBRUARY 3, 2001
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT "IN-THE-MONEY" OPTIONS AT
SHARES JANUARY 29, 2000(#) JANUARY 29, 2000($FEBRUARY 3, 2001(#) FEBRUARY 3, 2001($)(1)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------------------- -------------
Kathy Bronstein........... 53,000 1,976,688 107,000 230,000 460,625 --
Edmond Thomas............. 40,000 1,395,000 120,000 230,000 550,000 --
Barbara Bachman........... 6,000 154,250 6,000 24,000 12,500 --
Sharon Hughes.............Bronstein.......... 50,000 1,371,931 127,000 160,000 1,813,125 2,345,000
Greg Scott............... -- -- 6,500 11,000 17,188 -- 100,000 -- 1,585,000
Ann Cadier Kim............ 1,000 31,000 13,000 26,000 28,750 6,000Kim........... -- -- 21,000 43,000 380,260 742,640
Barbara Bachman.......... -- -- 12,000 28,000 189,010 450,140
Sharon Hughes............ -- -- 9,500 33,000 170,063 609,000
Edmond Thomas(2)......... 190,000 2,405,174 -- -- -- --
- ------------------------
(1) Represents the market value of shares underlying "in-the-money" options on
January 29, 2000February 3, 2001 less the option exercise price. Options are "in-the-money"
at the fiscal year end if the fair market value of the underlying securities
on such date exceeds the exercise or base price of the option.
(2) Mr. Thomas resigned from the Company in November 2000. Concurrent with his
resignation, all unvested stock options held by Mr. Thomas were forfeited.
RETIREMENT PLAN
Irving Teitelbaum and Kathy Bronstein and Edmond Thomas are participants in The Wet
Seal, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), an unfunded,
nonqualified retirement plan. According to the terms of the SERP, a
participant's "Annual Accrued Benefit" shall be $250,000 which may be increased
upward, if applicable, based on the "Pre-Tax Profit Percentage" (as defined in
the SERP) for the three full fiscal years of the Company preceding the date the
participant's service with the Company is terminated, as follows:
3-YEAR AVERAGE PRE-TAX PROFIT PERCENTAGE ANNUAL ACCRUED BENEFIT
- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------
if 4.25% or greater but less than 4.75%.................. $300,000
if 4.75% or greater but less than 5.25%.................. $350,000
if 5.25% or greater but less than 5.75%.................. $400,000
if 5.75% or greater but less than 7.00%.................. $450,000
if 7.00% or greater...................................... $500,000
A participant is entitled to receive benefits under the SERP upon his or her
Normal Retirement Date (the first day of the month following the date the
participant's service with the Company as an officer or executive has
terminated, and which occurs at or after the date the participant has attained
22.5 years of service with the Company). A participant may receive an early
retirement benefit equal to his or her Annual Accrued Benefit reduced by 1/2 of
1% per month for the number of months his or her retirement precedes his or her
Normal Retirement Date. The normal form of benefit is a straight life annuity,
ending in the month in which the participant dies. The Annual Accrued Benefit is
payable in 12 equal monthly installments a year. The participant may choose to
receive the benefit in the form of a 50% joint and survivor annuity. Benefits
under the SERP are forfeitable upon a termination of employment for Cause (as
defined in the SERP). Benefits under the SERP are provided by the Company on a
noncontributory basis. Edmond Thomas was a participant in the SERP until his
resignation from the Company in November 2000 at which time he received a
payment of $148,160, which equals the cash surrender value of the insurance
policy funding the SERP, in respect of the Company's obligations to Mr. Thomas
under the SERP.
9
2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
In addition to the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Board of
Directors has adopted The Wet Seal, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "2000 Plan")
pursuant to which the Board, or a designated committee of the Board, may grant
stock, restricted stock or other stock-based awards to employees of the Company
other than directors or senior executive officers. The Board or Board committee
may make any stock based awards granted under the 2000 Plan subject to the terms
and conditions that it may impose. In addition, such awards may be cancelled or
a repayment obligation by the participant may be triggered in the event of a
serious breach of conduct by a participant or if a participant competes with the
Company. The total number of shares of stock subject to the 2000 Plan is 500,000
of which 200,000 remain available for grant.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
All directors who are not directly affiliated with the Company as well as
one director who is affiliated receive a fee of $5,000 for each board meeting
attended, with a minimum yearly fee of $20,000. All directors are reimbursed for
expenses connected with attendance at the meetings of the Board of 8
Directors. An
additional fee of $1,000 is paid to non-employee directors for each Audit
Committee meeting attended.
All directors who are not directly affiliated with the Company as well as
oneOne director, Mr. Randolph, who is affiliated were granted stock optionsnot a member of 10,000 sharesthe Audit Committee, is
paid a consulting fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the Audit Committee he
attends in fiscal 1999 and 5,000 shares each in fiscal 1997 pursuantconsideration of the consulting services he provides to the Company's
1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Two directors who are affiliated with the Company
were granted stock options of 75,000 shares each in fiscal 1999 and 100,000
shares each in fiscal 1997 pursuant to the Company's 1996 Long-Term Incentive
Plan. The options vest at the rate of 20% per year for the next five years.
All directors, except one, who are not directly affiliated with the Company
as well as one director who is affiliated were granted stock options of 10,000
shares each in fiscal 1994 pursuant to the Company's 1994 Long-Term Incentive
Plan. One independent director was granted 15,000 options in fiscal 1996. The
options vest at the rate of 20% per year for the next five years.Audit
Committee.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
KATHY BRONSTEIN
Kathy Bronstein has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since March 1992. On December 30, 1988, in her former position of Executive Vice
President and General Merchandise Manager, Ms. Bronstein entered into an
employment agreement with the Company. Under this agreement, as amended in
February 2001, Ms. Bronstein is entitled to a base salary of $550,000$650,000 per annum,
adjusted annually by a performance bonus of 0.5% ( 1/2 of 1%) of the pre-tax
profits of the Company for the preceding fiscal year to the extent this amount
exceeds the aggregate cash dividends Ms. Bronstein is eligible to receive on her
holdings of the Company's capital stock referable to the same fiscal year. This
adjustment is not cumulative and is in lieu of any salary review or cost of
living adjustments. Ms. Bronstein also receives an incentive bonus of 3.5% of
the pre-tax profits of the Company (as defined in the agreement) for each fiscal
year.
In January 1995, Ms. Bronstein's employment agreement was amended to provide
automatic extensions to the term of her employment agreement as well as
termination benefits upon the occurrence of certain trigger events. In the event
of a trigger event, the employment agreement is terminated and Ms. Bronstein is
entitled to receive an immediate payment approximately equal to three years of
Ms. Bronstein's current base salary and bonus during the last three fiscal
years. Trigger events include a "change in control" AND either
(i) Ms. Bronstein's election to resign within 90 days of a material change in
Ms. Bronstein's rights and duties or (ii) Ms. Bronstein's termination by the
Company without cause. A "change in control" means (i) the disposition or
conversion by a Class B stockholder (other than Ms. Bronstein) of a majority of
that stockholder's Class B shares or (ii) the acquisition of more than 50% of
the voting power in a Class B stockholder or the ability to control the
disposition or voting of a Class B stockholder's shares AND a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company ceases to be those in office two years prior
to the change in control ("Continuing Directors") or those elected by a majority
of other Continuing Directors. In addition, upon a change in control (regardless
of the termination of the employment agreement), Ms. Bronstein's stock options
become immediately exercisable. In the event that the total payments made to
Ms. Bronstein upon the occurrence of a trigger event result in "excess parachute
payments" under the Internal Revenue Code
10
of 1986, as amended, the Company would be obligated to pay the excise tax due on
such amount and any income tax obligations arising from reimbursement of any
such excise taxes.
Ms. Bronstein's agreement expires on January 30, 2005.2006. The agreement
automatically extends for an additional year on the first day of each subsequent
fiscal year. These automatic extensions may be terminated by either party at any
time upon prior written notice. She has agreed not to compete with the Company
during the term of her employment and for a period of two (2) years thereafter.
She is provided with a car by the Company.
9
The Company has obtained "key man" life insurance in the amount of $3.0
million payable to the Company in the event of Ms. Bronstein's death while
employed by the Company.
EDMOND THOMAS
Edmond Thomas has served as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer
sincefrom March 17, 1994.1994 until his resignation in November 2000. On June 22, 1992, in
his former position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he
entered into an employment agreement with the Company. Under this agreement, as
amended, Mr. Thomas iswas entitled to a base salary of $550,000 per annum plus an
annual performance bonus adjustment of 0.5% ( 1/2 of 1%) of the pre-tax profits
of the Company for the preceding fiscal year to the extent this amount exceedsexceeded
the aggregate cash dividends Mr. Thomas iswas eligible to receive on his holdings
of the Company's capital stock referable to the same fiscal year. This
adjustment iswas non cumulative and iswas in lieu of any salary review or cost of
living adjustments. Mr. Thomas also receivesreceived an incentive bonus of 2% of the
pre-tax profits of the Company (as defined in the agreement) for each fiscal
year. In January 1995, Mr. Thomas' employment agreement was amended to provide
automatic extensions to the term of his employment agreement as well as
termination benefits upon the occurrence of certain trigger events.
In the event
of a trigger event, the employment agreement is terminated and Mr. Thomas is
entitled to receive an immediate payment approximately equal to three years of
Mr. Thomas' current base salary and bonus during the last three fiscal years.
Trigger events include a "change in control" AND either (i) Mr. Thomas' election
to resign within 90 days of a material change in Mr. Thomas' rights and duties
or (ii) Mr. Thomas' termination byresigned from the Company without cause. A "change in control" means (i) the disposition or conversion byNovember 2000. In connection with
his resignation, he entered into a Class B stockholder of a
majority of that stockholder's Class B shares or (ii) the acquisition of more
than 50% of the voting power in a Class B stockholder or the ability to control
the disposition or voting of a Class B stockholder's shares AND a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Company ceases to be those in office two years
prior to the change in control ("Continuing Directors") or those elected by a
majority of other Continuing Directors. In addition, upon a change in control
(regardless of the termination of the employment agreement), Mr. Thomas' stock
options become immediately exercisable. In the event that the total payments
made to Mr. Thomas upon the occurrence of a trigger event result in "excess
parachute payments" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the
Company would be obligated to pay the excise tax due on such amount and any
income tax obligations arising from reimbursement of any such excise taxes.
Mr. Thomas'separation agreement expires on January 30, 2005. The agreement
automatically extends for an additional year on the first day of each subsequent
fiscal year. These automatic extensions may be terminated by either party at any
time upon prior written notice. He has agreed not to compete with the Company duringwhich
superseded the termterms of his employment agreement. Under this agreement, the
Company paid Mr. Thomas (i) a severance payment of $1,595,948 plus accrued but
unused vacation in November 2000 and (ii) a bonus of $634,540 for a periodfiscal 2000 in
March 2001. The separation agreement also provides that, concurrently with
Mr. Thomas' resignation, all unvested stock options held by Mr. Thomas be
forfeited and any vested stock options remain exercisable for up to 90 days and
be forfeited thereafter. The agreement also obligates the Company to fund
certain obligations in respect of two (2) years thereafter.
He is providedMr. Thomas under the Company's SERP and
continuing coverage of Mr. Thomas under the Company's group health plan until
October 2001. The agreement also contains provisions with a car by the Company.respect to
confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-disparagement.
The Company has obtained "key man" life insurance in the amount of $5.0 million
payable to the Company in the event of Mr. Thomas' death while he was employed
by the Company.
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
In fiscal year ended February 3, 2001, a fee of $500,000, in fiscal year
ended January 29, 2000, a fee of $437,500 and in fiscal year ended January 30,
1999, a fee of $375,000 and in fiscal year ended January 31,
1998, a fee of $250,000 was paid to First Canada Management Consultants Limited,
a company controlled by Irving Teitelbaum, for the services of Irving
Teitelbaum, Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Stephen Gross, Corporate
Secretary of the Company, respectively.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Irving Teitelbaum, Wilfred Posluns and George H. Benter, Jr. serve as
members of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Teitelbaum also serves as Chairman of
the Board of the Company.
1011
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The primary duties of the Compensation Committee include: (i) reviewing the
compensation levels of the Company's primary executive officers and certain
other members of senior management, (ii) consulting with and making
recommendations to the Company's Option Committee regarding the Company's
overall policy of granting options and awards under the Company's long-term
incentive plans, (iii) monitoring the performance of senior management, and
(iv) related matters. A decision to employ any person with an annual
compensation of $150,000 or more (or any increase in annual compensation to
$150,000 or more) must be approved by the Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of non-employee Directors.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company's executive compensation programs are based upon the recognition
that The Wet Seal, Inc. competes in a creative industry in which it is critical
to stay current with rapidly changing trends and styles. Competition is intense
for talented executives who can successfully guide a company in this type of
competitive environment. Therefore, the Company's compensation programs are
designed to provide total compensation packages that will both attract talented
individuals to the Company as well as provide rewards based upon the Company's
long-term success.
With these principles in mind, the Compensation Committee has set forth the
following guidelines:
1. Provide base salaries which are competitive in the retail clothing
industry to attract and retain talented individuals;
2. Provide annual bonuses that are tied to the Company's short-term
performance to align the interests of the Company's executives with those of
its stockholders; and
3. Provide long-term incentive benefits which will reward long-term
commitment to the Company.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Base salaries for executive officers are established with a view to the
responsibilities of the position and the experience of the individual. Salary
levels are also fixed with reference to comparable companies in retail and
related trades. The salaries of key executive officers and the incentive plans
in which they participate are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee in
light of the Committee's assessment of individual performance, contribution to
the Company and level of responsibility.
The Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and the President and Chief
Operating Officer are eligible pursuant to their employment agreements to
receive annual cash bonuses of 3.5% and 2%, respectively, of the Company's
pre-tax profit. The Compensation Committee believes that tying annual cash
bonuses to the Company's profitability aligns the interests of management with
stockholders and encourages intensive efforts to attain and increase
profitability. The CEO and the former President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company earned cash bonuses in fiscal 19992000 in the amounts of $834,470$1,110,445 and
$476,840,$634,540, respectively.
The Company also maintains an employee stock bonus plan in which the top
executives and other key employees of the Company are eligible to participate.
Awards under this plan to
executives are calculated by multiplying the Company's fiscal
year-end pre-tax profit as a percentage of sales by the executive'semployee's base salary
and dividing such amount by the price of the Company's Class A Common Stock as
of the end of the fiscal year. Grants under the stock bonus plan vest over a
period of three years.
Stock options are granted to executive officers and other key employees
whose contributions are considered important to the long-term success of the
Company pursuant to the Company's long-term incentive plans. Stock options have
historically been granted by the Option Committee on a case-by-casecase-by-
12
case basis based upon the Board's evaluation of an individual's past
contributions and potential future
11
contributions to the Company. In granting
stock options, the Option Committee takes into consideration the anticipated
long-term contributions of an individual to the potential growth and success of
the Company, as well as the number of options previously granted to the
individual.
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Since March 1992, Kathy Bronstein has served as CEO of the Company.
Ms. Bronstein received a base salary of $375,000 in fiscal 1995. In December
1995, Ms. Bronstein's employment agreement was amended to increase her base
salary to $550,000. The Compensation Committee deemed this increase appropriate
in light of the Company's recent performance and the successful acquisition of
the Contempo Casuals chain, which substantially increased the size of the
Company. In February 2001, Ms. Bronstein's employment agreement was amended to
increase her base salary to $650,000. As the Company continues to adapt to a
changed environment in the women's retail apparel industry, the Compensation
Committee believes that Ms. Bronstein's experience and capabilities will be
critical in enabling the Company to remain competitive and profitable.
Ms. Bronstein is eligible to receive a non-cumulative annual adjustment (in lieu
of a cost of living adjustment) to her base salary of 0.5% of the pre-tax
profits of the Company for the preceding fiscal year to the extent this amount
exceeds the aggregate cash dividends Ms. Bronstein is eligible to receive on her
holdings of Company common stock for the same fiscal year. Ms. Bronstein
received such an adjustment in fiscal 1999.2000. See "Executive Compensation and
Other Information-EmploymentInformation--Employment Agreements." Ms. Bronstein is also eligible to
receive an annual cash bonus pursuant to her employment agreement of 3.5% of the
pre-tax profits of the Company for each fiscal year. Under this formula,
Ms. Bronstein earned a cash bonus in fiscal 19992000 in the amount of $834,470.$1,110,445.
LIMITATIONS ON DEDUCTIBILITY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, enacted as
part of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, limits the deductibility of
compensation paid to certain executive officers of the Company beginning with
the Company's taxable year 1994. To qualify for deductibility under Section
162(m), compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to the Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
at the end of such fiscal year generally must be either (1) paid pursuant to a
written binding contract in effect on February 17, 1993 or
(2) "performance-based" compensation as determined under Section 162(m). In
order to be considered "performance-based" for this purpose, compensation must
be paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more pre-established
performance goals established by a committee of two or more "outside directors,"
pursuant to an arrangement that has been disclosed to and approved by
stockholders. Also, in order for an arrangement to give rise to fully deductible
"performance-based" compensation, the terms of the arrangement must preclude the
exercise of any discretion in the administration of the plan that would have the
effect of increasing compensation paid thereunder.
POLICY WITH RESPECT TO QUALIFYING COMPENSATION DEDUCTIBILITY
The Company's policy with respect to the deductibility limit of Section
162(m) of the Code generally is to preserve the federal income tax deductibility
of compensation paid when it is appropriate and is in the best interest of the
Company and its stockholders. However, the Company reserves the right to
authorize the payment of non-deductible compensation if it deems that it is
appropriate.
The Compensation Committee
Irving Teitelbaum
Wilfred Posluns
George H. Benter, Jr.
1213
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative stockholder return on the
Company's Class A Common Stock with the return on the Total Return Index for the
Nasdaq Stock Market (US) and the Nasdaq Retail Trade Stocks. The Performance
Graph assumes $100 invested on January 27, 1995February 2, 1996 in the stock of The Wet
Seal, Inc., the Nasdaq Stock Market (US) and the Nasdaq Retail Trade Stocks. It
also assumes that all dividends are reinvested.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
FOR THE WET SEAL, INC. CLASS A COMMON STOCK
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
NASDAQ STOCK NASDAQ RETAIL
DOLLARS THE WET SEAL, INC. MARKET (US) TRADE STOCKS
1/27/95*2/2/96* 100 100 100
2/2/96* 184 142 112
1/31/97* 503 184 138273 130 123
1/30/98* 766 218 161415 153 143
1/29/99* 941 340 197510 240 175
1/28/00* 275 513 161149 370 140
2/2/01* 420 252 108
- ------------------------
* Date closestClosest preceding trading date to the beginning of the Company's fiscal
year end.year.
The historical stock performance shown on the graph is not necessarily
indicative of future price performance.
1314
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of April 12, 2000,13, 2001, for (i) each
person known to the Company to have beneficial ownership of more than 5% of each
class of the Company's capital stock; (ii) each of the Company's directors;
(iii) each of the Company's executive officers designated in the Summary
Compensation Table; and (iv) all directors and officers of the Company as a
group. As of April 12, 2000,13, 2001, there were 10,904,02311,503,300 and 2,912,665 shares of
Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, respectively.
% % %
BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL PERCENT
NUMBER OWNERSHIP NUMBER OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP OF VOTE OF
OF SHARES OF SHARES OF SHARES OF SHARES OF ALL CLASSES ALL CLASSES
NAME OF CLASS A OF CLASS A OF CLASS B OF CLASS B OF STOCK OF STOCK
- ---- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------------- -----------
Los Angeles Express Fashions, Inc.
(Suzy Shier Equities, Inc. Subsidiary)(1)................... -- -- 1,455,000 50.0% 11.7% 18.9%11.1% 18.1%
1604 St. Regis Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P1H6
3254127 Canada,Maisar Investments, Inc.
(GTHI(Gross-Teitelbaum Holdings Inc.
Subsidiary)(1).................................... -- -- 815,573 28.0% 6.5% 10.6%6.2% 10.2%
1604 St. Regis Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P1H6
Suzy Shier Equities, Inc.
(Suzy Shier Ltd. Subsidiary)(1).............................. 290,500 3.0%.............. -- -- 175,000 6.0% 3.7% 4.2%1.3% 2.2%
1604 St. Regis Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P1H6
Suzy Shier, Limited Inc. (Suzy Shier Ltd.
Subsidiary)(1)......................... 58,000............................... 80,700 * -- -- * *
1604 St. Regis Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P1H6
First Canada Management Consultants
Limited
(1).......................................... 40,000Limited(1)................................... 6,000 * -- -- * *
17101604 St. Regis Blvd.
Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P1H6
Kathy Bronstein (2)............................ 112,341 1.2%Bronstein(2)............................. 7,607 * 467,092 16.0% 4.6% 6.8%
Edmond Thomas (3).............................. 129,757 1.3% -- -- 1.0% *
Barbara Bachman (4)............................ 10,532 * -- * *
Sharon Hughes (4).............................. 10,0023.6% 5.9%
Greg Scott(3).................................. 20,000 * -- -- * *
Ann Cadier Kim (4)Kim(3).............................. 17,155 * -- -- * *
Barbara Bachman(3)............................. 15,5827,145 * -- -- * *
Sharon Hughes(3)............................... 18,631 * -- -- * *
Edmond Thomas(4)............................... 887 * -- -- * *
George H. Benter, Jr. (4)...................... 4,500(3)....................... 7,500 * -- -- * *
Walter F. Loeb (4)............................. 13,400Loeb(3).............................. 16,400 * -- -- * *
Wilfred Posluns (4)............................ 10,000Posluns(3)............................. 3,000 * -- -- * *
Gerald Randolph (4)............................ 3,000Randolph................................ -- * -- -- * *
Alan Siegel (4)................................ 2,000Siegel.................................... -- * -- -- * *
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC (5).................... 967,030 10.1%SAFECO Corporation(5).......................... 817,600 8.0% -- -- 7.8% 6.3%
30 Rockefeller6.2% 5.1%
SAFECO Plaza
New York, New York 10020
Mellon Financial Corporation Seattle, Washington 98185
FMR Corp.(6)............... 692,407 7.2%................................... 693,500 6.8% -- -- 5.6% 4.5%
One Mellon Center Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15258
FMR Corp. (7).................................. 501,700 5.2% -- -- 4.0% 3.3%5.3% 4.3%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
The TCW Group, Inc.(7)......................... 571,800 5.6% -- -- 4.4% 3.6%
865 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017
All directors and officers as a group
(13(16 individuals)............................. 706,415 7.1%(3).......................... 185,025 1.8% 2,912,665 100.0% 28.3% 41.6%23.6% 37.5%
- ------------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Los Angeles Express Fashions, Inc., 3254127 Canada,Maisar Investments, Inc., Suzy Shier
Equities, Inc., Suzy Shier, LimitedInc. and First Canada Management Consultants
Limited are directly or indirectly controlled by Irving Teitelbaum, Chairman
of the Board, and Stephen Gross, Secretary and a director of the Company.
These stockholders beneficially own shares which in the aggregate
15
represent approximately 34.1%31.0% of the total voting power with respect to the
Company. Shares held by First Canada Management Consultants Limited include
options representing the immediate right to purchase 40,0006,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock. Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, a
Class B stockholder has the right at any time to convert any share of
Class B Common Stock into one share of Class A Common Stock.
(2) Ms. Bronstein has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all of
the stated holdings of Class A and Class B Common Stock. Shares held include
options representing the immediate right to purchase 107,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock. Ms. Bronstein also
holds options to purchase an additional 230,000160,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock which become exercisable over the next fivefour years. 14
Under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, a Class B stockholder has the right at any
time to convert any share of Class B Common Stock into one share of Class A
Common Stock.
(3) Shares held include options representing the immediate right to purchase the
following shares of Class A Common Stock: Mr. Scott--20,000; Ms. Cadier
Kim--14,000; Ms. Bachman--2,000; Ms. Hughes--14,500; Mr. Benter--6,000;
Mr. Loeb--15,000 and Mr. Posluns--3,000.
(4) Mr. Thomas resigned as a director and as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company effective November 2000. Mr. Thomas has sole voting
and dispositive power with respect to all of the stated holdings of Class A
Common Stock.
Shares held include options
representing the immediate right to purchase 120,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock. Mr. Thomas also holds options to purchase an additional
230,000 shares of Class A Common Stock which become exercisable over the
next five years.
(4) Shares held include options representing the immediate right to purchase the
following shares of Class A Common Stock: Ms. Bachman-6,000; Ms.
Hughes-6,500; Ms. Cadier Kim-13,000; Messrs. Benter and Randolph-3,000 each;
Mr. Loeb-12,000; Mr. Posluns-10,000 and Mr. Siegel-2,000.
(5) As reported in a Schedule 13G/A13G dated January 28, 2000, Lazard Freres & Co.
LLC ("Lazard")12, 2001, SAFECO Corporation
beneficially owns 967,030817,600 shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Company.
(6) As reported in a Schedule 13G dated January 25, 2000, Mellon Financial
Corporation ("Mellon")February 14, 2001, FMR Corp.
beneficially owns 692,407693,500 shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Company.
(7) As reported in a Schedule 13G/A13G dated February 14, 2000, FMR Corp.12, 2001, The TCW Group, Inc.
beneficially owns 501,700571,800 shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Company.
PROPOSAL #2
AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S 1996 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
GENERAL
The Wet Seal, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), was adopted
by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders in June 1997, and a
total of 1,650,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock ("Shares") are
currently authorized for issuance thereunder. As of April 17, 2001, the record
date for the Annual Meeting, options and other awards granted under the Plan to
purchase 1,442,000 Shares were outstanding, leaving only 208,000 Shares
available for future grants under the Plan.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO INCREASE SHARES AUTHORIZED
The Company's Board of Directors has adopted, subject to stockholder
approval, an amendment to the Plan to increase the number of Shares authorized
for issuance under the Plan by 1,000,000 Shares. The full text of the amendment
is set forth as Exhibit B to this proxy statement. If the proposed amendment is
approved, the total number of Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan will
be 2,650,000. The Plan is intended to serve as a qualified performance-based
compensation program under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"). Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction by an
employer for certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year paid by a
publicly traded corporation to the chief executive officer and the four most
highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer.
Certain compensation, including compensation based on performance goals, is
excluded from this deduction limit. Among the requirements for compensation to
qualify for exclusion from the deduction limit is that the material terms
pursuant to which the compensation is to be paid, including the performance
goals, be disclosed to and approved by stockholders in a separate vote prior to
the payment. The amendment to the Plan is therefore being submitted to the
Company's stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO
THE PLAN.
16
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
PURPOSE AND ELIGIBILITY
The purpose of the Plan is to strengthen the Company by providing employees
and others added incentive for high levels of performance and for extraordinary
efforts to increase the earnings and long-term growth of the Company. The Plan
seeks to accomplish this purpose by enabling Participants (as defined below) to
purchase or acquire Shares, stock appreciation rights or other equity-based
rights, thereby increasing their proprietary interest in the Company's success
and encouraging them to remain in the employ or service of the Company. The Plan
provides for the issuance of incentive stock options within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code, as well as non-statutory stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted or nonrestricted awards of shares, performance
grants, certain limited rights issued in tandem with stock options, or any
combination of the foregoing ("Awards"). Employees, officers, directors,
consultants and independent contractors (including dealers, distributors and
other business entities or persons providing services) of the Company and its
subsidiaries ("Participants") are eligible for Awards under the Plan. The
approximate number of persons eligible to participate is 5,000. Assuming the
approval of the amendment to increase the number of Shares authorized under the
Plan, the Company will have authorized 2,650,000 Shares for issuance under the
Plan. As of April 17, 2001, such shares have an aggregate market value of
$59,863,500.
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan is administered by the Option Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Option Committee, in its sole discretion, has the authority, among other
things, to determine the terms of all Awards granted under the Plan, including
any purchase or exercise price for an Award; to determine which employees,
outside consultants and independent contractors will be granted Awards, and the
time or times at which Awards will be granted, exercised and become forfeitable;
to determine the number of Shares covered by an Award; to interpret the Plan;
and to make all other determinations deemed advisable for the administration of
the Plan.
OPTIONS
The Option Committee may from time to time grant incentive stock options
("Incentive Options") and non-statutory options ("Non-Qualified Options", and
together with Incentive Options, "Options") to any Participant. The terms of
Options granted under the Plan will be set out in agreements between the Company
and Participants which will contain such provisions as the Option Committee from
time to time deems appropriate, including the exercise price and expiration date
of such Options. Option agreements will specify whether or not an Option is an
Incentive Option.
In no event will the exercise price of an Incentive Option or Non-Qualified
Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the
Shares subject to such Option on the date of grant. The term of Incentive
Options cannot exceed ten years from the date of grant and generally cannot
extend beyond a Participant's employment or relationship with the Company. The
aggregate fair market value, determined as of the time the Incentive Option is
granted, of the Shares which may become exercisable for the first time by any
employee during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. No Incentive Option
will be granted to an employee, who, at the time of grant, owns (within the
meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) stock representing more than ten percent
(10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,
its parent or subsidiaries, unless the exercise price of the Incentive Option is
at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the fair market value, at the
time of grant, of the Shares subject to the Option, and the Option by its terms
is not exercisable more than five years from the date of grant.
The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an
Option, including the method of payment, will be determined by the Option
Committee and may consist of promissory notes,
17
other Shares or such other consideration and method of payment for the Shares as
may be permitted under applicable federal and state laws.
If a Participant ceases to be employed by, or ceases to have a relationship
with, the Company for any reason other than disability, cause, retirement or
death, such Participant's Options, to the extent exercisable at the time of
termination, may be exercised for a period of three months thereafter or the
date of expiration of the option by its terms, whichever is earlier. In the
event of a Participant's disability or death, such Participant's Options will
become fully vested and exercisable and will expire not later than one year
thereafter or the date of expiration of the option by its terms, whichever is
earlier. When a Participant retires, such Participant's Options will become
fully vested and exercisable and will expire not later than two years thereafter
or the date of expiration of the option by its terms, whichever is earlier. The
decision as to whether a termination is by reason of retirement will be made by
the Option Committee, whose decision will be final and conclusive. If a
Participant's employment or relationship with the Company is terminated for
cause, such Participant's Options will expire immediately; provided, however,
that the Option Committee may waive expiration and permit the Participant to
exercise Options, to the extent exercisable at the time of termination, for a
period of three months from the date of notice of such waiver.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
The Option Committee from time to time may grant stock appreciation rights
("SARs") to any Participant either at the time of grant of an Option or
thereafter by amendment to an Option. The exercise of an Option will result in
an immediate cancellation of its corresponding SAR, and vice versa. SARs will
expire at the same time as the related Option expires, and will be exercisable
and transferable when, to the extent and on the condition that the related
Option is exercisable or transferable. No SAR may be exercised unless the fair
market value per Share on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the
related Option. Upon the exercise of an SAR, a Participant will be entitled to
receive an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value per
Share on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the Option to which the
SAR corresponds. Such payment may be satisfied by the Company in cash, in
Shares, or in a combination thereof, as determined by the Option Committee.
All SARs will be exercised automatically, to the extent the corresponding
Option is then exercisable, (A) on the last business day prior to the expiration
date of the related Option at the end of its stated term or (B) following
(i) the death, disability or retirement of a Participant or (ii) the termination
of a Participant's employment or relationship with the Company for any reason
other than cause; provided the fair market value per Share of the underlying
Shares on that date exceeds the exercise price of the related Option.
LIMITED RIGHTS
The Option Committee may grant limited rights ("Limited Rights") with
respect to all or some of the Shares covered by an Option at the time the Option
is granted or by amendment to a previously granted Option. A Limited Right will
be exercisable (A) during the 60 day period commencing on any date after the
effective date of the Plan on which a person or group, whose beneficial
ownership of Shares exceeds the aggregate beneficial ownership of the officers
and directors of the Company (excluding Shares owned by a director or officer
who is the person or a member of the group), becomes the direct or indirect
beneficial owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the Company's outstanding
Shares, and (B) if stated in the Limited Right grant, upon the occurrence of an
event pursuant to which the outstanding Shares of the Company are increased,
decreased, changed into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares
or securities, without receipt of consideration by the Company, through
reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, stock consolidation or otherwise. Upon the exercise
of a Limited Right, a
18
Participant will be entitled to receive from the Company, in cash, an amount
equal to the difference between the fair market value per Share of the Shares on
the exercise and the grant dates. Upon the exercise or termination of an Option,
any related Limited Right shall terminate.
PERFORMANCE GRANTS
The Option Committee may award performance grants ("Performance Grants") to
Participants at any time, and it has sole discretion in determining the size and
composition of, the period over which performance is to be measured for, and the
performance goals and obligations for, Performance Grants. Performance Grants
under the Plan may include specific dollar-value target grants, performance
units and/or performance shares. The value of each Performance Grant may be
fixed or it may be permitted to fluctuate based on performance factors selected
by the Option Committee. The earned portion of a Performance Grant may be paid
in restricted or nonrestricted shares, cash or a combination of both, as
determined in the sole discretion of the Option Committee.
A Participant must be an employee of the Company at the end of the
performance cycle in order to be entitled to payment of a Performance Grant
issued in respect of such cycle; provided, however, that a Participant may earn
a partial Performance Grant based upon the elapsed portion of the cycle and the
Company's performance during such portion of the cycle, if the Participant
ceases to be an employee of the Company as a result of his death, disability or
retirement. In the event of a change of control, a Participant will earn no less
than the portion of the Performance Grant that the participant would have earned
if the performance cycle had terminated as of the date of the change in control.
RESTRICTED AND NONRESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS
The Option Committee may at any time from time award Shares to such
Participants and in such amounts as it determines. Each award of Shares will
specify the applicable restrictions, if any, on such Shares, the duration of
such restrictions, and the time or times at which such restrictions shall lapse.
Restricted Shares may be issued at the time of award subject to forfeiture
in the event the applicable restrictions do not lapse, or upon lapse of such
restrictions. If Restricted Shares are issued at the time of award, the
Participant will be required to deposit certificates representing such
Restricted Shares with the Company during the period of any restriction and to
execute a blank stock power therefor. Except as otherwise provided by the Option
Committee, during the period of any restriction, the Participant will have all
rights and privileges of a stockholder with respect to Restricted Shares awarded
to him, including the right to receive dividends and to vote.
Unless otherwise provided by the Option Committee, all restrictions on
Restricted Shares will lapse upon termination of a Participant's employment or
relationship with the Company due to death, disability, retirement or a change
of control during a period of restriction. If a Participant's employment or
relationship with the Company is terminated for any other reason, all Restricted
Shares awarded to such Participant will be forfeited to the Company.
WITHHOLDING
With respect to any payments made to Participants under the Plan, the
Company will have the right to withhold any taxes required by law to be withheld
because of such payments.
ADJUSTMENT FOR RECAPITALIZATION, MERGER, ETC.
If any change is made to the Shares by reason of an event pursuant to which
the outstanding Shares of the Company are increased, decreased or changed into,
or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, without
receipt of consideration by the Company, through reorganization, merger,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend,
19
stock consolidation or otherwise, appropriate adjustments will be made by the
Option Committee to the kind and maximum number of shares subject to the Plan
and the kind and number of Shares and price per Share of stock subject to each
outstanding Award.
LIMITATION ON BENEFITS
No option, SAR or Limited Right may be exercised, no share award will vest
and no Performance Grant will be paid to the extent such exercise, vesting or
payment will create an "excess parachute payment" as defined in Section 280G of
the Code.
TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS
No grant of Options, SARs, Limited Rights, Performance Grants or other
rights granted under the Plan is assignable or transferable except by will or
the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of a Participant,
Awards are exercisable only by the Participant.
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT
The Option Committee may at any time discontinue granting Awards under the
Plan or otherwise suspend, amend or terminate the Plan, and may, with the
consent of the optionee or grantee, make such modification of the terms and
conditions of an Award as it shall deem advisable. Amendments or modifications
to the Plan or any Award are deemed adopted as of the date of the action of the
Option Committee effecting such amendment or modification and are effective
immediately, unless otherwise provided therein, subject to approval thereof (i)
within twelve (12) months before or after the effective date by shareholders of
the Corporation voting in person or by proxy at a duly held shareholders'
meeting when required to maintain or satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of
the Code with respect to Incentive Options, or Section 162(m) of the Code with
respect to performance-based compensation, (ii) by an appropriate governmental
agency, or (iii) when required by a securities exchange or automated quotation
system. No Option may be granted during any suspension or after termination of
the Plan.
PLAN BENEFITS
In as much as Awards to all Participants under the Plan will be granted at
the sole discretion of the Option Committee, neither the benefits which will be
received by or allocated to Participants under the Plan, nor the benefits which
would have been received by or allocated to Participants if the Plan had been in
effect during the last fiscal year, are determinable.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
The following is a brief discussion of the Federal income tax consequences
of option grants under the Plan based on the Code, as in effect as of the date
hereof. This discussion is not intended to be exhaustive, does not describe the
state or local tax consequences and is not tax advice.
No taxable income is realized by the Participant upon the grant or exercise
of an Incentive Option. If Shares are issued to a Participant pursuant to the
exercise of an Incentive Option, and if no disqualifying disposition of such
Shares is made by the Participant within two years after the date of grant or
within one year after the transfer of such Shares to such Participant, then (1)
upon sale of such Shares, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price
will be taxed to such Participant as a long-term capital gain and any loss
sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and (2) no deduction will be allowed
to the Company for Federal income tax purposes. If the Shares acquired upon the
exercise of an Incentive Option are disposed of prior to the expiration of
either holding period described above, generally (1) the Participant will
realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the
excess (if any) of the fair market value of such Shares at exercise (or, if
less, the amount realized
20
on the disposition of such Shares) over the exercise price paid for such Shares,
and (2) the Company will be entitled to deduct such amount for Federal income
tax purposes if the amount represents an ordinary and necessary business
expense. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the Participant will be taxed as
short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss), as the case may be, and will not
result in any deduction by the Company. Subject to certain exceptions for
disability or death, if an Incentive Option is exercised more than three months
following the termination of employment, the exercise of the Option will
generally be taxed as the exercise of a Non-Qualified Option. The amount by
which the fair market value of the Shares on the exercise date of an Incentive
Option exceeds the exercise price generally will constitute an item which
increases the optionee's alternative minimum taxable income.
With respect to Non-Qualified Options, in general, (1) no income is realized
by the Participant at the time the Option is granted; (2) generally, at
exercise, ordinary income is realized by the Participant in an amount equal to
the difference between the exercise price paid for the Shares and the fair
market value of the Shares, if unrestricted, on the date of exercise, and the
Company is generally entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount subject to
applicable tax withholding requirements; and (3) at sale appreciation (or
depreciation) after the date as of which amounts are includable in income is
treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on
how long the Shares have been held.
PROPOSAL #3
RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors, after consideration of the recommendation of the
Audit Committee, has nominated the independent public accounting firm of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year
2000.2001. Stockholders will be asked to ratify the nomination of the Board of
Directors. Deloitte & Touche LLP has served as the Company's auditors since
fiscal 1989. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present
at the Annual Meeting and will be available to make a statement if they desire
and are expected to respond to appropriate inquiries from the stockholders.
Although ratification of the auditors by stockholders is not legally required,
the Company's Board of Directors believes such ratification to be in the best
interest of the Company.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The federal securities laws require the filing of certain reports by
officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company's
securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific due dates have
been established and the Company is required to disclose in this Proxy Statement
any failure to file by these dates. Based solely on a review of copies of the
filings furnished to the Company, the Company believes that during fiscal 1999,2000,
all such filing requirements were satisfied by the Company's officers, directors
and ten percent (10%) stockholders.stockholders, except as set forth below.
Three officers hired in fiscal 2000, Greg Scott, Stephen Cox and Steven
Strickland, did not file the required Form 3 on a timely basis.
21
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to come before the Annual
Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the Annual
Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy or their
substitutes will vote in their discretion on such matters.
The cost of this solicitation or proxies will be borne by the Company.
Arrangements may be made with brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries to send proxies and materials to their principals and, upon request,
the Company will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR PRESENTATION
AT 20012002 ANNUAL MEETING
If a Stockholder of the Company wishes to present a proposal for
consideration at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must be
received at the executive offices of the Company no later than December 25,
2000,2001, to be considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and form
of Proxy for that Annual Meeting.
1522
EXHIBIT INDEX
NUMBER DESCRIPTION PAGE
------ ----------- --------
A AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER..................................... A-1
B SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE WET SEAL, INC. 1996 LONG-TERM
INCENTIVE PLAN.............................................. B-1
EXHIBIT A
THE WET SEAL, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
This charter shall be reviewed, updated and approved annually by the board
of directors.
ROLE AND INDEPENDENCE
The audit committee of the board of directors assists the board in
fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the
accounting, auditing and reporting practices of the corporation and other such
duties as directed by the board. The membership of the committee shall consist
of at least three directors who are generally knowledgeable in financial and
auditing matters. Each member shall be free of any relationship that in the
opinion of the board, would interfere with his or her individual exercise of
independent judgment, and shall meet the director independence requirements for
serving on audit committees as set forth in the corporate governance standards
of Nasdaq. The committee is expected to maintain free and open communication
(including private executive sessions at least annually) with the independent
accountants, the internal auditors and the management of the corporation. In
discharging this oversight role, the committee is empowered to investigate any
matter brought to its attention, with full power to retain outside counsel or
other experts for this purpose.
The board of directors shall appoint one member of the audit committee as
chairperson. He or she shall be responsible for leadership of the committee,
including preparing the agenda, presiding over the meetings, making committee
assignments and reporting to the board of directors. The chairperson will also
maintain regular liaison with the CEO, CFO, and lead independent audit partner
and the director of internal audit.
The audit committee may request attendance at any one or more of the
meetings of the committee of outside counsel, the independent auditor or any
officer of the company.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The audit committee's primary responsibilities include:
Recommending to the board the independent accountant to be selected or
retained to audit the financial statements of the corporation as well as
approving its fees and reviewing its performance. In so doing, the committee
will request from the auditor a written affirmation that the director is in
fact independent, discuss with the auditor any relationships that may impact
the auditor's independence, and recommend to the board any actions necessary
to oversee the auditor's independence.
Overseeing the independent auditor relationship by discussion with the
auditor the nature and rigor of the audit process, receiving and reviewing
audit reports, and providing the auditor full access to the committee (and
the board) to report on any and all appropriate matters.
Providing guidance and oversight to the internal audit activities of the
corporation including reviewing the organization, plans and results of such
activity.
Reviewing the audited financial statements and discussing them with
management and the independent auditor. These discussions shall include
consideration of the quality of the Company's accounting principles as
applied in its financial reporting, including review of audit adjustments
whether or not recorded any such other inquires as may be appropriate. Based
on the review, the committee shall make its recommendation to the board as
to the inclusion of the company's audited consolidated financial statements
in the company's annual report on Form 10-K.
A-1
Discussing with management, the internal auditors and the external auditors
the quality and adequacy of the company's internal controls.
Discussing with management and legal counsel the status of pending
litigation, taxation matters and other areas of oversight to the legal and
compliance area as may be appropriate.
Reporting audit committee activities to the full board and issuing annually
a report to be included in the proxy statement (including appropriate
oversight conclusions) for submission to the shareholders.
Meeting at least annually with the chief financial officer, the senior
internal auditing executive and the independent auditor in separate
executive sessions.
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in
this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete
and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. This is the responsibility of management and the independent
auditor. Nor is it the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct
investigations, to resolve disagreements, if any, between management and the
independent auditor or to assure compliance with laws and regulations.
A-2
EXHIBIT B
SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE WET SEAL, INC.
1996 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 5.1 is amended to delete the following words each time they appear
therein "one million six hundred and fifty thousand (1,650,000)" and to replace
the deleted words with "two million six hundred and fifty thousand (2,650,000)".
B-1
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PROXY THE WET SEAL, INC. PROXY--2000PROXY--2001 ANNUAL MEETING PROXY
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY 31, 200030, 2001
The undersigned, a stockholder of The Wet Seal, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, appoints Kathy Bronstein and Edmond Thomas,Irving Teitelbaum, or either of
them, his true and lawful agents and proxies, each with full power of
substitution, to vote all shares of stock that the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of The Wet Seal, Inc. to be held at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton
Blvd., Costa Mesa, California 92626 on May 31, 2000,30, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., and any
adjournment thereof, with respect to the following matters which are more
fully explained in the Proxy Statement of the Company dated April 24, 2000,2001,
receipt of which is acknowledged by the undersigned:
NEW ADDRESS:
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Check here for / /
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address change --------------------------------------------
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--------------------------
--------------------------
(Continued and to be signed
and dated on reverse side)
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/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTES AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE.
The Board of Directors recommends voting FOR each of the following proposals.
FOR WITHHOLD
ALL NOMINEES AUTHORITY
1. Election of / / / / NOMINEES:
Directors
NOMINEES: George H. Benter, Jr., Kathy Bronstein,
Stephen Gross, Walter F. Loeb, Wilfred
Posluns, Gerald Randolph, Alan Siegel,
Irving Teitelbaum
Edmond Thomas
Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominee's name on the space provided below.
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FOR ABSTAIN AGAINST
2. RatificationApproval of an amendment to the selection byCompany's 1996 / / / / / /
Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of
shares issuable under such plan.
3. Ratification of the selection by the Board of / / / / / /
Directors of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent
Auditors for the Company for the year ending
February 3, 2001.
3.2, 2002.
4. Such other matters as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors at present
knows of no other matters to be brought before
the Annual Meeting.
This proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions given. If no
direction is made, the shares represented by this proxy will be voted FOR
proposals 1, 2 and 23 and will be voted in accordance with the discretion of
the proxies upon all other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE VOTE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
SIGNATURE(S) DATE
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Note:___________________________________________ DATE___________________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.