Spotlight: Wet Seal to Start Catalog Business Next Year

Irvine-based Wet Seal Inc., the nation’s largest operator of mall-based junior women’s apparel stores, told shareholders it plans to launch a catalog-order business. It also said that its Blue Asphalt men’s clothing line is being expanded and that shoe sales at its Wet Seal and Contempo Casual chains continue to grow. The catalog division will make its debut early in 1998. The company said the catalog operation might serve as a springboard for the chains into Internet and international sales.