The Wet Seal searches for a new chief merchant

The Wet Seal Inc., a multi-channel retailer of women’s fashion apparel and accessories, is searching for a replacement for Dyan Jozwick, who has resigned as chief merchant of its Wet Seal young women’s division, including e-commerce, the company says. Jozwick left Wet Seal to pursue other interests.

Jozwick played a key role in the “successful merchandising turnaround” of the Wet Seal division in 2005, says CEO Ed Thomas. “At Wet Seal, we have a strong, fast-fashion merchandising team that was built over the past several years by various merchant leaders, and the merchandising strategy is substantially complete for the upcoming back-to-school season,” he says. “During our search for a new Wet Seal chief merchant, I will take a more active role in the oversight of that organization.” The young women’s division operates online at WetSeal.com and has 401 Wet Seal stores.

The Wet Seal Inc., No. 326 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, also operates the Arden B division for women’s fashion apparel and accessories with ArdenB.com and 95 Arden B stores.