Wet Seal Bids for 508 Outlets of Bankrupt Dallas Retailer

Apparel retailer Wet Seal Inc. said Wednesday that it has made a bid to acquire 508 outlets operated by County Seat Stores Inc., a Dallas retailer of jeans and casual wear that is in bankruptcy.

County Seat representatives and various creditor groups have not responded to the proposal, Wet Seal said. County Seat in October filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

The Irvine company, which sells young women’s apparel, said it would convert the County Seat stores to its Wet Seal or Contempo Casuals outlets.

If the transaction goes through, the acquisition would boost the number of Wet Seal stores to about 900. The company currently operates 368 outlets in 34 states.

Last year, Wet Seal acquired Contempo Casuals, a 237-store chain, from Neiman Marcus Group.