Pacific Sunwear Exec Resigns; No Explanation

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. said Thursday that its vice president of merchandising for young men’s clothing and outlet stores has resigned.

The one-sentence announcement about Robert Sayre’s departure gave no details, and company officials could not be reached for comment.

Although young men’s apparel represents about 60% of Pacific Sunwear’s total sales, analysts said they did not expect the resignation to have much impact on the Anaheim retailer of casual apparel, which still has experienced workers in positions buttressing the post that Sayre occupied.

“There is plenty of experience both above and below to have a very smooth transition,” said Elizabeth Pierce of the Seidler Companies.

Pacific Sunwear’s young men’s clothing business suffered a setback last year after young male customers lost interest in the baggy pants stacked on store shelves.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 31, the specialty retailer posted record net income and sales. Pacific Sunwear’s stock closed Thursday at $31.13, down 25 cents a share in Nasdaq trading.