WATSONVILLE, Calif., Jan. 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Marine, Inc. (Nasdaq:WMAR). Upon the recommendation of its Governance and Compensation Committee, West Marine's board of directors, by unanimous written consent dated December 28, 2012, appointed a new independent director, Jamie Nordstrom, to its board.  Mr. Nordstrom also was appointed as the fourth member of West Marine's governance and compensation committee. His board and committee service is expected to commence on the first meetings scheduled in 2013, most likely in March, and Mr. Nordstrom, like all of the other directors, will stand for re-election to the board at West Marine's 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

Mr. Nordstrom has been Executive Vice President and President of Nordstrom Direct for Nordstrom, Inc. since 2005. His position supports Nordstrom.com, mobile, catalogs and fulfillment center operations. A fourth generation family member, Mr. Nordstrom began his career in the stockroom of Nordstrom's Bellevue, Washington store in 1986, and went on to hold a number of store and buying management positions. Prior to being named President of Nordstrom Direct, he helped lead an effort to implement a perpetual inventory system and build a multi-channel foundation to better serve customers in stores and online.

Together with the company's executive team, Mr. Nordstrom has continued to elevate the customer experience across all channels through improved technology and capabilities, greater speed and convenience, broader selection online and more personalized service.

Randy Repass, Chairman of West Marine, says, "We are thrilled to have Jamie join our board.  He is an extremely talented and well-respected retailer and a passionate boater. Jamie has demonstrated a track record of successfully achieving results and driving change across diverse operating units and we look forward to his contributions in our efforts to deliver a seamless, multi-channel proposition that provides an outstanding customer experience."

ABOUT WEST MARINE

West Marine, the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, has 300 company-operated stores located in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, and five franchised stores in Turkey. Our Direct-to-Customer division, which comprises our call center, direct mail and e-commerce channels, offers customers over 75,000 products plus the convenience of exchanging catalog and e-commerce purchases at our Store locations. Our Port Supply division is one of the largest wholesale distributors of marine equipment, serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies.West Marine's products and store locations, or to start shopping, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464).

The West Marine, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12719

CONTACT: West Marine, Inc.
         Matthew Hyde, President and Chief Executive Officer
         (831) 761-4229
West Marine, Inc.
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