Plus-size fashionistas worry GLP1-s will make it even harder for them to shop
CNN • • business
Key Points:
- Plus-size clothing availability is declining at major retailers like Target and Old Navy, with Target reducing extended sizes by 37% from March 2025 to March 2026, and Old Navy cutting plus-size options by 12% this year.
- Retailers attribute the reduction in plus-size offerings to lower consumer demand and inventory inefficiencies, while analysts note that the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic is influencing consumer behavior and retail strategies.
- Plus-size shoppers feel marginalized as brands scale back inclusivity efforts, with some accusing retailers of using GLP-1 trends as an excuse to reduce plus-size options and push slimmer body ideals.
- Despite the shrinking plus-size market in mainstream stores, specialized businesses like The Plus Closet thrift store continue to serve plus-size customers, noting ongoing fluctuations in body sizes due to natural weight changes.
- The fashion industry’s retreat from plus-size inclusivity reflects broader challenges, including manufacturing complexities, increased costs, and shifting consumer preferences amid economic pressures and health trends.
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