The trend: Retailers have been quietly sidelining plus-size clothing and reducing in-store quantities, even though most US women wear larger sizes.

Why this is happening: Many retailers expanded their in-store size options as part of a broader effort to support body diversity. But economic headwinds in recent years have led to store closures and scaled-back assortments in-store.

• Torrid said last month that it would close 180 of its roughly 630 stores this year to focus on expanding its digital presence. The company noted that 70% of its customers shop on its website.
• Gap announced in 2023 that its Old Navy brand would remove extended sizes from many stores, keeping them online.

The rising use and attention to weight-loss drugs has also contributed to retailers focusing on smaller sizes. However, strong demand exists for inclusive sizing: The majority (54.4%) of US women wear size 14 or above, according to Mys Tyler’s 2024 Insights report, which aggregated self-reported body data from more than 42,000 women.

Off the runway: As clothes for bigger women vanish from racks, so too does their representation in high-profile fashion venues.

The representation of models size 14 or larger at the major Autumn/Winter 2025 fashion shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris fell to 0.3% of 8,703 looks from 0.8% last season, per Vogue Business’ size inclusivity report. US sizes 0 to 4 accounted for 97.7% of catwalk looks at the fall/winter 2025 shows, while midsize (6 to 12) made up just 2%, down from 4.3% last season.

Why it matters: Retailers need to sell what’s appealing and profitable. But diminishing the shelf space for plus-size options risks alienating a key customer base at a time when economic concerns are curbing consumer spending.

With the value of the global plus-size clothing market expected to jump from $294.64 billion in 2024 to $445.3 billion by 2032, per Polaris Market Research, reducing visibility or access to plus-size clothing could cause retailers to miss a significant growth opportunity.

Our take: The shrinking presence of plus-size styles isn’t just a bad business decision; it’s out of step with consumer preferences.

Consumers value diversity. Just ask Target, which faced boycotts in wake of inclusion rollbacks. As attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion ramp up in the US, brands that once championed inclusivity should be cautious about reversing course: 55% of Black consumers, 54% of Hispanic consumers, 73% of LGBTQ+ consumers, and 36% of white consumers are more likely to consider buying brands that support DEI, per a February Collage Group survey cited by Quirk’s Media.

In this environment, apparel retailers must make efforts not just to expand inclusive offerings but to ensure their visibility, both in stores and advertising.

This content is part of EMARKETER’s subscription Briefings, where we pair daily updates with data and analysis from forecasts and research reports. Our Briefings prepare you to start your day informed, to provide critical insights in an important meeting, and to understand the context of what’s happening in your industry. Non-clients can click here to get a demo of our full platform and coverage.