Opportunity in the US Plus-Size Apparel Market

Key Points

The women’s plus-size apparel market has been growing faster than the apparel market overall in the US, and analysts predict that the segment will continue to grow faster than the overall clothing market in coming years.

• American shoppers spent $21.4 billion on women’s plus-size clothing in 2016, according to The NPD Group.
• Consumer survey data indicate that more than a quarter of American women browse plus-size clothing.
• Newer retailers such as Torrid and Eloquii have emerged to serve younger and more style-conscious shoppers.Meanwhile, JCPenney has invested in its plus-size offering and Walmart is reportedly set to unveil a new, low-cost plus-size clothing brand of its own.
• According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the obesity rate among American women ages 20 and over is approximately 38%.