Abstract
Purchases in the plus size teens' and women' s market are largely driven by the expanding size of the average American woman, accompanied by a desire to look as stylish as those wearing “regular”-sized clothing. The market encompasses plus-sized clothing sold in traditional department and specialty stores, along with goods increasingly found through Internet retailers.
This report offers in-depth discussion of the following topics:
- How current demographics are driving sales, as both younger women and Baby Boomers are demanding plus-sized clothing that suits their needs, and rejecting frumpy outdated clothing that was historically the mainstay offered by manufacturers and retailers.
- With some 61% of the U.S. population estimated to be overweight, brick-and-mortar manufacturers and retailers are realizing the sheer number of larger women and the extent of their spending power. Much of this response by traditional retailers has come about to counteract the growing influence and reach of online retailers, who have been much quicker and more proactive about offering plus-sized stylish clothing specifically cut to fit different shapes.
- How almost half of respondents to Mintel' s exclusive consumer research report purchasing plus-sized clothing within the past 12 months. However, the report also discusses how many consumers continued to be dissatisfied with the options available to them- younger women in particular.
- How targeting plus-sized consumers has become somewhat more acceptable, coinciding with a backlash against too-thin models and actresses. Plus-sized singers and actresses are becoming more visible and are being embraced by mainstream media.
- Additionally, this report explores the direction in which the plus-sized clothing market is heading, and why Mintel expects it to continue growing faster than the overall clothing market into 2011.
For the purposes of this report, Mintel includes retail sales of all clothes designed specifically for plus-sized teens and adult women.
These include the following apparel:
- Shirts
- Bottoms
- Suits
- Coats (outerwear)
- Sweaters
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Active sportswear
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