Due to the staggering levels of overweight and obese Americans, there is a significant amount of the population requiring sizes larger than what is typically considered standard. As a result, there is strong demand for plus size clothing. However, it is still considered a niche market in the U.S. as overweight Americans are less likely than average to spend, and spend at lower levels on clothing. As more consumers become aware of the health risks associated with being overweight or obese, there is a movement to encourage Americans to shift away from this state of being toward a healthier lifestyle. But, a decrease in the number of overweight people in the U.S. is likely to be a very long term trend, and it's doubtful that it will negatively impact this market in the near term.

Due to the staggering levels of overweight and obese Americans, there is a significant amount of the population requiring sizes larger than what is typically considered standard. As a result, there is strong demand for plus size clothing. However, it is still considered a niche market in the U.S. as overweight Americans are less likely than average to spend, and spend at lower levels on clothing. As more consumers become aware of the health risks associated with being overweight or obese, there is a movement to encourage Americans to shift away from this state of being toward a healthier lifestyle. But, a decrease in the number of overweight people in the U.S. is likely to be a very long term trend, and it's doubtful that it will negatively impact this market in the near term.

This report closely examines the variety of factors impacting the plus size teens and women’s’ clothing sector, most notably the prevalence of overweight and obese women in the U.S.

Some of the key issues covered in this report include:

How obesity rates in the U.S. are driving demand and sales for this category

How anti-obesity efforts may have a long-term negative impact on the market

Changes in consumer confidence and its link to apparel purchases

How plus size retailers and manufacturers are implementing new technology to offer a better fit and additional styles

An overview of the retail landscape for plus size clothing and consumers’ preferences for different channels

New retail concepts/brands entering the plus size market

Social media presence and initiatives among retailers

Purchasers plus size clothing, retailers shopped and amount spent

Reasons for not buying plus size clothing

Attitudes toward shopping for plus size clothing

Teens attitudes toward plus size clothing

How race and Hispanic origin impact shopping behavior and attitudes toward plus size clothing