The U.S. Market for Plus-Size Apparel : Packaged Facts

The U.S. Market for Plus-Size Apparel

Sep 1, 2001
254 Pages - Pub ID: LA376082

Ask a question about this report >

Email a colleague >

Printer format >

Order by fax >

Abstract

Table of Contents

Search Inside Report

Buy By the Section

Related Reports

Executive Summary
Scope and Methodology
- Market Parameters
- Report Methodology
The Market
- Sales of Women's Plus-Size Apparel to Reach $47 Billion by 2005
- Table 1-1: U.S. Retail Sales of Plus-Size Apparel, 1996-2005 (dollars)
- Intimate Apparel at $6 Billion
- Four Retailer Types Vie for Market Lead
- Plus-Size Apparel in Context of Larger Apparel Markets
- Plus-Size Clothing Comprises Nearly 30% of Women's Apparel Market
- A Booming Market, with Room to Grow
- Celebrities Lend Credibility, Boost Sales
- Catalogs, Internet Will Spur Market Growth
The Marketers
- Two Levels of Players
- Major Marketers
- Plus-Size Specialists
- Fashion Giants Upping the Ante
- Plus-Size Davids vs. Goliaths
- Urge to Merge Reshaping Competitive Landscape
Marketing and New Product Trends
- New Attitudes Towards Plus-Size Women
- But Old Prejudices Remain
- Tapping into Customer Loyalty
- The New Sex Appeal
- A Growing Emphasis on Supersizes
- Jumping Into Juniors
- New Demand for Prints, Patterns
- Fashion Items Are Hot Sellers
- Basic Wardrobe Builders Popular
- Lingerie/Intimatewear a Strong Segment
- $15 Million in Consumer Advertising
- A Wide Variety of Advertising Approaches
- Sex, the City, and Mr. Big: Lane Bryant Makes a Splash
- New Fashion Magazines Targeting Larger Women
Distribution and Retail
- Distribution Plays Key Role
- Retail Overview
- A Two-Way Bottleneck
- Discounters at the Lead
- New Dynamics for Specialty Stores
- Concept Shops in National Chains and Department Stores
- Segregation vs. Integration
- Catalog Retailers
- The Internet Impact
The Consumer
- Six Out of Ten Women Wear Size 12 or Larger
- Figure 1-1: Share of U.S. Women by Apparel Size: Size 12 and Above vs. Below Size 12, 2000 (percent)
- Larger Women Making Themselves Heard
- Plus-Size Lane Bryant Ranks 21st Among Jeans Brands
The Market
Introduction
- Scope of Report
- Others Broaden, Narrow Plus-Size Definition
- Reshaping Women's Apparel Sizes
- Plus Sizes Use Several Sizing Systems
- Table 2-1: Size Comparisons: Women's Apparel Sizing Systems
- Height, Weight, Other Measurements
- Petites
- Juniors Sizing
- Custom Made for Some, Custom Sizing for Most
Market History
- Six Out of Ten Women Wear Size 12 or Larger
- Larger Women Viewed as Social Outcasts
- Dying to Be Thin
- From Here to Maternity: Shapeless Styles Define Historical Market
- Social Norms Start to Shift as Women Enter Workplace
- Celebrity Support Is Major Catalyst for Change
- High-Profile Magazines Target Plus-Size Women
- Still a Long Way to Go
Plus-Size Products
- Plus-Size Product Categories Mirror Mainstream Women's Apparel Categories
- A Focus on Fashion, Refreshing Palettes
- An Explosion of Lingerie Products
- Larger Bodies Call for Specific Designs
- Plus-Size Petites Pose Special Problems
- Stretch, High-Tech, and Low-Tech Fabric Favorites
- Figure 2-1: U.S. Retail Sales of Plus-Size Apparel, 1996-2000 (dollars)
Market Size and Composition
- U.S. Retail Sales Climb to $31.6 Billion in 2000
- Table 2-2: U.S. Retail Sales of Plus-Size Apparel, 1996-2000 (dollars)
- Other Market Size Estimates Vary
- Sportswear Is Biggest Dollar Category
- Sweaters, Casual Pants Lead Year 2000 Growth
- Intimate Apparel at $6 Billion
- Four Retailer Types Vie for Market Lead
Market in Perspective
- Plus-Size Apparel in Context of Larger Apparel Markets
- U.S. Apparel Market Valued as High as $318 Billion
- Household Expenditures on the Rise
- Overall U.S. Women's Clothing Market at $96 Billion
- Plus-Size Clothing Comprises Nearly 30% of Women's Apparel Market
Factors to Market Growth
- A Booming Market, with Room to Grow
- More American Women Are Larger
- Wealthy Boomers Growing Older, Wider
- Fashion Splash Boosting Market Growth
- Retailers Getting with Plus-Size Program
- Catalogs, Internet Will Spur Incremental Growth
- Figure 2-2: Projected U.S. Retail Sales of Plus-Size Apparel, 2000-2005 (dollars)
Projected Market Growth
- Sales to Reach $47 Billion by 2005
- Table 2-3: Projected U.S. Retail Sales of Plus-Size Apparel, 2000-2005 (dollars)
The Marketers
Marketer Overview
- Hundreds of Companies Compete
- Two Levels of Players
- Major Marketers
- Plus-Size Specialists
- Major Fashion Marketers Are Newer Entrants
- Broadline Marketers vs. Niche Players
- Table 3-1: The U.S. Market for Plus-Size Apparel: Selected Marketers and Brand Lines
The Competitive Situation
- Private Label, National Brands on Top
- An Increasingly Competitive Field
- Marketer, Retailer Receptivity Increasing, But Retailer Bias Still an Issue
- Fit and Fashion as Competitive Factors
- Fashion Giants Upping the Ante
- Plus-Size Davids vs. Goliaths
- New Kids on Block Taking Aim
- Direct/Internet Marketers Take Personalized Approach
- Internet Presents Special Challenges
- Trend Toward Branding in Moderate Apparel
- Advertising to Build Strong Brands
- Private Label a Growing Factor
- Urge to Merge Reshaping Competitive Landscape
- McNaughton, Ann Travis, Donna Karan Acquired
- Licensing Deals Afford Easier Entry, Quick Expansion
- Market Stresses Take Their Toll
Competitive Profile: Danskin, Inc.
- Leading Marketer of Dancewear, Activewear
- A Venerable Dance Partner
- Financial Struggles Plague Company
- From Bad to Worse
- Turnaround Underway?
- Freestyle Line Right on Target
- Danskin.com: A "Lifestyle" Portal
Competitive Profile: Delta Burke Design
- Designing Woman a Market Pioneer
- Putting Plus-Size Customers First
- Licensing Deals Boost Growth
- Fashionable, Sexy Styles
Competitive Profile: Goddess Bra Company
- After 50-Plus Years, Goddess Still Reigns
- Fit Blends with Fashion
- Support Meets Styling
- New Line of Plus-Size Maternity Bras
Competitive Profile: Jones Apparel Group. Inc.
- Widespread Market Coverage
- Jones New York Woman, Intimates Woman
- Jones Acquires McNaughton Apparel Group in 2001
- McNaughton Challenged by Rapid Expansion
- Getting Back on Track
- Maggie McNaughton Is Plus-Size Entry
Competitive Profile: Kellwood Company
- Strength Through Diversity
- A Large Corporate Family
- A 40-Year-Old Company
- Acquiring Minds Want to Grow
- 1999 Koret Merger a Major Boost
- Corporate Giant Fields Plus-Size Extensions
- Emme Collection Targets Plus-Size Fashion
- Supermodel Puts Star Power Behind Plus-Size Fashion Line
- Fern Bratten Emphasizes Novelty Fashion
- Sag Harbor Plus Sizes Target Lifestyles
Competitive Profile: Leslie Fay Company, Inc.
- Back on Fashion Track
- Venerable Company Arises from Bankruptcy's Ashes
- Growth Through Acquisitions
- Licensing Drives Branding Efforts
- Leslie and Liz Team Up
- Refocusing Retail Strategy
Competitive Profile: Liz Claiborne, Inc.
- An Apparel Powerhouse
- A Broad Range of Labels
- Dressing Women for the Workplace
- Elisabeth Debuts in 1989
- Elisabeth Indigo Goes Casual
- elisabeth.com Launched in 2000
Competitive Profile: Sara Lee
- Everybody Likes Sara Lee
- Many Megabrands Under Sara Lee's Roof
- Company Reorganizes
- Hanes: Feeling Good All Under
- Plus-Size Athleticwear via Champion Woman
- Just My Size Debuts in 1994, Now Among Country's Leading Brands
Competitive Profile: Tommy Hilfiger Corporation
- From Hip Hop Elite to Mainstream Fashion King
- 2000 Revenues at $2 Billion
- From High School to High Fashion
- Tommy Hilfiger Woman Debuts
Competitive Briefs: Selected Marketers
- Ellen Tracy, Inc.
- Farr West Fashions
- Kiyonna Klothing
- One Step Up, Inc.
- Tamotsu
Marketing and new product Trends
Marketing Overview
- New Attitudes Towards Plus-Size Women
- But Old Prejudices Remain
- Tapping into Customer Loyalty
- Bye-Bye Baggy: A Focus on Better Fit
- Adapting from Misses Styles
- A Focus on Fashion
- From Casualwear to High Fashion
- Larger Women Join Waifs on Fashion Runways
- Celebrities Lend Credibility, Boost Sales
- The New Sex Appeal
- Plus-Size Petites for Shorter Women
- A Growing Emphasis on Supersizes
- Jumping Into Juniors
- New Competitors in Plus-Size Juniors
- Plus-Size Women Looking for Something New
- Marketers Still Face Retailer Reluctance
New Product Trends
- Fashion Driving Selection
- Practical Elements Important
- Rainbow Palettes Chasing Dowdy Away
- New Demand for Prints, Patterns
- Performance Fabrics Used for Greater Style, Performance, and Comfort
- Fashion Items Are Hot Sellers
- Faux Leathers, Animal Prints Are In
- There Are Limits
- Fashion Styles in Plus-Size Pants
- Basic Wardrobe Builders Popular
- Comfortable Clothing Are de Rigueur
- Eveningwear, Bridal Gowns an Underserved Niche
- A Growing Focus on Athleticwear
- Sport Bras Present Special Challenges
- Lingerie/Intimatewear a Strong Segment
- Plus-Size Bras No Longer a "Sea of White"
- Plus-Size Intimatewear Taking on Style
- Larger Women Want to Look Sexy, Too
- Special Aviana Bras Target Mastectomy Customers
- Swimwear Marketers Dive Into Plus Sizes
- Plus-Size-Specific Accessories
- Table 4-1: The U.S. Market for Plus-Size Apparel: Selected New Product Introductions, 1999-Summer 2001
Advertising and Promotion
- Methodology for Estimates of Consumer Advertising Expenditures
- A $15 Million Total, Placed Mostly in Magazines
- Just My Size Is Leading Spender, at Over $6 Million
- Plus-Size Retailer Lane Bryant Spends $3 Million
- Elisabeth, Sigrid Olsen, and Dana Buchman Also Strong Contenders
- Zana Di Also Tops Million-Dollar Mark
- Newcomer Emme Another Big Spender
- A Wide Variety of Approaches
- Just My Size Stars on Wal-Mart's In-Store TV
- Just My Size Says "I AM"
- Lane Bryant Drives Down Information Highway—and Runway
- Sex, the City, and Mr. Big: Lane Bryant Makes a Splash
- Emme Takes Hands-on Approach to Promotions
- Delta Burke Also Makes Personal Appeal
- Elisabeth Relies on Classic Fashion Appeal
- Maggie McNaughton Just Looks Expensive
- Plus-Size Women On Par with C. J. Banks
- Aviana Bras Best the Competition
- August Max Woman Counts on Coupons
- Seduce.Com Appeals to Full-Figured Women
- New Fashion Magazines Targeting Larger Women
- Trade Ads Put New Apparel Lines on Parade
- Approaches to Trade Promotions
- Department Store Cooperative Ads
- Trade Groups and Shows Support the Industry
Distribution and Retail
Distribution Dynamics
- Distribution Plays Key Role
- Direct Distribution
- Marketer and Retailer Distribution Centers
- Third-Party Warehouses
- Wholesalers and Sales Agents
- Mass vs. Authorized Distribution
Retail Channels
- Overview
- Four Retailer Types Vie for Market Leadership
- Discounters at the Lead
- 60% Growth Rate at Ames
- New Dynamics for Specialty Stores
- From Talbots to Torrid
- Concept Shops in National Chains and Department Stores
- Salon Z Steps In
- Mail Order Merges with Internet Shopping
- The Consolidation Factor: The Case of Charming Shoppes
Retail Dynamics
- Overview
- A Two-Way Bottleneck
- Larger Sales from Loyal Customers
- Fighting the Space Crunch
- Segregation vs. Integration
- Cato Stores Split the Difference
- Shoppers, Selection, and Accessories
- Equity in Pricing an Issue
- Friendly Help, Personal Touch Appreciated
- Defining Specific Demographics
- Targeting the Juniors Market
- The Pay Off from Promotion
- A Role for Private Label
Catalog Retailing
- Overview
- Plus-Size Market Difficult to Penetrate
- Speigel's For You Fiasco
- Other General Apparel Catalogs Getting Into Game
- Brick-and-Mortar Firms Also a Presence
- Turnstylz Turns to Teens
- Online Sales and Service Boost Catalog Companies
Internet Retailing
- Overview
- Women on the Web
- Three Main Types of E-tailer
- Internet-Only E-tailers Sprout Up
- Click-and-Mortar Merchandisers
- New Addition: Marketer Liz Claiborne
- Convenience, Selection Tops with Internet Shoppers
- E-tailers Offer Upbeat, Personal Feel
- Lane Bryant Casts Its Web with Fashion Shows
- alight.com Opens Virtual Dressing Room
Retailer Profile: Charming Shoppes, Inc.
- The Specialty Retail Leader
- The Lane Bryant Acquisition
- The alight.com Acquisition
- Fashion Bug, Fashion Bug Plus
- Catherine's Plus Sizes
- Answer and Added Dimensions
Retailer Profile: The Talbots, Inc.
- Timeless Talbots
- Midas Touch
- Service Is a Trademark
- Talbots Direct
- Talbots Woman
The Consumer
Overview of Overweight/Obesity Trends in America
- Americans Getting Larger
- CDC Findings Also Show Americans Getting Larger
- Table 6-1: Percentage of Overweight/Obese Adult Americans, 1988-1994 vs. 1999 (percent)
- Non-White Women More Prone to Being Overweight
- Six Out of Ten Women Wear Size 12 or Larger
- Figure 6-1: Share of U.S. Women by Apparel Size: Size 12 and Above vs. Below Size 12, 2000 (percent)
Plus-Size Consumer Attitudes and Trends
- Larger Women Making Themselves Heard
- Self-Esteem a Major Issue
- Two Primary Attitudes: "Transient" and "Permanent"
- The Age Factor
- Plus-Size Spending up Across All Age Groups
- Plus-Size Consumers Married, Better Off
- No Cookie-Cutter Shape for Plus-Size Women
- Discriminating Yet Daring
- Still Dissatisfied with Available Offerings
Plus-Size Consumer Product Focus: Jeans, Panties, and Hosiery
- Note on Simmons Market Research Bureau Data
- Simmons Data on Women's Plus-Size Apparel
- Plus-Size Lane Bryant Ranks 21st Among Jeans Brands
- Jeans Consumer Demographics: Overall vs. Lane Bryant
- Just My Size Is Number-Five Panties Brand
- Panty Consumer Demographics: Overall vs. Just My Size
- Just My Size Is Fourth-Ranked Hosiery Brand
- Hosiery Consumer Demographics: Overall vs. Just My Size
- Table 6-2: Consumer Draw for Selected Brands of Women's Jeans 2000 (percent and number): 28 Brands, Other
- Table 6-3: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchase of Jeans vs. Lane Bryant Plus-Size Jeans, 2000 (U.S. Adult Females)
- Table 6-4: Consumer Draw for Selected Brands of Women's Panties 2000 (percent and number): 22 Brands, Other
- Table 6-5: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchase of Panties vs. Just My Size Plus-Size Panties, 2000 (U.S. Adult Females)
- Table 6-6: Consumer Draw for Selected Brands of Women's Hosiery/Pantyhose/Stockings, 2000 (percent and number): 23 Brands, Other
- Table 6-7: Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchase of Hosiery/Pantyhose/Stockings vs. Just My Size Hosiery/Pantyhose/Stockings, 2000 (U.S. Adult Females)
Appendix I: examples of consumer and trade advertising and promotions
Appendix II: addresses of selected marketers

800.298.5294

Int'l: +1.240.747.3095

Questions?

Contact a research specialist >