Demand For Plus-size Clothing Has Fallen In The U.S. Due To Ozempic

A weight-loss supplement is gaining popularity in the country.

Retailers in the U.S. and Europe are reducing their selection of plus-size clothing amid the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, according to Bloomberg. These drugs work by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which suppresses appetite.

According to the agency, H&M, Aritzia, Mango, and Zara have reduced the number of items in their plus-size ranges.

In early 2023, H&M announced it would expand its women’s clothing sizes up to 4XL in the U.S., but later abandoned that plan. “We decided to remove sizes 3XL and 4XL because demand for them turned out to be not that high,” a spokesperson for the chain said, declining to comment on the reasons.

Analysts note that it is not in retailers’ best interest to publicly acknowledge a link to GLP-1, as this could be perceived as a departure from principles of inclusivity.

According to consulting firm PwC, approximately 21% of U.S. households include at least one user of GLP-1 medications. In the U.K., this figure stands at about 9% and continues to rise. GlobalData analyst Elliot Rikerby noted that retailers are calling the changes “business optimization” to avoid a negative reaction.

Specialty plus-size retailers have also faced declining sales. Torrid Holdings, which focuses on sizes 10–30, announced the closure of more than 170 stores last year, with comparable sales falling by 7%. Destination XL Group reported an 8% decline in sales, and its CEO estimated that about a quarter of its customers use weight-loss drugs.

Some experts surveyed by the agency believe that reducing the plus-size product range may be short-sighted. Influencer Katie Sturino, who has taken GLP-1, noted that many people will eventually stop taking the medications or their weight will fluctuate, so demand for plus sizes may return. “The biggest mistake retailers make is listening to those who say that GLP-1 is a reason to cut back on plus-size offerings,” she said.

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