Several prominent UK fashion retailers, including Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, and Debenhams, have decreased the availability of plus-size clothing ranges. This shift coincides with a significant increase in the use of weight-loss injections, such as Mounjaro, by millions of consumers.
A study conducted by retail intelligence platform Edited examined new listings for women's dresses on retailer websites, comparing the periods of July-August 2026 with the same months in 2024. The analysis found a reduction in the proportion of larger-sized items, with particularly pronounced decreases in sizes 22 to 24.
Krista Corrigan, senior retail analyst at Edited, noted that "Several fashion retailers in the UK are retreating from plus-size ranges. Strategies are shifting in response to consumers’ needs and changing body compositions." Predictions suggest that by next year, as many as one in eight Britons could be undergoing some form of weight-loss treatment. A recent Mintel study indicated that eight percent of British adults have already used glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) injections or other prescription weight-loss medications.
At Marks and Spencer, the proportion of new dresses offered in sizes 18 and above fell from 34 percent to 27 percent. For the largest sizes, 22 to 24, the share dropped from 2.2 percent in 2024 to 0.4 percent this summer.
John Lewis saw its largest sizes account for 19.2 percent of its range this summer, down from 22.3 percent in 2024. Debenhams experienced a decrease in plus-size dresses, which constituted 17.4 percent of those on sale, compared to 23 percent previously. In contrast, George at Asda maintained a steady share of new-in plus-sized clothing at approximately 43-44 percent over the last few years.
GLP-1 treatments, initially developed for type 2 diabetes, have become more widely adopted for weight management. Concerns have been raised about the potential for larger individuals to be excluded from High Street fashion options. Tamara Sender Ceron, associate principal on Fashion Retail at Mintel, suggested that the popularity of these injections may negatively impact inclusivity for younger demographics.
Fashion influencer Caroline Sigamoney criticized the perceived lack of inclusive sizing at M&S, stating, "This is exactly why so many plus-size women have given up shopping on the high street." Catherine Shuttleworth, chief executive of retail consultancy Savvy Marketing, believes that the increased use of GLP-1s will impact fashion due to changing consumer body shapes, and that retailers are monitoring purchasing habits for shifts in demand.
A spokesperson for M&S stated that the company offers sizes 8-18 across all stores, with larger sizes up to 24 available online and in selected locations. John Lewis affirmed its commitment to inclusive fashion, working with brands specializing in plus-size or extended sizing. Debenhams explained that the Edited figures reflect its expansion to include third-party brands, rather than a reduction in its own plus-size offerings, which include its Curve range.