Several major UK fashion retailers, including Marks and Spencer, John Lewis, and Debenhams, have reportedly reduced the scale of their 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 the retail intelligence platform Edited examined new listings for women's dresses on retailers' websites, comparing data from July and August of the current year with the same period in 2024. The analysis found a notable decrease in the proportion of larger-sized items available.
Reductions were particularly pronounced for the largest sizes, typically those designated as 22 to 24. Krista Corrigan, senior retail analyst at Edited, stated that several UK fashion retailers are retreating from plus-size ranges, with strategies evolving in response to changing consumer needs and body compositions. Predictions suggest that by next year, as many as one in eight Britons could be undergoing some form of weight-loss treatment.
According to Edited's findings, Marks and Spencer saw the proportion of new dresses offered in sizes 18 and above fall from 34% to 27%. The very largest sizes (22-24) constituted only 0.4% of dresses this summer, a significant drop from 2.2% two years prior. At John Lewis, while the overall number of new plus-size dresses increased, the largest sizes accounted for 19.2% of the range this summer, down from 22.3% in 2024. Debenhams showed a similar trend, with plus-size dresses making up 17.4% of those on sale, compared to 23% previously.
In contrast, George at Asda maintained a steady share of new-in plus-sized clothing, hovering around 43-44% in recent years.
The rising popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) treatments, once primarily for type 2 diabetes, has made them more mainstream. A Mintel study indicated that 8% of British adults have used GLP-1 injections or other prescription weight-loss medications. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on inclusivity in high street fashion for larger individuals.
Fashion influencer Caroline Sigamoney has criticized the perceived lack of inclusive sizing at M&S, suggesting it contributes to why many plus-size women have stopped shopping on the high street. Tamara Sender Ceron, associate principal on Fashion Retail at Mintel, believes the popularity of these weight-loss drugs may negatively affect inclusivity among younger generations.
Catherine Shuttleworth, chief executive of retail consultancy Savvy Marketing, acknowledged that the increased use of GLP-1s would undoubtedly influence fashion due to changing consumer body shapes. She anticipates that retailers will be closely monitoring purchasing habits for shifts in demand.
A spokesperson for Marks and Spencer stated that the company offers an extensive range of sizes across womenswear, with sizes 8-18 available in all stores and larger sizes up to 24 available online and in selected locations. John Lewis affirmed its commitment to inclusive fashion, working with brands that specialize in plus-size offerings or extended sizing. Debenhams noted that the Edited figures reflect its expansion to include over 25,000 third-party brands, rather than a reduction in its own plus-size offer, which includes its Curve range.