Posted on May 06, 2007 by Glen Johnson

Hundreds of plus-size fashion stores and more Ultimate Plus-Size Shopping List!

There has been a general buzz about Old Navy and the discontinuation of plus size clothing in their stores. I remember back almost three years ago when I blogged about it I thought that it was going to be a banner day for plus size clothing making it to the mainstream.

Looks like I was wrong. Some of the reasons that I think they got cold feet and have decided to pull out of carrying plus sizes are pretty obvious.

1. Lack of promotion – To this day there where many men and women that had no clue that Old Navy ever carried larger sizes at all. How can folks buy if they don’t know?
2. Lack of vision – The buyers for Old Navy missed the reports about the $22 billion spent on plus size clothing.  In addition didn’t pay much attention to the predictions of a 15% growth expectation in spending.
3. Lack of heart – When they made the announcement in 2004 Old Navy and Wal-Mart were the only major non-specialty stores to carry plus size clothing. With Old Navy getting cold feet only Wal-Mart remains. Wally world gets two thumbs up from this blogger.
4. Fear of association – My gut tells me that Old Navy like many other merchants out there just don’t want to be associated with the fat folks. That’s ok Old Navy if you don’t want fat folk we will just go to places like IGIGI and Curvation and other independent plus size fashion websites to shop.

Bottomline Old Navy it was a bad move on your part to end your association with plus sizes in your stores. One thing that I always say is that, “I shouldn’t have to beg you to spend my money.” There will be lots of plus size women and men across that country that will simply stop going into your stores because you have decided to say fat people don’t matter in your corporate eyes.

Update – Plus sizes available exclusively online