75% plus size women “hate” high street shopping

// Only 1 in 10 women “enjoy” shopping in retail stores

// 75% of size 16+ women have been “driven to tears” when shopping

New research has found that 75 per cent of women “hate” shopping on the high street due to a lack of inclusiveness on body shapes and sizes.

Only one in 10 women “enjoy” shopping in retail stores and 67 per cent of women are being deterred from shopping because of the difficulties they face when searching for size 16 and above clothes, hosiery retailer Snag found.

A total of 99 per cent of women said that easily finding fashionable clothes that fit would make them “genuinely happy”, while 75 per cent admitted they have been “driven to tears” when shopping.

Meanwhile, nine in 10 women have said that online retailers offered more choice when it came down to clothing sizes, while 85 per cent of those polled said size-inclusive ranges would encourage them to buy more clothes.

The poll also asked respondents to rate UK fashion retailers on their size inclusivity, with Asos, Asda, and Sainsbury’s coming out on top.

By comparison, the Size Inclusivity Index showed high street retailers like Primark, Gap, French Connection, Topshop and Zara were the least comprehensive with their sizing.

“The results from the survey are upsetting, but unfortunately, not surprising,” Snag chief brand officer Rachel Watson said.

“It’s true that size-inclusive collections are appearing with more and more retailers, mostly online, but plus-size only brands or collections are part of the problem.

“Retailers should be expanding their collections to accommodate for sizes 16+ across the board.

“The fashion industry has a long way to go to become truly inclusive, diverse and accepting of all body shapes and sizes.”

Snag founder Brie Read said: “At Snag, we believe the time has come to throw the issue into the spotlight and question why changes aren’t being made with more urgency.”

The survey conducted by Snag polled 1150 UK women size 16+.

UK Women’s Fashion Size Inclusivity Index

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