Meijer Eliminates Plus Size Departments, Cuts Prices at Chicago Area-Stores

Grand Rapids, MI-based Meijer announced plans to eliminate the plus sized department at all of its 230 stores by early 2017. The retailer hopes that by combining regular sized and plus sized women’s apparel on the same racks, it will provide a more inclusive shopping experience where customers of all sizes can shop together.

Women of all clothing sizes will soon be able to shop in the same apparel department after Meijer announced plans to combine its plus sized department with regular women’s sizes at all of its 230 stores by early 2017. The Grand Rapids-based retailer also announced plans to introduce equal pricing on all women’s apparel and will no longer charge more for plus sizes.

Meijer claims to be the first retailer to eliminate its plus-size women’s department. The move is expected to create a shopping experience based on trends, not size, according to Peter Whitsett, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Meijer.
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“Over the past few years, we’ve placed an increased focus on bringing more on-trend, affordable apparel to our customers,” Whitsett said in a news release. “This fresh approach to shopping represents a continuation of that commitment, giving our customers the trends they’re looking for, regardless of what size they wear.”

The retailer also plans to roll out equal pricing for all women’s apparel items, no longer charging more for plus sizes despite higher production costs. Meijer shoppers will have access to fashion at the same price.

“Plus-size apparel is often priced higher than missy or women’s sizes,” said Annette Repasch, group vice president of softlines for Meijer. “We believe all our customers deserve to pay the same price for the same trends, regardless of size.”

Combining all sizes into one department will also enable Meijer to maximize existing retail space. The new, integrated clothing department only accounts for 80 percent of current space, which means the apparel buyers at Meijer will be able to expand the selection of clothing in the near future, the retailer said.

Meijer tested the concept in 15 Meijer stores in June 2016, who says it’s committed to offering on-trend styles for most sizes when the rollout is in all 230 stores by early 2017. Meijer has 18 stores currently operating in the Chicago region.