The following research report contains market research, analysis, statistics and business intelligence relating to research on Women's Large Size Clothing Iin The United Kingdom.

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ABSTRACT
This Industry Sector Analysis (ISA) covers the plus-size fashion sector of the UK women's fashion market. A number of factors have combined to create interest in the market for plus-size fashions. The issue of weight has become a cause for concern in the UK, with rising levels of obesity and eating disorders throughout the country. The shape of the average consumer has also changed. Women are generally becoming larger and heavier than they were 20 years ago. Population trends also favor the rise of the plus-size market. The "Baby Boom" generation is reaching their 40s and 50s, with over 60% of them considered overweight or obese.

Until recently, the plus-size market was considered an "afterthought" by much of the fashion industry. There was a limited range of available styles, and little to no trendy clothes. However, with the concerns over weight issues, population trends, and an increase in demand, retailers are beginning to take notice, and have entered the plus-size market. Plus-size clothing is now available through all major retailing categories, including extensions of size ranges to include larger sizes and clothing lines specifically dedicated to larger women.

Plus-size fashion may be presented in various ways including:

á Extensions of Size Ranges- standard size ranges have been extended in many stores to include plus-sizes.
á Dedicated Ranges- these ranges cater specifically to larger women.
á Brand or Designer Ranges- available through department stores, boutiques, or other fashion chains

The most recent consumer research points out that women in the UK would like to see an industry standardization of clothing sizes. Currently, for example, a given size can vary in its dimensions and measurements from company to company. Industry standardization of clothing size would eliminate this concern. The research also suggested that the industry has a way to go in producing more attractive clothing for larger women. Important age groups to watch include the younger 15 to 24 year old bracket, and the "Baby Boom" generation of women.
A. MARKET HIGHLIGHTS AND BEST PROSPECTS

Population Trend Factors
The UK population has been aging steadily over the last few years. Since people generally gain weight with age, this naturally prompts growth in the plus-size market. Between 1998 and 2001, there was a 6% increase in the number of women aged 55-64 years old. Nearly 7 out of 10 of these women were overweight. There was a recorded 7.4% increase in the number of women aged 35 to 44 years old. Nearly half of these women were considered overweight.

The Female Population in the UK by Age Group (000), 1998-2001
1998 1999 2000 2001 % Change
Under 15 5,545 5,542 5,525 5,504 -0.7 15-24 3, 503 3,527 3,569 3,618 3.3
25-34 4,511 4,418 4,310 4,193 -7.0 35-44 4,211 4,318 4,431 4,522 7.4
45-54 3,886 3,903 3,917 3,939 1.4
55-64 2,985 3,052 3,109 3,165 6.0
65-74 2,674 2,643 2,625 2,613 -2.3
75+ 2,793 2,803 2,811 2,818 0.9
All Ages 30,108 30,207 30,298 30,372 0.9

Source: Keynote

Size and the Fashion Industry
Marks and Spencer, one of the UK's leading clothing retailers, conducted a recent survey, that generated a lot of publicity, that found that British women are in fact getting bigger. The survey involved taking three-dimensional (3D) images of 2,500 volunteers across the UK. The results showed that the average female measurements in the UK are now: 36C bust, 28-inch waist, and 38-inch hips. This is a significant increase compared to 1960s statistics, when measurements were 34B bust, 24-inch waist, and 33-inch hips. The new average measurements reflect a clothing size 14 (U.S. 10), rather than 12 (U.S. 8), which was the norm forty years ago. From the results of this survey, Marks and Spencer announced it would assume 14 as its "base size", and altered the company's whole production process to account for the new size. Many other UK retailers have since followed suit and changed their sizes as well.

Market Size
The total market for plus-size clothing is estimated to be worth over $5 billion. This represents nearly 30% of the total women's clothing market, compared with only 25% in 1997.
This increased proportion of the total market, highlights the fact that more women in the UK are purchasing plus-size clothing, as well as the fact that more plus-size styles are now available. However, research shows that larger women are still not spending a lot of money on plus-size clothing. There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that the middle-aged bracket in general spends less money on clothes than the younger age bracket, and that the middle-age bracket is less influenced by seasonal trends than the younger bracket. In addition, larger women are also less likely to make impulse purchases.

Attitudes to Women's Clothes Sizing and Plus-Size Fashion (% of female respondents who agree), 2001
%
I find I need to buy clothing for myself in different sizes depending on
which shop or clothing company I am buying from. 60

Clothes sizes should be standardized across all companies. 51

Size labels on clothes should show actual measurements, for example, waist size, length, etc. 42

It is better to buy large size clothing from shops which specialize in large-size ranges. 14

It is better to buy larger size versions of clothes from standard ranges - that is, clothes which are also available in smaller sizes. 12

I think women today are generally larger than women were 30 years ago. 48

Advertisements and catalogues for larger size clothing ranges should show the clothes on women who take those sizes in clothes themselves. 43

There should be more choice in larger size clothes made available for younger women. 39

It is quite difficult to find attractive clothing in larger sizes. 25
Source: Keynote

Based on the information in the preceding table, there are clearly issues that the industry has to address regarding the availability of plus-size clothing. Nearly four out of ten women think that younger women need more of a choice in terms of attractive clothing. One in four women find it difficult to find attractive clothing in plus sizes.
According to the research, women are evenly divided when it comes to the question on whether it is better to buy plus-size clothing from specialty shops or from standard ranges. There is, however, a stronger preference among those women under 25 years old for purchasing plus-size clothes from specialty shops. This is also true among over 55 year olds.
Best Prospects

The number of middle-aged women is set to increase over the next 4 years. By 2006, there will be 7.7 million women aged 45-64 years old, compared with 7.2 million in 2002. This is the time of life when women tend to put on weight and some of these women will be purchasing plus-size clothing for the first time.
This "Baby Boom" generation is characterized by a degree of rebelliousness and nonconformity. This means that the demand for plus-size fashions will not only be strong, but also for Ôyounger" styles. Consumers will be looking for casual wear, smart clothes for working women, and stylish eveningwear.
Other groups that will grow in the next four years include the 18-24 year old age bracket; in 2002, there were 3.7 million women and in 2006 there will be 3.9 million. Retailer sizing surveys found these women becoming taller and heavier than in years past. This might increase demand for plus-size clothing in this age bracket. There have also been reports on the growing number of obese children in the UK. Those in this age group might be looking for plus-size fashions in the future. B. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Major Players in the UK Market
Several leading companies in the UK stock clothing in plus-sizes. The country's leading specialist chain is Evans.

á Evans - Evans is a specialist chain with nearly 400 stores in the UK. The store also sells clothes through its web site. Evans carries such ranges as Seven, for younger women, Active VIII, which is a sports range, and Sixteen 47, which is a designer range. Evans focuses its strategy on the fashion element of its clothing ranges.

á Marks and Spencer - Marks and Spencer is the UK's largest clothing retailer. The stores stock some styles in plus-sizes. Their Plus Range category was introduced in 2000. The retailer launched an advertisement campaign in 2000 that featured a plus-size model.

á New Look - New Look's range of plus-size clothing, Inspire, was launched in the spring of 2000. They claim their typical customers are women who had previously shopped at New Look, but could not find her size in stock and who have now returned, and customers who now need larger clothing and want to remain fashionable.

á H&M Hennes - H&M's BiB (Big is Beautiful) range is dedicated to "the fashion-conscious woman with the fuller figure." It includes a lingerie range.
á Debenhams - Debenham's is the UK's leading clothing department store. Many of Debenham's own fashion ranges include plus-sizes.
á French and Teague - The Sixteen 47 range from French and Teague was named after the statistic that 47% of the British female population are at least a size 16 (U.S. 12). French and Teague has now become a designer label and is also available in department stores.

á Anna Scholz - Scholz is the only UK designer with a collection that spans the full size spectrum. Her designs are available throughout the UK and the U.S.

Market Future
Several issues will affect where the UK market for plus-size clothing will go in the future. These issues include, but are not limited to, economic trends, population trends, standards within the fashion industry, and changes in technology.

Economic trends suggest that, despite a predicted economic slowdown, the plus-size market seems to be more resilient than the general fashion market. This idea is based on trends noted in the U.S. fashion market where plus-size clothing was not harshly affected by a down-turned economy.

The changing shape of the average UK women will also affect where the market is heading. Many retailers in the industry have begun to take account of the larger woman by launching advertisement campaigns featuring plus-size models. These campaigns are expected to draw plus-size women to stores.

Another issue that will affect the market is the push for a standardization of clothing sizes. Six out of ten women want sizes to be standardized throughout the industry. New insights may be provided as the National Sizing Survey continues this year. This project was sponsored by segments of government, industry, and academia in the United Kingdom. The data analysis portion of the project is now underway and the participating UK apparel retailers will soon enjoy new sizing and size distribution information as well, as recommended size tables.
Changes to size standards might, however, affect the value plus-size market, as some sizes once found in the plus-size market shift down into the general market.
Finally, advances in technology will provide a boost to the plus-size market. 3D Body-scanning will provide women with more accurate sizing. Surveys in this area have noted that women are finding themselves to be in the plus-size category, when they previously thought otherwise. Experts also believe that in the future, this new technology will allow women to shop online using their own 3D images to try on clothing.
Fashion retailers in the UK have approached the women's plus size market in various ways. Some have extended size ranges on normal collections and others have created special collections specifically catered towards plus-size women. Research has suggested that younger women prefer specialty shops. Researchers have suggested that women in the 45-54 year old "Baby Boom" category are more likely to buy clothes from extended size ranges, and not from specialty shops.
Forecasts predict that the plus-size market will be worth over $6.5 billion by2007, representing almost 30% of the total women's fashion market

Forecast Market for Total Women's Clothing
and Plus-Size Women's Clothing by Value ($m and %), 2002-2005
2002 2003 20042007

Total women's clothing 20,250 21,300 22,350 23,250

Plus-size women's clothing 5,589 6,006 6,392 6,743

Plus-size women's clothing as a % of the total market 27.6 28.2 28.6 29.0
Source: KeyNote

There are numerous opportunities for U.S. manufacturers in this market. The U.S. industry has catered to this particular market for many years, starting in the mid-seventies with stores like The Forgotten Woman.

Given the cultural and regulatory differences between the U.S. and the UK clothing markets, U.S. companies looking to sell their products in the United Kingdom are advised to work with an established local distributor, manufacturer or wholesaler. The U.S. Commercial Service in London's matchmaking services -- the Gold Key Service and the International Partner Search - are proven, cost-effective programs that link U.S. companies to potential UK partners. For more information on these services, contact the U.S. Commercial Service in London at the address listed at the end of this report.
C. MARKET ACCESS

The United Kingdom has an open and transparent economy. U.S. companies should not therefore encounter any particular barriers to market entry. Listed below are customs tariffs, the duties, charged on goods at the time of importation into the United Kingdom:

Customs Tariffs
The European Community Common Customs Tariff (CCT): The EU is a customs union. Member States charge a common tariff on goods from outside the EU. Thereafter, those goods can circulate within the rest of the EU without any liability to pay further customs duties when they move from one Member State to another. Similarly, goods that originate in the EU circulate between Member States duty-free. However, the goods might be subject to other charges such as VAT. The CCT is published annually in the Official Journal of the European Communities, L Series.
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS): It is the legal responsibility of the importer or exporter to classify goods in accordance with the HS Code. The CCT is based on this internationally agreed system of classification. Any enquiry about tariffs will be facilitated if the inquirer knows the commodity code for the goods in question, preferably at eight-digit level. To obtain advice on classification please contact Her Majesty's Customs & Excise Tariff Classification Enquiry Helpline on (44) 1702 36 6077 or look on www.hmce.gov.uk.

Her Majesty's Customs & Excise Integrated Tariff of the United Kingdom: This Tariff, published as three volumes, is based on the CCT. It also sets out general information on tariffs, both full and preferential (see below), and similar measures affecting the import, export and transit of goods; the valuation of goods for import duty purposes; VAT and excise duties. The UK version of the CCT has legal force only where national requirements are concerned. Where the two texts vary the CCT represents the legal position.

DISCLAIMER
Information in this report relies on sources including Government Publications, Opinions of industry experts and other public sources. Infomat can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof. All prices subject to change without notice.

$3500 USD
For the 2008 Edition

Published: 2006 August
Market: Womens
Region: England
Industry: Apparel
Pages: 45
Delivery: 7-12 Business Days
SKU: infre0000273