Despite increasing awareness of the plus size fashion demand here in the UK, it seems that high street retailers are failing to capitalise on this demand, according to research. That said, there are some fashion retailers that are coming to the rescue of plus size women – such as Bon Marche  – and offer a wide range of affordable and flattering womenswear.

In a report by just-style (August 24th), recent findings from Mintel are explored. According to Mintel’s figures, less than a third of women find it easy to buy clothes that fit properly and enhance their figure. Furthermore, around 80 per cent of plus size women feel that there aren’t enough high street stores which cater to them.

In addition, the figures also reveal that one in five Brits (20 per cent of men and 17 per cent of women) wear plus size clothing; however, almost half of plus size men (46 per cent) join their female counterparts and feel that there are insufficient high street fashion retailers which offer non-mainstream sizes.

Speaking to the website, Michelle Strutton, senior FMCG analyst at Mintel, said: “The commercial viability of grabbing a share of the evolving plus size clothing market is being recognized by some retailers, hence the fashion catering to larger sizes has expanded over the last couple of years.”