why do certain shops never put out larger sizes and i mean 14 and 16s

[germyrabbit]

I have noticed that shops that go up to 16 hardly ever put those sizes out. it's really annoying as it means ordering online. why do they do that? and i do ask if they have them in that size and they generally only have a few 14s then lots of smaller sizes.

Maybe they sell out in those sizes first perhaps?

When I worked for Jigsaw in my student days, we would only ever receive 1 size 16 for each item. We would normally get a few 8s, lots of 10s and 12, 14s and 1 16. Annoying as it would sell straight away! So no I don't know why but I sympathise!

I expect they only get a couple of items in the extreme sizes (4/6 and 14/16), as most people buy the average sizes between 8 and 12. It must be pretty frustrating, though! Can you check out the products in-store, then order your size on-line?

To be fair though there are plenty of shops that don't put 6s and 8s out either. I would like to get some M&S 5 pocket jeggings but they don't carry 6s in store. My local Wallis only stocks 10s and above. Guess it depends on the target audience of the shop.

In the dim dark past when I was a designer, shops would buy in " size ratios" depending on their demographic.

The usual for young type shops ( top Shop ) etc was something like 1xsize 6, 2 xsize 8, 3x10, 3x12, 2x14, 1x16. Several hundred sets would be ordered, to go into shops. They were supposedly based on customer requirements, but I was never quite sure......

Average Uk size is 16. Not sure which stores you are talking about particularly but they stock more of the sizes that sell well for them. Not always a 16 depending on the demographic they appeal to.

Or maybe they have just sold out?

Because fat customers in store negatively impact their brand image.

so is 14/16 fat nowadays am 5.7 too

Vitaminc since when was 14/16 an extreme size?? Ffs

Not an extreme size per se, but the extreme ends of the standard product range, just like 4s and 6s at the other extremity...

A size 4 is very unusual, a size 14 is smaller than average.

"Fat" is a subjective value judgement, but most women 5'8" or under would be clinically overweight in a size 16, yes. (I'm 5'8 and currently a 12-14 with a BMI of 24, so only just inside the healthy range) [shrug]

In fact I don't think I've ever met someone who's a size 6, met hundreds of size 14s and above...

Size 4 I meant, never met anyone who's a size 4

Speaking as someone who is a size 6 (genetics, I promise, the women in our family are tiny in stature and build), I promise this is just as frustrating for me too!!

Marks is easily the worst, rarely and I do mean rarely do I ever find my size. I complained once, now just go elsewhere.

On the upside, kids clothes are cheaper!!!

Maybe in the UK, gin, but I know that here in France, I'm certainly well above average. I know lots of 6s (mainly shorter ladies) and most of my friends wear an 8-10. I'm the big, hefty one!

Cross post. I am a size 6, always for tops and most of the time for jeans, sometimes an 8. Always have been, hated it as a teen, glad of it in my forties!!

The average size of women in the UK is 14. Forty years ago it was a size 12.
Also 47% of British women are a size 16 and over. Vit C I wonder what planet you are living on if you think 14/16 is extreme sizing?

But the original poster was referring to "larger sizes", i.e. "14 and 16s" (her words) in mainstream stores, not in stores specifically catering to larger customers... And in most mainstream stores, those sizes are the extreme ends of the product range, just as 4s and 6s are at the other end!

In my local Dorothy Perkins the manager said that she only ever gets one size 8 of any item. Its very annoying but when I go to other DPs they seem to have 8's in, note sure why my local one never does. Do they profile each store on their selling statistics and only deliver what they think will be in demand and sold?

Yes panda, that is exactly what some stores do. They may get a small initial allocation then further top ups if they sell based on how quickly they sell.

I don't know any retailer that doesn't grade up in larger sizes, they don't just make things wider. They follow guidelines they set in house often fitting on a plus size dummy.

There is no conspiracy to stop fat people buying nice clothes! They cost more to make but have to be sold at the same price for fear of customers kicking off, do smaller profit margins and if overall your brand doesn't appeal so much to fat women as thin ones you are left with stock that has cost you more and hasn't sold. Not a great idea for any business

As a Size 16 person I have to say it's much better than it used to be.

Most shops now do have 10-16 in stock a lot more often than they used to. (I do notice as DD1 is a 10-12 and I'm small of boob and sometimes wear 14 tops).

There are major fails, Gap, I'm looking at you.

Why, Oh why are there no big jeans in your shops, your sizing is potty. It's very hard to order on line.