Leading plus-size retailer adds new brand to its offerings

(2010 Redcats USA, L.P. All Rights Reserved)

US plus-size retailer OneStopPlus.com announced on November 16 that it has added Torrid to its stable of contemporary fashion brands.

The e-commerce site will offer more than 1,300 styles of apparel and intimates in US sizes 12 to 28 from the trend-driven line. Accessories and shoes will also be available.

"Torrid's distinct take on catwalk to sidewalk brings OneStopPlus.com another step closer to providing all things to all plus-size woman," said Stephanie Sobel, the company's president.

OneStopPlus.com currently features some 200 American and European plus-size brands including Woman Within, Roaman's, Jessica London, AVENUE, and Ellos. A French version of the e-commerce site stocks women's clothing in French sizes 42 to 62 from local brands like La Redoute Creation and Taillissime.

The web mall for curvy women is owned by Redcats, the mail-order division of PPR that operates more than 60 e-commerce sites. Earlier this week, Redcats announced that it had acquired yet another plus-size clothing online retailer, Castaluna.com.

Other leading e-commerce sites that cater to plus-size women include ASOS Curve (US sizes 20 to 26), Evans (14 to 32) and Boutique Larrieux (12 to 24).

According to the American television network CBS, 67 percent of American women - about 75 million - wear a US size 14 (a French size 44) or larger, categorizing them as "plus-sized." Only 17 percent of women's apparel is made for them.

But now that seems to be changing. Though it's still impossible to find a Chanel tweed jacket in a size 24, several high-end designers have started offering chic plus-size lines, including Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. Oscar de la Renta even offers a plus-size intimates line these days. What's more, plus-sized clothing sales are expected to increase by more than 13 percent through 2014, making it a lucrative business.

www.onestopplus.com