Production of plus-size clothing is declining in the US due to Ozempic

The rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic in the US has led to a decline in the production of plus-size clothing. Retailers in the US and UK have begun to reduce and remove plus-size clothing from their shelves.

Sales of plus-size clothing are expected to fall by 7% in 2025. H&M, which had planned to expand its women's clothing range to 4XL in the US in early 2023, has scrapped the plan. A brand spokesperson said the decision was made because demand for 3XL and 4XL was low. A similar trend is being seen at Aritzia, Mango and Zara.

The companies have not publicly explained the reasons for the changes in their range, but industry experts attribute it to the popularity of weight-loss drugs. Studies show that at least one person in 21 percent of households in the United States and 9 percent in the United Kingdom uses such drugs.

At the same time, abandoning large-sized clothing can be economically beneficial for brands. Because XL clothes cost up to 60 percent more to produce than XS.

However, experts believe that the decrease in demand for large-sized clothes may be temporary. This is because people are more likely to gain weight again after stopping taking the drugs.