Old Navy (Gap Inc) announced via their website on 5/26 that they will remove their extended sizes from 75 US stores and 15 in Canada. The reason given was the lack of inventory for straight sizes.
BodEquality, which launched in August of 2021, was the first nationwide campaign to integrate plus and straight sizes into one section while offering the same styles at the same price. This made an impact on many plus-size people who had never had that experience before.
Our fear is that starting a rollback of the size expansion in some stores is just a sign of things to come. A company as large as Old Navy, is setting the tone for other retailers. If BodEquality starts to scale back, other brands will use it as evidence that plus sizes should not be offered at all.
It is also noted that there have been many people scrutinizing the claim Old Navy has made that "over 90% of stores will still carry extended sizes." In utilizing the search tool available, many people have no stores within a reasonable distance to them carrying plus sizes. We've also learned that at some stores, Old Navy employees have been told to not put plus sizes out on the floor but keep them in the back. How does anyone know they're available if they cannot see them?
We, as plus-size people, have so few options already. The options we do have are almost always offered online alone. Having options online is great, but only offering online options creates barriers for many customers who live in larger bodies. Any clothing needed within a few days' notice is no longer an option. We are not given the ability to see how the item fits before purchase, while the cost of shipping increases.
We do not want BodEquality to fail. We want this launch to be given more time to get a loyal plus-size customer base, instead of becoming the scapegoat for other brands to not try launching plus sizes. Please sign the petition and let Old Navy know you want plus sizes BACK ON THE RACK!!!
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