The finding: Apparel companies that don’t adjust their merchandising strategies in response to rising GLP-1 usage could be stuck with up to $5 billion in excess inventory and costs, according to a report by Impact Analytics.

Demand for larger sizes has fallen over the past two years, retail data analyzed by Impact Analytics shows.

• Sales of women’s bottoms below size 26 rose 3 percentage points between 2022 and 2024, while sizes 27 to 30 fell by 2.6 percentage points.
• A similar trend is visible in women’s tops and shapewear, as well as men’s apparel.

The counterpoint: Apparel retailers have said little about how GLP-1 usage may be affecting sales, although anecdotal evidence from secondhand shops appears to support Impact Analytics’ findings.

However, according to Avneet Singh, founder of big and tall men’s line Regent Row, the shift isn’t yet affecting overall demand for extended sizing.

• “With GLP-1s, we’re seeing the size curve move left—guys who were 5–6XL shifting into 3–4XL,” Singh told CNBC.
• He also pointed out that while GLP-1s can drastically reduce weight, they don’t affect height, making inclusive sizing a continued necessity for apparel companies.

Implications for brands: While there are indications that rising GLP-1 adoption is increasing demand for smaller sizes, that shouldn’t be an excuse for brands to reduce plus-size production or jettison inclusive sizing.

• The majority of women wear size 14 or above, according to Mys Tyler’s 2024 Insights report.
• Companies that move too aggressively to reduce plus-size assortments could alienate customers and lose sales.

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