Plus-size womenswear market grows 45% in 5 years

The plus-size womenswear market has grown by 45 per cent over the past five years, research by Mintel has revealed.

This implies that more women are overweight than in 2005 and suggests that they should perhaps look into investing in diet products such as slimming pills.

Mintel's report also found that almost a quarter of women in the UK are plus-size and wear clothes in size 18 or over, which is equivalent to 6.2 million people.

Tamara Sender, senior fashion analyst at Mintel, said: "Rising levels of obesity in the UK mean that plus-size consumers are increasing and these shoppers are looking for improved choice in plus-size clothing and more fashionable garments."

Over half of women who are size 18 told Mintel that they do not think enough shops offer a range of choices to cater for different sizes.

A spokesperson from Slimming World recently claimed that stylish options make overweight people feel more confident and can even motivate them to lose weight.

What is motivating you to lose weight?