Meijer Plans to Move Plus-Size Clothes to Misses and Women's Department

Changes are coming to the clothing section at Meijer, the company announced Tuesday (Nov. 2).

The plus-size departments in each of Meijer's 230 stores, across the Midwest, will be integrated into misses and women’s departments. The Michigan-based retailer will place straight and extended sizes on one rack. Customers also won't have to pay more for a bigger size.

 “If they are shopping with their moms or their friends, they have to go to a different area,” said Michelle Krick, women’s division merchandise manager. “Now they get to shop together and it’s all the same styles.”

While the change hasn't been implemented in Wisconsin stores, Meijer is already combining departments in 15 other locations. 

People in the fashion industry are calling the move, "progressive," including one Milwaukee professor.

"Why segregate the sizes? Let them all shop together,” said Trish Kuehnl, Assistant Professor and Co-Chair at the Fashion Department at Mt. Mary University.

Kuehnl said Meijer's decision is a trend that comes up in her visual presentation class.

"Men's clothing isn't segregated like that. Yes, in the men's department they'll have the big and tall suits, but they are all in the men's suit department,” Kuehnl said. “I feel like it's a great move. I hope this is something that other retailers will follow.” 

The change in merchandising means all sizes from small to 3X will be on the same rack.