Popular plus-size chain to close 180 stores—Here’s how shoppers are reacting
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If you’ve ever found yourself wandering the mall, searching for a store that actually carries your size—and not just a single rack in the back—you know how precious a brick-and-mortar plus-size clothing store can be.
That’s why the recent announcement from Torrid, one of the nation’s largest plus-size retailers, has sent shockwaves through the community: Torrid plans to close up to 180 of its stores this year, nearly 30% of its physical locations.
For many, this isn’t just another retail shakeup. It’s a seismic shift in how—and where—plus-size Americans can shop for clothes that fit, flatter, and feel good.
Why Is Torrid Closing So Many Stores?
The answer, in part, is the same story we’ve heard across the retail landscape: the rise of online shopping.
According to Torrid’s CEO Lisa Harper, a whopping 70% of Torrid’s customers already shop online.
The company’s first quarter earnings report revealed a nearly 5% dip in sales compared to last year, prompting a move to a “digital-forward” approach.
But while the convenience of online shopping is undeniable, it doesn’t replace the experience of trying on clothes in person—especially for those who know that “plus-size” can mean a hundred different things depending on the brand, the cut, or even the day.
Which Stores Are Closing?
As of now, Torrid hasn’t released a list of which locations will be shuttered.
With 632 stores currently open, the closures will be significant, but the company is keeping details under wraps. If you want to check the status of your local store, your best bet is to visit the Torrid website at torrid.com/stores/ for updates.
A Troubling Trend for Plus-Size Retail
Torrid’s move isn’t happening in a vacuum. In recent years, other plus-size retailers have faced similar fates.
Lane Bryant closed 157 stores in 2020, and Avenue shuttered all its physical locations in 2019—both casualties of bankruptcy proceedings.
While both brands continue to operate online, the loss of physical stores has left many shoppers feeling stranded.
In earlier news: Is your local Walgreens closing? Find out which stores are shutting down and why over 1,000 locations are vanishing!
For those who wear straight sizes, the mall is a playground of options. For plus-size shoppers, it’s often a desert.
The Community Reacts: “We Can’t Run Out and Grab a Last-Minute Outfit”
The response from the plus-size community has been swift and emotional.
Christine Murphy, a longtime advocate for size inclusivity, summed up the frustration in an interview with USA TODAY. She also said that a “good chunk” of her closet is from Torrid, not by choice, but because it’s one of the few brick-and-mortar stores that offers her size.
“Removing brick and mortar options from plus-size folks, especially those of us at the larger end of the fatness spectrum, means that we have to pre-plan our lives due to being relegated to online-only options. We can’t run out and grab a last-minute outfit for a party or interview or even a funeral. If our luggage gets lost when we travel, we are out of luck.”
Why Do Plus-Size Retailers Struggle?
It’s a question that’s been asked for years: why do so many brands struggle to serve the plus-size market, even though plus-size women make up the majority of American women?
Related story: Last chance to shop: All stores of this major brand shutting down by May 1–Find out why!
Murphy points to a lack of understanding and investment. She cites Old Navy’s 2021 BodEquality campaign, which launched with much fanfare but was scaled back a year later after disappointing sales.
“The clothes aren’t trendy, they don’t use real plus-size bodies in their campaigns to show us how the pieces would look on us, and then when the items don’t sell because it wasn’t done well, the plus-size community gets blamed for not buying it,” she says.
Content creator Nikki Apostolou, whose video on social media regarding the closures has racked up over 100,000 views, isn’t surprised by Torrid’s decision.
She notes that many customers have voiced concerns about the brand’s styles and quality in recent years. But she also highlights the importance of having a physical space to shop.
Source: @fabulouslystardust / Tiktok.
“I remember being younger and going to the mall and not having a single store that I could shop at while my friends would leave with bags and bags. So it is important to have a brick-and-mortar, especially when plus-size women make up the majority of the market.”
The Bigger Picture: Retail’s Changing Landscape
Torrid’s closures are part of a broader trend. Department stores like JCPenney and Macy’s are also closing locations in 2025, further shrinking the number of places where plus-size shoppers can find clothes in person.
While online shopping offers convenience and variety, it can’t replace the confidence that comes from trying on a garment and knowing it fits before you buy.
For older Americans, especially, the loss of in-person shopping can be particularly challenging. Not everyone is comfortable navigating online returns, deciphering size charts, or waiting days for a package that may or may not work out.
If you’re a Torrid shopper, now’s the time to check in with your local store and see if it’s on the chopping block. If you rely on in-person shopping, consider reaching out to Torrid’s customer service to voice your concerns.
Related story: Last chance to shop: All stores of this major brand shutting down by May 1–Find out why!
Have you been affected by the closure of a favorite store? Do you have tips for finding plus-size fashion that actually fits and flatters? Are you a fan of online shopping, or do you miss the days of browsing the racks in person? Share your thoughts, stories, and shopping hacks in the comments below!
That’s why the recent announcement from Torrid, one of the nation’s largest plus-size retailers, has sent shockwaves through the community: Torrid plans to close up to 180 of its stores this year, nearly 30% of its physical locations.
For many, this isn’t just another retail shakeup. It’s a seismic shift in how—and where—plus-size Americans can shop for clothes that fit, flatter, and feel good.
Why Is Torrid Closing So Many Stores?
The answer, in part, is the same story we’ve heard across the retail landscape: the rise of online shopping.
According to Torrid’s CEO Lisa Harper, a whopping 70% of Torrid’s customers already shop online.
The company’s first quarter earnings report revealed a nearly 5% dip in sales compared to last year, prompting a move to a “digital-forward” approach.
But while the convenience of online shopping is undeniable, it doesn’t replace the experience of trying on clothes in person—especially for those who know that “plus-size” can mean a hundred different things depending on the brand, the cut, or even the day.
Torrid, a popular plus-size clothing chain, is set to close up to 180 underperforming stores this year, representing nearly 30% of its physical locations. Image source: Torrid Fashion / Youtube.
Which Stores Are Closing?
As of now, Torrid hasn’t released a list of which locations will be shuttered.
With 632 stores currently open, the closures will be significant, but the company is keeping details under wraps. If you want to check the status of your local store, your best bet is to visit the Torrid website at torrid.com/stores/ for updates.
A Troubling Trend for Plus-Size Retail
Torrid’s move isn’t happening in a vacuum. In recent years, other plus-size retailers have faced similar fates.
Lane Bryant closed 157 stores in 2020, and Avenue shuttered all its physical locations in 2019—both casualties of bankruptcy proceedings.
While both brands continue to operate online, the loss of physical stores has left many shoppers feeling stranded.
In earlier news: Is your local Walgreens closing? Find out which stores are shutting down and why over 1,000 locations are vanishing!
For those who wear straight sizes, the mall is a playground of options. For plus-size shoppers, it’s often a desert.
The Community Reacts: “We Can’t Run Out and Grab a Last-Minute Outfit”
The response from the plus-size community has been swift and emotional.
Christine Murphy, a longtime advocate for size inclusivity, summed up the frustration in an interview with USA TODAY. She also said that a “good chunk” of her closet is from Torrid, not by choice, but because it’s one of the few brick-and-mortar stores that offers her size.
“Removing brick and mortar options from plus-size folks, especially those of us at the larger end of the fatness spectrum, means that we have to pre-plan our lives due to being relegated to online-only options. We can’t run out and grab a last-minute outfit for a party or interview or even a funeral. If our luggage gets lost when we travel, we are out of luck.”
Why Do Plus-Size Retailers Struggle?
It’s a question that’s been asked for years: why do so many brands struggle to serve the plus-size market, even though plus-size women make up the majority of American women?
Related story: Last chance to shop: All stores of this major brand shutting down by May 1–Find out why!
Murphy points to a lack of understanding and investment. She cites Old Navy’s 2021 BodEquality campaign, which launched with much fanfare but was scaled back a year later after disappointing sales.
“The clothes aren’t trendy, they don’t use real plus-size bodies in their campaigns to show us how the pieces would look on us, and then when the items don’t sell because it wasn’t done well, the plus-size community gets blamed for not buying it,” she says.
Content creator Nikki Apostolou, whose video on social media regarding the closures has racked up over 100,000 views, isn’t surprised by Torrid’s decision.
She notes that many customers have voiced concerns about the brand’s styles and quality in recent years. But she also highlights the importance of having a physical space to shop.
Source: @fabulouslystardust / Tiktok.
“I remember being younger and going to the mall and not having a single store that I could shop at while my friends would leave with bags and bags. So it is important to have a brick-and-mortar, especially when plus-size women make up the majority of the market.”
The Bigger Picture: Retail’s Changing Landscape
Torrid’s closures are part of a broader trend. Department stores like JCPenney and Macy’s are also closing locations in 2025, further shrinking the number of places where plus-size shoppers can find clothes in person.
While online shopping offers convenience and variety, it can’t replace the confidence that comes from trying on a garment and knowing it fits before you buy.
For older Americans, especially, the loss of in-person shopping can be particularly challenging. Not everyone is comfortable navigating online returns, deciphering size charts, or waiting days for a package that may or may not work out.
If you’re a Torrid shopper, now’s the time to check in with your local store and see if it’s on the chopping block. If you rely on in-person shopping, consider reaching out to Torrid’s customer service to voice your concerns.
Related story: Last chance to shop: All stores of this major brand shutting down by May 1–Find out why!
Have you been affected by the closure of a favorite store? Do you have tips for finding plus-size fashion that actually fits and flatters? Are you a fan of online shopping, or do you miss the days of browsing the racks in person? Share your thoughts, stories, and shopping hacks in the comments below!
