According to Meg Hargreaves, VP of Research Publishing for MarketResearch.com, the plus-size clothing industry is experiencing a long overdue period of extraordinary growth.

"The women's plus-size apparel market comprises a considerable share of the overall U.S. women's apparel market," Ms. Hargreaves stated. "Nearly 30% of all women's apparel sales in 2000 were of plus-size items, and supply is still not on track to keep up with demand in coming years."

Great news for Tommy Hilfiger and Elisabeth by Liz Claiborne! But not so great for clothing manufacturers who continue to ignore the lucrative plus-size market.

Total retail sales for plus-size items in the year 2000 reached almost $32 billion, or 30% of the women's clothing market, and major fashion houses have jumped to find attractive, fashion conscious options for the larger woman.

The industry has a financially secure audience that has proven to be very brand loyal, as well as sales records that soar compared to other market segments. Exemplifying the current extraordinary market conditions for large-size clothing is the recent purchase by Charming Shoppes Inc. of plus-size powerhouse Lane Bryant from Limited Inc. last month for $335 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The report from Package Facts entitled "The U.S. Market for Plus Size Apparel" provides detail information about consumer demographics, as well as distribution and marketing trends about development, and emerging retail campaigns. The report also includes historical sales data, as well as market projections through the year 2005. The report is available through Marketresearch.com