Companies now catering to people who are living large and loving it
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans and people around the
world are getting bigger. Over the last 20 years, while women have become
heavier, the beauty "ideal" has become thinner. A growing number of people
are saying "no" to the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry. Instead
they are choosing to spend their money enjoying life and proving there are
profits in plus-size people - whether or not they choose to slim down.
Kelly Bliss leads an exercise class to stay healthy. She's been a large
woman most of her life. But she's not worried about it. In fact, she's
proud of it.
"I feel good about myself as a human being. I just happen to be
plus-size - it's not my identity," says Bliss.
Like Kelly, half of all American women are now a size 14 or larger. And
as larger becomes the norm for men and women, companies are beginning to
take notice. They're designing things like stools that hold up to 500
pounds, supersized bicycles and heavy-duty hangers. Even Lane Bryant is
adding outlet stores for the large and budget-minded. Consumer experts say
that big people are big business.
Sharron Lennon, PhD, a consumer sciences researcher at The Ohio State
University, says, "What retailers are realizing and manufacturers, is that
there are a lot of people out there that would be purchasing those kinds of
products if they were available for them."
And now that they are available, giving consumers what they want is the
name of the game. The publisher of Ladies Home Journal, Meredith
Corporation, is now publishing "Figure Magazine," the only magazine for
plus-size women in America.
"Most women in America are plus-size. And they want a magazine that
shows fashion that they can wear. Not on a size-two model. Not things that
they can't afford, but things that are attainable, yet beautiful," says
Figure Magazine's Amy Vogt.
Figure Magazine is even organizing a cruise for plus-size women where
the theme is celebrating your size. In fact, there are so many new services
and products for bigger people that Bliss started
http://www.PlusSizeYellowPages.com to list them all in one place - because
large-size people want the same opportunities and products as everyone
else.
For more information about plus-size products and fashions go to
http://www.figuremagazine.com.
Video: http://mediasourcetv.com/downloads/25.wmv
Contact:
Kristyn Wilson
kwilson@mediasourcetv.com
614.932.9950
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information,
visit http://www.ereleases.com.
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