Some Women Furious After Target Says Plus-Size Line Will Only Be Sold Online
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A full-sized controversy has erupted at retail giant Target, with a new store policy leaving some women feeling insulted and excluded.
As CBS2's Scott Rapoport reported, the fashion controversy has seemingly put a proverbial bull's eye on Target's back.
"I think it's discrimination," said Danielle Knighten of Co-Op City, the Bronx.
The retail chain announced it is releasing a designer collection from Lilly Pulitzer – including items for plus-size women. But Target then announced via Twitter that "the plus sized collection will be available online only," and not in the stores themselves.
"Oh no, that's not fair," another woman said. "That's definitely not fair."
The decision led to a firestorm on social media.
@grownandcurvywo @AskTarget @FatGirl_fashion they're really saying we only want 40% of customers to be seen in store.
— Sarah Conley (@imsarahconley) January 7, 2015
@AskTarget @FatGirl_fashion @styleit It's like Target is dating a fat girl but won't take her out in public..that's how I feel right now
— grownandcurvywoman (@grownandcurvywo) January 7, 2015
Many agreed with the sentiment.
"It's saying, 'I want your money, but I don't necessarily want your image,'" said Debbie Dean of Co-Op City. "That's what it's saying."
"Maybe it's a price point issue. I don't know -- just to be fair," said Yolanda Williams of Throggs Neck, the Bronx.
"I think that just because I'm a plus-size woman, do I not have the same equal rights as a smaller woman?" added Knighten.
But Target is not the only store keeping plus-size items out of its brick-and-mortar facilities.
Retail experts said The Gap, J. Crew, and Saks' Salon Z have all eschewed plus-size products from the store, and market them online only.
"They're not slamming the plus-size women. They're not telling us, 'We don't want you in the store,'" said Catherine Schuller, a plus-size image consultant and retail expert.
Schuller said despite the hubbub, Target's decision is simply a business move.
"They want to make sure that the clothes are going to sell, so they use the online platform as kind of a proving ground," she added.
In a statement to CBS2 News, Target spokeswoman Jessica Carlson did not directly address the issue. She instead said, "We look forward to seeing how the assortment performs and, like any offering, will continue to evaluate our programs for the future."
And although the plus-size designer wear will be sold online, late Friday, Target said they will have sizes up to 18 available in the stores.
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