Suck It, Old Navy
From Kaylin in the comments:
I had a conversation with one of my casual carpoolers this morning, and she works in the design department of Old Navy that does plus sizes and maternity. I asked her if it is true that they are pulling the plus sizes from stores, and she confirmed it, saying that she thought it was becasue the line had never been properly marketed. Never marketed AT ALL, in fact.
I mentioned women’s comments that I had read here about the fit being odd in many of the plus size garments, and asked how many fit models they utilized. She said ONE. Ohmigod, no wonder they don’t fit most of us properly. Little, local Igigi uses all sorts of different fit models, recruiting people for new lines.
Today at the store on 18th street and 6th ave in NYC I was made aware of the plan and asked to speak with a manager. When I asked him why they were kicking us out of their stores the reason he gave was that corporate felt it was a poor business decision to incorporate plus sizes into their stores. I questioned how catering to the majority of the United States population was a poor business decision and he told me that I was not the first to ask.
He said the business wasn’t going well in the plus sector and I gave him a list of possible reasons why including their fit and lack of plus marketing. I offered that they should make an effort to fix the problem and find out why they weren’t doing well instead of banishing us to the internet. Turns out that the person I spoke with is also a Customer Service Rep and he’s in charge of feedback to the corporate offices. He encouraged me to get as many women as possible on board to overload Old Navy’s website and telephone lines with complaints about this move in an effort to halt it. Please, even if you don’t wear clothes from Old Navy take a minute to take a stand for all of us.
So there you have it. Take a few minutes now to send a note to Old Navy. Perhaps use more diplomatic words than “suck it.” Feel free to post the text of your e-mail in the comments for those of us who are lazy and want to take the words right out of your mouth.
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Celebrities, Fashion, Mia Tyler, Old Navy
Here’s mine…and I posted it on my blog just to give this issue a little more air time.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a large woman. I have shopped at your store for gifts for friends or family or the odd top for myself (which runs an XL for me). But, often do not think to shop in your store on a regular basis because your pants, skirts and dresses often don’t fit.
So I was pleased a year or so ago to learn that Old Navy would begin offering a plus-size line of clothing. I heard this word of mouth and not through any advertising campaign. I went to a local store and found that there really aren’t plus sizes there, but that your regular line, at the time, went up to my size. Or so I thought. The clothing was not well
fitting, even a size larger than I am used to wearing did not fit for me.
So while I did not continue shopping there for
bottoms, I told other friends who were plus-size because sometimes different sizing works for different people.
Now I learn that Old Navy is pulling their plus-size line from whatever stores that they had been in and will only be offering them to customers on-line. While some may find it more convenient to shop on line, when they have the choice, to not have the choice and be required to pay for shipping for something without the benefit of trying it on first is
something I find horribly inconvenient.
I have heard, again via word-of-mouth, that the company has made this decision because the plus-size line in store did not seem to be doing well. I have seen many Old Navy ommercials. Sometimes they seem unavoidable. I’m wondering why it is that the
plus-size line was not better advertised. Is it that the company is afraid that fat people will effect the carefully crafted young, cheerful, campy image that you are cultivating with your current ad campaigns?
I have also been told that many people have had a similar experience of fit that I have had. This is discouraging and I wonder if perhaps someone in your design department needs to take a look at your size models for larger sized women.
I am a professional woman with a secure job and no kids. I have a good amount of disposable income and I love to shop, but it seems that Old Navy does not have space for me in its stores. I will be exercising my capitalist prerogative to not shop Old Navy again, until I can feel welcome to shop for clothes in my own size in your stores.
A reasoned and dignified letter. For those who are inspired by it to a significant cut-and-paste extent, please change the phrase “…. fat people will effect the carefully …” to “fat people will affect the carefully … ”
(Not a criticism of the writer or her thoughts. It happens.)
I wrote to them yesterday, explained how unhappy I was with this decision, and I received a reply last night that basically said, ‘too bad, so sad’. end of letter. There doesn’t seem to be any re-thinking on their part. Hopefully if they receive more letters like these and mine, they will reconsider. Otherwise, they really don’t seem to care much.
I also wrote a letter, and erceived the same response. I’ll copy/paste it here (like they probably are doing for every response!)
Thank you for your e-mail regarding our Women’s Plus line. We
appreciate the tim eyou have taken to share your comments. After much
evaluation, and as difficult a decision as it was, we will be removing
the Women’s Plus line from all of our Old Navy stores. Please accept
our sincere apologies for any disappointment this may cause you.
While we will no longer carry Women’s Plus in any of our stores, the
complete line is available on our website at oldnavy.com. You can place
an order on the web or by calling 1-800-OLD-NAVY, option one. Our
online representatives are available 24 hours a day to assist you with
questions or order placement.
We hope this information is helpful and look forward to shopping with
you soon.
To Whom It May Concern:
I have been a dedicated customer of Old Navy since I discovered your store in 1998. Since that time, my small family of four has been outfitted with all Old Navy clothes. I enjoyed the customer service, style of clothing and the price. I enjoyed all of this until I put on some weight after two pregnancies. So while I still shopped at Old Navy for the rest of my family, I held off on shopping for myself at your stores because the plus-size department was largely underdeveloped as most of the clothes were ill-fitted or down right dowdy looking compared to the clothes available for the regular clothing line. Of course, I had hoped that in time the plus-sized line would develop into an awesome prospect for women of size.
Recently, I learned that Old Navy is pulling the plus-size clothing line out of the stores and will be offering the line online only. I must say that I am saddened at the news and have since changed my opinion of Old Navy.
I would like to take this opportunity to say that you did not give the plus-size clothing line a fair chance. I am sad that Old Navy does not want to appeal to the majority of “real-sized” women as the plus-size market for the young, hip and curvy is virtually untapped save for a few stores.
What makes you think that plus-sized women would rather shop online for clothes? We enjoy trying things on in the stores just like everyone else. We too have a fit and preference for our body style. Perhaps the reason that the plus-size line did not do well in the stores is due to the fact the plus-size clothes were shoved to the back of the stores near the clearance items. Perhaps, just perhaps, the reason that this new line failed to take off as expected is due to the lack of marketing and effort put into the clothing line to from the start. Fat women will not wear ugly clothes no matter who makes them.
Therefore, it is with a heavy heart and a heavy wallet that I end my relationship with Old Navy. I would much rather patronize a store and brand that welcomes my business and my money by offering great looking clothing in the stores, rather than dowdy looking clothing pushed to the “online” corner.
Thanks but no thanks,
Kellie
Former Old Navy Customer
Here is my email:
I am a woman who wears plus sizes, and I am disappointed to find that you are removing them from your stores. I realize that they are also available online, but I find myself unable to purchase online clothing goods–how can I know if the garments fit if I cannot first try them on? By removing the plus-sized lines from your stores, you are alienating not only a large minority of shoppers, but also a large minority of shoppers with cash to spend. Plus sizes are not that easy to find. Old Navy has been a wonderful alternative, providing reasonable pricing with plus sizes. There have been times when I’ve bought an entire season’s worth of plus-sized clothing from your stores. If you remove your plus sizes, I, and many other women, will not be able to spend our cash with you–in the end, nobody wins. Please reconsider your decision.
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently heard that Old Navy has decided to pull its plus size clothing line. Considering that a large segment of the population purchases pluz size clothing, I believe this is a poor decision on your part. In general, a good deal of us who do look for trendy pluz size fashions are both in a decent financial bracket and, in addition to shopping for ourselves, we likely have children or family for which we shop. If Old Navy pulls its pluz size line, we have no incentive to come into your shop and purchase anything for ourselves or others. I am asking that you reconsider this decision and factor in the idea that it may be better for you to adjust your product in terms of fit rather than getting rid of it all together. From a personal perspective, I have found Old Navy’s PS line to be a weird fit and, at times, not in line with current trends.
Essentially, I have money to spend, and I’d like to spend it on cute plus size clothes. Either way, I will spend my money on nice trendy clothes but the question is if I will spend it at your store? I am sure that there are many more women like me.
In closing, I hope your company will seriously reconsider this decision.
Sincerely,
I got the same form letter response from “Ed”…so I wrote a reply to him…
Dear Ed:
Thank you for the form letter that your department has sent to numerous people in response to this issue. The fact that your company can’t take the time to respond other than essentially saying “too bad” is sad, but not surprising. What’s also sad is that Old Navy believes Plus Size shoppers will shop online for their PS clothes. To be quite honest, I wouldn’t shop at your online store, especially considering the fact that your line tends to be behind the times in terms of PS fashion trends and fits. The few PS items I have purchased at your physical store, I purchased because I could try them on and I liked them. Why would I, as a shopper, buy at your online store and pay shipping costs for something that is likely not going to fit well, when there are other online stores which are proven to offer quality trendy PS clothes that is both designed well and available at a reasonable cost?
As I stated in my previous email, I believe that it is a better idea for your designers to go back to the drawing board and work with several plus size people to develop a line that is both trendy and offers a variety of cuts for larger people. As I’m sure you know, individuals who shop for plus size fashions come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore, plus size shoppers are entitled to same benefits as average size people in terms of access to a vast array of designs and fits.
In closing, I am once again asking that Old Navy considers fixing the problem instead of giving up.
Sincerely,
I am furious! I send them this email and hope you will do the same!! If not boycott boycott!
Recently I entered your Old Navy store to find that they were hardly carrying any of your items in a size larger then a 12 or XL. I was shocked and aggravated but did not really believe that after shopping at Old Navy for so long would they suddenly stop carrying plus sizes in their stores. I figured they must have just been sold out.
Still in disbelief I mentioned my experience to a friend. She confirmed that you were no longer going to carry plus sizes in your stored and showed me an article to prove it. I am writing you because I feel that I need to put in a formal complaint about your decision to stop carrying your plus size line in stores. As a frequent Old Navy shopper, I spend several hundred dollars in your store a year, probably closer to a thousand. I was always happy to know that I would be able to come into your store and have a variety of sizes to try on. I was content knowing that I would find clothes that were stylish and well fitting. Shopping for plus size clothing online in inconvenient, discriminating, and unsatisfactory. I enjoy being able to try on clothing, see it, feel it, and make sure it is the right color, size, and style for me before I purchase it. Sadly, if your plus size line is taken out of your stores you will completely loose me as a customer. I will no longer stop in to buy a bag, shoes, a shirt or anything from your pet line. I will no longer do my Christmas shopping there or buy anything from your men’s line for my husband. Bluntly I will not enter your store and will urge my friends and family to do the same.
In hopes of hearing you will change your decision,
Amanda
I HOPE ALL OF YOU THAT FEEL THE SAME WILL ALSO SEND THEM A SIMILAR EMAIL AND BOYCOTT THEIR STORE IF THEY DO NOT CHANGE THEIR DECISION!
Just a thought…
It may or may not work, but how about sending some links about the clothes line removal to some news agencies. It’s a big move by a store and maybe a news outlet might pick it up. Then Old Navy would get some egg on its face and might reverse their decision.
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I think you all are crazy. If you think that Old Navy only goes up to a size 12 or xl you are sadly mistaken. they carry up to a size like 24. if you’re a 24 here’s an idea: how about losing some weight? no one’s going to cater to your mouth. maybe you should take care of yourself and get healthy instead of thinking the world owes you something. can’t find clothes? get smaller. make your own. don’t bitch about someone’s decision to not waste expensive material.
I know this is old, but HOLY CRAP. You are a complete fatist asshole.
It’s a shame that you have access to a computer and internet where you can express your “thoughts”. Because that brain cavity is a complete waste.
Just sayin.
I sent the following message. I cut and edited a previous post to write it. Please feel free to do the same.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a large woman. I have shopped at your store my family, the odd top for myself (which runs an XL for me), and I hove bought plus sizes on the website many times. But, often do not think to shop in for myself your store on a regular basis because your pants, skirts and dresses often don’t fit.
I was pleased a year or so ago to learn that Old Navy would begin offering a plus-size line of clothing. I heard this word of mouth and not through any advertising campaign. I went to a local store and found that there really aren’t plus sizes there, but that your regular line, at the time, went up to my size. Or so I thought. The clothing was not well fitting; even a size larger than I am used to wearing did not fit for me.
So while I did not continue shopping there for bottoms, I told other friends who were plus-size because sometimes different sizing works for different people.
I have heard, again via word-of-mouth, Old Navy is pulling the plus-size line from whatever stores that it had been in and will return to only offering them to customers on-line. I was told by an ON employee that the company made this decision because the plus-size line in store did not seem to be doing well. I have seen many Old Navy commercials. Sometimes they seem unavoidable. I’m wondering why it is that the plus-size line was not better advertised. Is it that the company is afraid that fat people will effect the carefully crafted young, cheerful, campy image that you are cultivating with your current ad campaigns?
While some may find it more convenient to shop on line, when they have the choice, to not have the choice and be required to pay for shipping for something without the benefit of trying it on first is something I find horribly inconvenient. If “corporate” feels it was a poor business decision to incorporate plus sizes into their stores, I ask how catering to the majority of the United States population is a bad idea?
If business wasn’t going well in the plus sector why in ot find out why? I suggest adjusting the and starting some plus marketing. Make an effort to fix the problem and find out why the line isn’t doing well instead of banishing us to the internet.
I have also been told that many people have had a similar experience of fit that I have had. Addtionally, I hate the fibers most of the clothes are made out of. large people like to wear cotton as well as polyester. This is discouraging and I wonder if perhaps someone in your design department needs to take a look at your fit models for larger sized women, and your designs for age appropriateness and composition.
I am a professional woman with a secure job and two kids. I have a GAP silver card. I have bought a lot clothes for my family at Old Navy. I will not shop Old Navy again until Old Navy has space for me in its stores.
Old Navy,
I have loved your store as long as I can remember picking out my own clothes. But today, i have a problem with it. Why aren’t your stores having plus size sections. So many of us women, would be delighted to shop in store for the outfits that we love and that fit us. I don’t order things from your website that I love because of the hassle of it not fitting, having to send it back, the ability to try it on would mean that I would probably spend more too.. I hope you consider adding plus sizes in store. Thank you!
Suzi
************
Dear Suzi,
Thank you for your email regarding our Women’s Plus line. After much
evaluation, and as difficult a decision as it was, we removed the
Women’s Plus line from all of our Old Navy stores. We?re so sorry for
any disappointment this has caused you. We do, however, continue to
carry Women’s sizes 1-20 in our stores.
The great news is that the complete Women’s Plus line is still available
for order at oldnavy.com, and our mail returns policy makes returns and
exchanges a breeze! You can place any order on the web or by calling
1-800-OLD-NAVY, and follow the prompts to place a new order.
You are a valued Old Navy customer and we look forward to shopping with
you again soon.
Sincerely,
Dana
Customer Service Consultant