Merchandise Focus: Plus-size Women

Riggs says she understands why not every company can have a philosophy as intricate as hers: “They have to deliver profits for the stockholders. I have more flexibility.”

Also, many companies that specialize in large-size apparel don’t stop halfway. “A lot of catalogs now offer women’s sizes, up to maybe a traditional size 44 or 46,” says DeGaetano of Roaman’s. “We do very well in the super sizes, up to 56 or 60.”