Report: Ann Taylor eliminates size 16 from store-based stock

New York City Ann Taylor Stores recently stopped ordering merchandise in size 16 across its Ann Taylor and LOFT banners, and by the end of spring, the size will only be available online, according to an article in Crain’s New York Business.

The company attributed the decision to low consumer demand for the plus size, as well as a higher production cost due to the size requiring more fabric and labor to separate, cut and fit patterns, the article said.

Similar strategies are already in play at Banana Republic and J. Crew, two chains that removed the size from stores, but made them available online.

The chain hopes the cost-saving strategy will positively impact its recently shrinking revenue. The company suffered double-digit same-store sales drops for fourth quarter 2008 across both banners, and it is currently closing 160 stores, the article added.