Torrid to close 180 stores. See reactions from plus-size community.
Plus-size clothing chain Torrid is expected to close up to 180 underperforming stores this year − nearly 30% of the retailer's brick-and-mortar footprint, the company announced in its first quarter earnings report.
The store closures are a part of Torrid's move to a more digital-forward approach, the June 5th report said. Torrid CEO Lisa Harper said in a news release that 70% of Torrid customers shop on the store's website and the retailer experienced a nearly 5% decrease in first quarter sales compared to 2024.
Since January, Torrid has already closed two locations, making the chain's total store count 632.
Here's what we know about the closures and what it could mean for shoppers.
Store closures: Could 2025 bring a new 'retail reality'? Why experts say store closures could skyrocket
What Torrid locations are closing?
As of June 10, Torrid has not shared which locations would be closing. Torrid did not immediately respond for comment about the closures when contacted by USA TODAY.
To find a list of Torrid locations, visit the Torrid website at torrid.com/stores/.
Torrid joins other plus-size clothing stores closing
Torrid is not the only plus-size clothing chain that has shuttered locations. In 2020, Lane Bryant, an Ohio-based plus-size retailer, closed 157 physical locations and in 2019, Avenue closed all of its physical stores − both closures a part of bankruptcy protections. Both Lane Bryant and Avenue continue to operate their online shops.
Pharmacy closures: CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid are all set to close stores. Hundreds have already shuttered.
'We can't run out and grab a last-minute outfit'
Christine Murphy, who has advocated online for the plus-size clothing industry since 2016, told USA TODAY that she was "devastated" to learn of the store closures. She said "a good chunk" of her closet is from Torrid, not out of choice, but because it's one of the only remaining brick-and-mortars that offers her size.
"Removing brick and mortar options from plus-size folks, especially those of us at the larger end of the fatness spectrum means that we have to pre-plan our lives due to being relegated to online-only options," Murphy said. "We can't run out and grab a last minute outfit for a party or interview or even a funeral. If our luggage gets lost when we travel, we are out of luck. Straight-sized folks have limitless options. I can't even imagine having a fraction of the options they have."
Murphy, who is based in Pennsylvania, said she believes that brands don't know how to launch a plus-size line well, which can result in an unsuccessful campaign.
Murphy cited Old Navy's 2021 BodEquality campaign as an example. A year after launching the size-inclusive line, Old Navy decided to scale it back, claiming that a decrease in sales may have been because the line wasn't as successful as predicted.
"The clothes aren't trendy, they don't use real plus-size bodies in their campaigns to show us how the pieces would look on us, and then when the items don't sell because it wasn't done well, the plus-size community gets blamed for not buying it," Murphy said.
In a TikTok video with more than 100,000 views as of June 10, content creator Nikki Apostolou said she isn't surprised Torrid is closing stores, as customers are expressing concerns with the retailer's clothing styles and quality.
"I remember being younger and going to the mall and not having a single store that I could shop at while my friends would leave with bags and bags. So it is important to have a brick-and-mortar, especially when plus-size women make up the majority of the market," Apostolou said in her video.
JCPenney, Macy's and more retailers closing stores in 2025
Several other large retailers have announced closures for 2025, including JCPenney, Macy's, Kohl's, Big Lots, Party City, and Joann Fabric and Crafts.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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