As a pop culture or t-shirt retailer, understanding the needs of your customer is crucial to the success of your store or ecommerce website. One often overlooked, but potentially profitable apparel market segment, is plus-size t-shirts and apparel.  When you dial in this opportunity even more to a specialized niche like band merchandise, it can be a winning combination for retailers. Here’s why all of us at merchshowroom.com believe that retailers may want to consider expanding their band t-shirt inventory to include sizes 2XL to 5XL.

Untapped Potential in Plus-Size Band T-Shirts and Apparel
The plus-size apparel market is expanding rapidly. As of recent studies, the global plus-size clothing market size was valued at over $480 billion in 2019 and is expected to witness substantial growth. This growth is powered by demand for fashion for all sizes, including the often difficult to find larger sizes featuring licensed designs like those on band t-shirts. 



Greater Willingness to Pay More and Larger Cart Totals
Customers looking for 2XL to 5XL sized tees face limited choices, especially in specialized merchandise like band t-shirts. This scarcity often makes customers in this segment less price-sensitive and more willing to pay a premium for products that meet their style and size preferences. Retailers can leverage this by stocking a variety of larger-sized band tees.  

In addition to plus sized customers being less price sensitive, it has been proven that they typically garner larger cart sizes for retailers.   This is due to the scarcity and limited choices that the consumer may have in their local area.   It can also create an almost blind loyalty to your store or brand.  

Strategic Band Merch Inventory Expansion
By offering band t-shirts in 2XL to 5XL, retailers can cater to a broader audience than they have previously reached. Our partnerships with licensees and manufacturers of licensed items allow retailers to choose from thousands of designs across various bands and music genres.  This enables them to tailor their inventory to the demographic preferences of their local customer base or online audience. Whether your customers are classic rock enthusiasts or pop music fans, having a diverse and an inclusive range of t-shirt sizes ensures that your business will convert more sales.

Competitive Advantage
Stocking larger sizes can also serve as a competitive edge. While many retailers carry band t-shirts, few expand their inventory beyond 2XL to include plus sizes. By doing so, you not only meet a market need but also position your store as inclusive and thoughtful, qualities that can enhance customer loyalty and brand perception.

If you're considering stocking plus size band t-shirts  (sizes 2XL to 5XL) in your store, the team at Merch Showroom can help guide you to the suppliers and wholesale band t-shirts that are currently available via our direct wholesale distribution or via one of our manufacturing partners.   Adding plus sized t-shirts can be a great business move, but it can also show a commitment to inclusivity.  As the market for plus-size apparel continues to grow, retailers have a unique opportunity to capture this rising demand and see substantial returns by catering to a segment that has been historically underserved. With 1000s of wholesale licensed products at your fingertips, expanding your inventory to include larger sizes could be your next big move towards retail success.

In the retail world, success comes from not just meeting market demand but anticipating it. Offering plus-sized band t-shirts gives your store the opportunity to lead your local market by creating a space where every fan can find their fit and share their unique style.