New Look criticised by shoppers for imposing ‘fat tax’ on plus-size clothing

The retailer is charging up to 30 per cent more for items in its Curves range

(Getty Images)

High street retailer New Look has been criticised by shoppers for allegedly imposing a “fat tax” across its plus-sized range.

The claims come after Maria Wassell, a retail supervisor from Kent, noticed a pair of trousers from the brand’s Curves range were being sold for 15 per cent more than an identical pair in the store’s main collection.

The mother-of-two says that she was “absolutely disgusted” to discover New Look’s Green Stripe Wide Leg Trousers were being sold for £22.99 in the Curves range but just £19.99 in their standard range.

Shocked at the price differences, Wassell investigated further by checking the retailer’s website for more disparities in pricing.

Here, she found that the Green Stripe Tres Jolie Slogan T-Shirt was being sold for £9.99 in the standard range and £12.99 in the Curves range – a 30 per cent difference in cost.

“It’s like I’m being discriminated against for being plus size when I’m only slightly bigger than average,” Wassell told The Sun.

“Why should we be penalised for being slightly bigger? A lot of retailers do this.

“Some retailers have claimed that plus-size clothes need more fabric and that’s why it costs more. That’s basically rubbish.

New Look's Green Stripe Tres Jolie Slogan T-Shirt is being sold online for £9.99 in the standard range and £12.99 in the Curves range

“I used to work for a plus-size brand so I do understand a lot about how it works.”

Now, the 43-year-old is vowing to boycott the store and claims that the retailer is alienating itself from plus-sized shoppers.

“It’s discriminating against those customers who are larger.

New Look’s Green Stripe Wide Leg Trousers are being sold online for £22.99 in the Curves range but just £19.99 in their standard range

“Retail at the moment is a really hard business to be in and they’re not doing themselves any favours. New Look are already closing stores down.”

Wassell claims that she contacted the high street retailer regarding the issue and was told that “some products appear similar but may be slightly different.”

New Look added that they are in the process of reviewing the pricing structure of its plus-size collection.

A Red Floral Tulip Dress from Blue Vanilla is in the sale being sold for £18 in the standard range and £24 for plus sizes

“To ensure pricing differences like these don’t happen in future, we are in the process of reviewing the pricing structure of our plus-size collection in a way which works best for our customers and our business,” a New Look spokesman said.

“We are proud of the ranges we offer to our plus-size customers and value all customers, no matter what their body shape or size.”

The Independent has contacted New Look for comment.