Market research showing the rising number of plus-size consumers is good news for home shopping group N Brown, broker KBC Peel Hunt believes.

Mintel data published last week showed that a quarter of women in the UK fall into the category and wear clothes of size 18 and above. Almost four out of 10 over-55s are plus-sized, and nearly three in 10 aged between 35 and 44 wear clothing of size 18 and above.

KBC Peel Hunt analyst John Stevenson said: “Such data clearly supports N Brown’s dominant position in the plus-size market, the more so given the lack of plus-size product on the high street.

“With rates of obesity increasing, the new generation of younger, fashion-conscious plus-size consumers are looking for the same trend-led clothes that exist for slimmer women, a trend that N Brown is exploiting through its Simply Be ranges and Jacomo in menswear.”