I wouldn't count on anything changing in the near future, despite the flood of comments on forums and Facebook. Except for a few outliers, most companies prefer to concentrate on making money for shareholders, not leading social change. From a business perspective, employing marketing research is a less risky, and more defensible, strategy than relying on hunches about potential markets, especially in today's tumultuous retail world.
Entering the plus-size market has two big hurdles to overcome: First, curvy bodies are unique in when, where, and how they curve so designers have to be more adept at creating designs which fit a wider variety of body shapes. It's easier to focus on a personal vision when you don't need to be distracted by how the person will actually be able to get into the garment, and many of today's designers simply aren't knowledgeable enough, or interested in, making the transition.
Secondly, the plus size market is just as--and maybe even more--diverse than the "regular" fashion market because of the sheer numbers who wear size 12 and over. Price points, fashion sensibilities, style preferences, and environmental considerations don't disappear just because the number on a scale goes over 150 lbs. Torrid isn't for everyone, but neither is Eileen Fisher. Picking the right designs for your target market, but the wrong pricepoint will sink you. Choose the wrong image and you'll lose your target market in the nanosecond it takes for your company to be labeled as too stodgy on Facebook.
My personal feeling is that designers and retailers aren't unaware of the demand for more options in plus-sized clothing, but have decided, in today's low-cost, fast fashion environment it's just too risky to sell to shareholders. The companies who do go that route, like Torrid, are as likely to elicit sneers as well as cheers in the press and with consumers. If companies like Torrid make money, then other designers and retailers will leap on the bandwagon, but, if they fail, it will just confirm the perception that the plus-size territory is too much of a mine field for a fashion-focused company in today's retail climate.
