GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Inc. announced that shoppers of all sizes will soon be able to browse the same clothing racks at all 230 of its stores across the Midwest. The integration is expected to be complete by early next year, bringing together everything from missy size small to plus 3X.

Meijer pointed out that it is acting as an industry leader in making this change, and noted that the company is proudly creating a shopping experience based on trends, not size. It also said shoppers appreciate the merchandising change.

In addition, Meijer is rolling out equal pricing for all women’s apparel, despite higher production costs for clothing in plus sizes. “We believe all our customers deserve to pay the same price for the same trends, regardless of size,” commented Annette Repasch, group vice president of soft lines for Meijer.

By combining all sizes into one department, Meijer is able to maximize its apparel retail space. The new, integrated clothing department accounts for just 80% of the space that is now allocated to fashion. Consolidation will permit Meijer’s apparel buyers to add more trends and styles, the company said.