JCPenney Goes Big and Tall With New Stores

JCPenney is rolling out a chain of menswear stores, catering to the growing plus-size market. Called The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co., the retailer plans to launch an online store in April 2011 and open 10 specialty stores the following month.

"With big and tall customers making up over 50% of the male population and spending nearly $6 billion on apparel, footwear and accessories, we saw an opportunity to serve the fashionable and professional big and tall customer who is often frustrated by the lack of sizes and fits, availability of brands and the overall lack of customer service in their category," said Mike Ullman, JCPenney's chairman and CEO, in a statement. The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. will offer "an upscale environment and extensive assortments of apparel, footwear and furnishings created with them in mind."