John Lewis staff anger plus-size mum-of-four by telling her they didn’t stock clothes in her size and she should just shop online
Karen Connolly went to the store but was told they did not have anything for her figure
A MUM was left in tears and feeling "worthless" after being told by John Lewis workers that they do not stock clothes for her size.
Karen Connolly visited her local store in Chelmsford, Essex last month as she looked to purchase an outfit for an upcoming wedding.
However when the 57-year-old mum could not find anything to fit her size 22 figure, she asked staff: "Does that mean I'm the only fat person in Chelmsford?"
Karen, who has four children and works as an NHS business consultant, was looking for a dress and a jacket.
"I went into the changing room and I asked the two staff which range stocked a 20+ size and they looked quite dismayed," she said.
"I was quite insulted and I said 'what, nothing at all?' One of the women was larger size and said 'I can't get anything myself here'."
The shop assistants and the customer service desk told her to look online where clothes are stocked up to size 26 as they did not carry clothes above size 18.
Karen added: "I hate shopping online and I cannot see the quality or colour correctly. I would normally take a 20, 22 or 24 into a changing room and if it was online I would have to pay for it three times and return at least two items.
"I felt humiliated. The lack of availability of clothes for me and any other plus-sized women made me feel worthless.
"Unfortunately at that point I got very emotional and I started to cry, I felt incredibly embarrassed and it was probably frustration and a little bit of tiredness because I had been travelling.
"It's very hard to go shopping and it is exhausting to go from shop to shop, especially when you are looking for something smarter for work or an occasion.
"I know that 25 per cent of the female demographic are plus-sized now and that is just not catered for. It makes me feel that I'm not as valuable as my daughters who are nice size 8s and 10s.
"I have got money to spoil myself and I do but it won't be in John Lewis."
Things got worse for Karen as she was promised a call from John Lewis' customer services - the the call never came.
She said: "I'm not expecting them to change the store just for me, that would be unreasonable but I'd like an explanation as to why they don't believe they should stock adequate size ranges.
"I'm sure I'm not the only person to have gone through this. It's a pity John Lewis don't think we voluptuous ladies are worth their valuable floor space."