Brandy Melville has reportedly shuttered fitting rooms in its stores across the US, UK, and Canada. The move has sparked backlash from customers who cite the brand's limited sizing and exchange-only return policy. Other retailers including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Goodwill have taken similar steps in recent years.
Customers shared photos and videos last week showing closed fitting rooms. Staff members confirmed the changes in some posts, though the company has not issued an official statement. The closures join actions by UK supermarkets Sainsbury’s and Tesco, as well as US thrift chain Goodwill. Sainsbury’s cited efforts to simplify store operations in a February 2025 post. Tesco began trialing reopenings of some fitting rooms in April. Experts note that while closures can cut costs, they may raise return rates. Research shows in-store returns average 10 percent compared to 30 percent online. Higher returns also increase waste and emissions from reverse logistics. Retail analysts say fitting rooms support higher conversion rates and better customer experiences. Some brands have invested in improved spaces or virtual try-on tools to address fit issues without closures.
