U.S. plus-size retailer Torrid to launch first store in Canada Sept. 1

Blogger Christina Lewis looks through clothes at the plus-size fashion retailer Torrid during a conference between bloggers and retailers in New York, Thursday, July 8, 2010. (AP / Stuart Ramson)

TORONTO -- Plus-size retailer Torrid is launching its first international location in Canada.

The company says it will open in the new wing of the Toronto Eaton Centre on Sept. 1.

The retailer plans to launch three additional locations in Toronto later this fall.

Torrid is billed as the fastest growing retailer in the U.S. for young women sizes 12 to 28.

The retailer has more than 280 stores across the U.S.

The company currently ships to more than 150 countries and says it has a "significant online customer base in Canada."

"The vibrant Canadian market is the perfect fit with our expansion plans," Torrid CEO Lisa Harper said in a statement.

"We have a robust online business there and it makes perfect sense for our first international store to open in Toronto."