On the returns thing - I think the main issue is that sizes and the actual fit in cycle clothing are very, very variable - I can be anything from a medium to an X-Large depending on the manufacturer. Sizing charts are often not that helpful and you can be right on border of two sizes. As a consequence I think customers are ordering two of the same item and seeing which fits best then returning the one that doesn't.
It is very sad that they have gone as they were one of a very few companies dedicated to support women cycling kit needs.
Another factor may aslo be that some of the bigger brands have also now started offering women a good range of kit designed specifically for women cyclists and not just scale down versions of mens' kit and also in a range of colours & designs.
Spot on regarding sizing!
Until I discovered Fat Lad at the Back I bought and returned loads of XL and XXL stuff that made me look like the proverbial sack of poo tied up ugly.
It's not only cycling kit!
I'm going to my son's wedding in April and all the family have hired suits. After giving the firm my measurements I went for a 'try on'. The suit came on a hanger saying 48R. Now I own a few jackets which are 48 or, in only one case 50". My waist is a 40/42/44 depending on the manufacturer and fit. and my inside leg is a short 27", so none of my trousers are an R.
The trousers were a good 2" too tight around what passes for my waist. as a bonus there was 6" too much leg, I suppose I could have not bothered with shoes. The waistcoat and jacket were 6" too tight!
Their reaction was....'Well this suit always comes up a bit small.' In which case they should have made allowances.
My wife takes a 12, 14, 16 or in one case,18* blouse depending on the shop. Why do they bother with size labels when they don't make them to that size?
*You are sworn to secrecy on the 18, on pain of my mysterious disappearance coinciding with a new vegetable plot appearing in our back garden.