Britain’s growing reliance on weight loss injections is reshaping supermarket spending patterns, with new data showing a significant fall in grocery sales among users of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Research from Worldpanel by Numerator indicates that households with at least one GLP-1 user have reduced grocery spending by £780 million, with 299 million fewer packs of food and drink purchased through supermarkets. The study, based on more than 11,500 households, suggests the trend is accelerating rapidly.
According to the findings, 6.3% of UK households now include a current user of these medications, up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024. This represents around 1.9 million adults, nearly three times the number recorded two years ago.
The shift is already being felt across the food retail sector. Households using GLP-1 drugs spend an average of £418 less than non-users, with sharp declines in impulse-driven categories. Around 75% of users say they have cut back on chocolate, while 72% have reduced crisps consumption. Chocolate confectionery sales among users have fallen significantly faster than among non-users since treatment began.
Worldpanel by Numerator’s head of public sector and nutrition, Chantel Kennaugh, said the drugs have moved rapidly from niche medical treatment to mainstream use, with 68% of users now taking them specifically for weight loss. She said this expansion is reshaping how consumers interact with food, forcing retailers and manufacturers to adapt.
The profile of users shows a strong gender imbalance, with women accounting for 77% of current users. A growing share, 26%, say they would consider taking the medication even without a serious health condition, reflecting a shift towards lifestyle-driven use rather than purely medical need. In contrast, NHS prescribing remains limited to strict clinical criteria, meaning most patients access the drugs privately.
Cost has emerged as the main barrier to continued use. Around 41% of former users say they stopped treatment due to expense, a factor intensified by sharp price increases, including a reported 170% rise in UK list prices for Mounjaro last year.
Despite reduced overall spending, some product categories are benefiting. Users report increased demand for mouthwash and chewing gum, linked to side effects such as dry mouth, while more than half say they experience fewer cravings and are adopting more mindful eating habits.
Consumer expectations are also changing. Around 40% of users want smaller portion sizes in restaurants, while 26% support dedicated GLP-1-friendly menu options. Analysts warn that food brands which fail to adjust could lose relevance as appetite patterns shift.
With adoption expected to rise further, researchers say supermarkets and manufacturers are only beginning to feel the full impact of changing consumer behaviour driven by weight loss medication.
