The Impact of Weight-Loss Injections on Consumer Spending Habits
Esyllt Carr
Business Reporter
Weight-loss injections are not just helping people shed pounds; they're also transforming how people spend their money. According to recent research from University College London, approximately 1.6 million people in the UK used weight-loss injections in 2024, and millions more are interested in trying them.
For those who opt for private treatment, these injections can cost over £300 per month. As their popularity rises, businesses are adapting to cater to this new type of consumer.
Groceries: Embracing Nutrient-Dense Foods
Weight-loss injections mimic the natural hormone GLP-1, which regulates hunger, leading to reduced appetite. Sam Gillson, 38, from Shropshire, who has lost over four stone using these injections since June, confirms this. He now buys more fresh foods and fewer unhealthy ready meals like pizza, chips, and nuggets.
Supermarkets like The Co-op, Morrisons, and Marks & Spencer have introduced nutrient-dense ready meal ranges, and Ocado now sells a 100g steak, responding to the growing demand for smaller portions.
Sam emphasizes the importance of ensuring that his smaller portions contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Dining Out: Changing Eating Habits
A survey by KAM Insight revealed that nearly a third of GLP-1 drug users dine out and drink less frequently. Annie Haslam, 70, from Cornwall, who has been using weight-loss injections since March, now spends around £186 monthly on the injections.
She no longer orders takeaways, which she used to do once or twice a month, and has stopped eating out at restaurants weekly.
Drinking: A Shift Towards Sobriety
Research by Worldpanel by Numerator in February 2025 found a 15-percentage point drop in alcohol volume purchases among households with GLP-1 users compared to a controlled benchmark.
The Co-op's Nicole Tallant noted that members taking weight-loss drugs are reducing their alcohol intake alongside their food consumption, prioritizing overall health and well-being.
The rise of non-alcoholic drinks options in recent years, with an expected record 200 million pints of low and no-alcohol beer consumed in 2025, further supports a strong trend towards sobriety.
Fashion: A Wardrobe Makeover
Annie Haslam spent a significant amount replacing her old clothes, including underwear, after losing from a size 18 to a size 12.
Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, predicts that the fashion sector will benefit from the popularity of weight-loss drugs, as people may need to buy new clothes as their wardrobe no longer fits.
Second-hand platforms like Vinted could see even more growth, catering to those who quickly find their clothes no longer fit.
Beauty, Health, and Fitness: A New Look
The desire for a new look is also evident in the beauty and fitness sector. Market research firm Worldpanel by Numerator's survey suggested increased spending on healthcare, toiletries, and supplements among weight-loss injection users.
Some wellness break companies are now advertising specific retreats targeting GLP-1 users.
Will Orr, CEO of The Gym Group, observes a growing demand for fitness services as people on weight-loss drugs aim to maintain their weight loss and build muscle mass.
However, health, fitness, and wellness trends have been prominent for some time, and Orr believes they will continue to thrive.
Mintel's Georgia Stafford notes that while GLP-1 drugs are on many brands' radars, beauty brands have yet to launch specific products in the UK for weight-loss drug users. The cost of these drugs may also lead to reduced spending in other areas.
Despite this, products promising plumper skin and fuller hair, often marketed as anti-ageing, may already align with the preferences of those on weight-loss drugs.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons' data revealed an 8% rise in demand for facelifts in 2024, attributed to an extension of a pattern observed in post-weight-loss patients, now amplified by the wider use of these medications.
