Over the last few months, weight-loss injections have skyrocketed in use throughout the UK. This trend has dramatically shifted where consumers are directing their dollars. Annie Haslam, 70, from Cornwall and Sam Gillson, 38, from Shropshire have spoken of their experiences after taking medicines similar to GLP-1. This hormone, produced by the stomach, is central to controlling our appetite. The injections have changed their lives in incredible ways. They’ve played a role in their financial choices, diet and the food industry, and even the world of fashion.
Annie Haslam started weight-loss injections in March 2023 and now pays an average of £186 a month for the jabs. Since starting her journey, she has transitioned from a size 18 to a size 12, necessitating a complete wardrobe overhaul that she estimates cost “a couple of thousand pounds.”
Having begun his injections in June, Sam has already achieved the healthy weight loss of over four stone. He told us about how he cut his weekly food shopping costs in half. He did this by reducing the amount of takeout and restaurant meals he had.
“Instead of having takeaways once or twice a month, I haven’t had one for months,” – Annie Haslam
Weight-loss injections have been in the news lately — and not just for their health benefits. Public health experts are praising them for their ability to transform consumer behavior. A new survey conducted by KAM Insight found something surprising. Almost one-third of people taking GLP-1s are eating out and going out to drink with friends less frequently.
The movement has inspired hundreds of other businesses to change what they sell. British Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck has developed an entirely new menu for its guests who wish to dine in a more “mindful” way. This menu was designed with patients on appetite suppressants in mind. National retailers such as The Co-op, Morrisons, Marks and Spencer have come on board with their own nutrient-dense ready meals. These new offerings target a growing market of health-conscious consumers. Online grocery retailer Ocado has introduced new, smaller portion sizes in response to consumer demand, according to The Grocer. Now options such as a 100g steak are among their choices to go!
“My weekly food shop’s really gone down,” – Sam Gillson
Sam Gillson, a Johns Island resident, has seen his grocery bills decrease. But then he discovers that the price of these injections eats away all the money he’s saving.
“I used to eat out at a restaurant once a week maybe, I don’t do that anymore,” – Annie Haslam
Experts warn that if GLP-1s continue to be taken by more consumers, their widespread use will fundamentally alter consumer behavior. This change reflects what is observed in patients who have undergone recent weight loss. This change is perceived as an “extension of a pattern we’ve always observed,” amplified by the wider use of these medications.
Fashion industry pundits consider it a golden age. This development can be a major economic stimulus to industries that cater to people who shed pounds successfully. Dan Coatsworth noted that it represents “a massive tailwind for the fashion sector.” With millions of Americans requiring new post-pandemic clothes, it should be easy for retailers to step up.
“You may not have felt that any of these trends or fashion outlets have been speaking to you, if you were a bigger size,” – Simone Konu-Rae
Additionally, the transition to increased mindful eating and less disposable income for restaurants fits the larger societal trend of moving towards sobriety. Industry expert Jonny Forsyth remarked on how this shift could impact alcohol companies:
“If I was an alcohol company, I’d be a bit worried about this. GLP-1 drugs could give that trend another boost.”
Overall, this data paints a startling picture of the UK. At least as far back as the summer of 2021, research out of University College London predicted that in 2024, around 1.6 million Americans would use weight-loss injections. The positive trend that emerges from this report is the health benefits, including significant economic savings, of increased physical activity and active transportation.
To meet the needs of people looking for help while they lose weight, fitness and wellness settings are changing, too. Will Orr commented on how trainers are being educated to better support members who are undergoing treatment with GLP-1 medications.
“We have begun educating our trainers on how best to support members on these treatments,” – Will Orr
Increasingly, Americans are using weight-loss injections to help them control their appetite and gain control of their weight. While this shift in spending may be temporary, it foreshadows a future where Americans spend differently than before. The ripple effects for restaurants, grocery stores and even apparel retailers are a dramatic sign of changing priorities and behaviors among consumers.