(June 10): Rapidly expanding use of weight-loss medicines in the UK has wiped about £780 million (RM4.25 billion) off annual grocery spending, according to research by a consumer data group.

Households with at least one user of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs bought 299 million fewer food items in the year after adoption of the medication, with users reporting a dwindling number of cravings and cutting back on treats like chocolate and potato chips, the study from Worldpanel by Numerator published Wednesday showed.

Use of the drugs has nearly tripled in two years, the group said, with 6.3% of households in Britain including at least one current user of GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. That’s up from 4.1% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2024.

“What was once a specialised treatment, primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes, has in just a few short years become a mainstream force,” said Chantel Kennaugh, Worldpanel’s head of public sector and nutrition for the UK.

Businesses and brands are adapting to the surge in demand for weight-loss drugs, with grocers selling smaller portions of high-protein foods targeted at users of GLP-1 treatments.

J Sainsbury plc started offering high-protein ready meals in small sizes, dubbed “small but mighty", this year while Marks & Spencer Group plc has a "nutrient-dense" range.

There’s a knock-on effect for restaurants, too. Around 40% of users want the option of smaller portion sizes and more than a quarter want GLP-1-friendly sections on menus, according to Worldpanel, which surveyed more than 11,500 households.

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