Weight loss jabs transform UK food shopping as use nearly triples
The use of weight loss jabs in the UK has nearly tripled in two years (Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)
The use of weight loss jabs in the UK has nearly tripled in two years, according to research from Worldpanel by Numerator, with 6.3 per cent of households having at least one user in 2026, up from 2.3 per cent in 2024.
This surge has led to a shift in shopping patterns, with grocery bills falling overall by £780m as users of GLP-1s reduce their spending, Worldpanel found in its survey of 11,500 households.
Sales of items like crisps and chocolates have been negatively impacted, while oral health product sales have risen due to side effects such as bad breath.
Despite the jabs’ growing popularity, expense remains a major barrier, with four out of ten users discontinuing the medication due to its high cost.
Chantel Kennaugh, head of public sector and nutrition at Worldpanel, said: “These drugs are fundamentally disrupting how people engage with food and drink, with ripple effects already being felt across grocery and lifestyle, forcing brands and businesses to adapt at pace.”
