Weight Loss Drug Surge Impacts British Supermarket Sales Volumes For First Time in 2025

British supermarkets are experiencing their first decline in grocery sales volumes this year, with experts attributing part of this downturn to the rising popularity of weight-loss medications. Market research firm Kantar reports a 0.4 per cent year-on-year decrease in sales volumes over the past four weeks.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, highlighted that approximately four in every hundred British households now include a GLP-1 user, representing a doubling from the previous year. The research indicates that 80 per cent of users plan to reduce their consumption of snacks and confectionery, while three-quarters aim to cut back on biscuits.

The impact of these revolutionary weight-loss medications, developed by Denmark’s Novo Nordisk and America’s Eli Lilly, extends beyond individual health choices. Industry analysts project the weight-loss drugs market could reach £118 billion by 2030, prompting significant concerns across the food and beverage sectors.

Research from Cornell University reveals that households with GLP-1 users reduced their grocery spending by 5.5 per cent within six months of starting the medication. The effect was even more pronounced in higher-income households, which saw an 8.6 per cent reduction in spending, particularly on processed, calorie-dense items.

The trend has already influenced investment decisions, with notable investor Terry Smith divesting from Diageo, the owner of premium spirits brands, citing concerns about reduced alcohol consumption among weight-loss drug users. In the UK, prescription data shows more than 1.5 million people are currently using weight-loss medications, with sales more than doubling in the past six months according to life science analytics firm Iqvia.