From mouthwash to hair dye: How weight-loss jabs are changing shopping habits

Weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro are reshaping the shopping habits of millions in the UK, according to recent research. A study by Worldpanel by Numerator found that households with at least one GLP-1 user spent an average of £418 less on groceries in the year after starting the medication, amounting to an estimated £780m drop in national grocery spending. This aligns with a Cornell University study showing US households cut grocery spending by 5-8% after starting the drugs. The research reveals a shift in what people buy, not just a reduction in spending. Users cut back on chocolate, pastries, and alcohol while buying more fruit, protein-rich foods, chewing gum, mouthwash, and hair dyes—the latter addressing common side effects like bad breath and thinning hair. Nearly two-thirds of users reported reducing meals out, and spending at fast-food chains and coffee shops declined by 8%. Despite potential savings in some areas, the cost of the drugs themselves remains a barrier. Most UK patients pay privately, with prescriptions exceeding £300 per month, and a survey found cost was the primary reason people stopped taking the medication. The research also noted that households tend to revert to previous spending patterns when they stop using the drugs.