Retailers must develop health & beauty ranges to cater both to consumers using weight-loss medication (GLP-1s) and to those seeking non-medicated approaches to weight management. Health & wellness has ranked as the most influential factor in GlobalData’s mega-trend analysis since 2021. The rapid rise of GLP-1 drugs is further accelerating consumer focus in this area, driving demand for both products that address the side effects of rapid weight loss and for non-prescription weight management solutions. As newer pill-based GLP-1 formats improve accessibility and convenience, uptake is expected to widen, increasing demand in these areas.
Over half of GLP-1 users state that they have changed their shopping habits since starting medication, according to GlobalData’s March 2026 survey. Two-thirds of those increased their spending on health products, such as vitamins and supplements, to support their weight-loss journey. Alongside weight-management products, retailers should expect growth in demand for products that help consumers manage the physical effects associated with rapid weight loss, such as facial volume loss, reduced skin elasticity and hairline changes. This will lift demand for skincare positioned around firmness and hydration, such as retinoid- and collagen-focused products, and for haircare such as thickening or volumising shampoos and scalp care.
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
However, consumer scepticism towards GLP-1 drugs also remains high. Many consumers are concerned about the side effects of new weight-loss medications, while others will be deterred by affordability and limited access. This leaves significant space for non-prescription weight-management solutions, particularly around appetite regulation and products that support healthier lifestyle habits. Emerging brands such as Kind Patches demonstrate how this market is evolving. These adhesive wellness patches, stocked in Boots and Superdrug, deliver natural ingredients through the skin to support appetite management and other wellbeing needs. Retailers that balance innovation in GLP-1-adjacent categories with broader wellness positioning will be best placed to capture demand without alienating consumers who remain cautious about medical weight-loss solutions.
