How the GLP-1 Trend Is Impacting Retail Returns and Inventory
Data analysis can help retailers better forecast how GLP-1 consumers are impacting their business.
Home » Blogs » Think Tank » How the GLP-1 Trend Is Impacting Retail Returns and Inventory Think Tank RSS How the GLP-1 Trend Is Impacting Retail Returns and Inventory October 28, 2026 Kara Holthaus, SCB Contributor A PwC report found 21% of U.S. households now include someone taking a GLP-1 weight-loss medication, up from 9% in January 2025. That’s a big shift in just a little over a year, and it’s having an immediate impact on the retail supply chain.
Apparel retailers have been vocal about GLP-1 consumers causing an uptick in returns. The Wall Street Journal reported on the returns growth in apparel and one retailer attributed a 50% uptick in returns to the trend.
As consumers use the medication and see a change in their bodies, they’re experimenting and buying items in multiple sizes to try at home, sending back what doesn’t fit. This practice is called bracketing.
In food, restaurants are seeing smaller portions being ordered, while grocers are adjusting stock to meet shifting demand. Some supermarkets even have dedicated GLP-1-friendly aisles.
This story was originally published by SupplyChainBrain. Read the full story at SupplyChainBrain →
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