| Industry insiders are gearing up for weight-loss drugs to shake up the consumer economy as they seep into every sector — including apparel, restaurants, grocery, gyms and travel. They are causing a “psychological shift” for the people taking them, said Ali Furman, a partner in PwC’s U.S. consumer markets division. As their bodies change, she said, so are their decisions on how to spend their time and money. In just over a year, the percentage of U.S. adults taking drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound more than doubled to 12.4 percent, according to Gallup. The survey also reported that the obesity rate fell from almost 40 percent in 2022 to 37 percent in 2025. Some companies are already responding by acquiring health food brands, renovating hotel gyms and changing lunch menus. But that’s only scratching the surface, said Diana Melencio, a partner at XRC Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. “It's revolutionary,” she said. “GLP-1s will play a huge role in society.” Take a ride with us to see how these drugs are reshaping the consumer economy and what companies are doing to adapt. |
