GLP-1 drugs boost UK clothing sales, crush plus-size retail
The rapid uptake of weight-loss drugs is shifting consumer spending toward standard-sized apparel, delivering a windfall to mid-market retailers while threatening the survival of plus-size brands.
The arrival of injectable and newly approved pill-form weight-loss drugs in the UK is triggering a measurable shift in retail spending, driving a surge in clothing purchases among millions of consumers shedding weight. Research from PwC indicates that 5% of British adults, roughly 3 million people, are currently taking GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, with uptake expected to reach 13% by the end of next year.
This medical shift is translating directly into economic activity. Berenberg bank analysts estimate the trend will provide a 1% boost to the overall UK clothing market in each of the next three years. According to PwC, 42% of UK users are spending more on clothes, favouring activewear and occasion wear as they develop what the consultancy describes as a "body proud" mentality.
Mid-market retailers are capturing the bulk of this new demand. At M&S, 65% of womenswear jeans sales now come from sizes 6 to 12, compared to a historical norm of 40%. Berenberg analyst Anne Critchlow notes the shift aligns with a broader move away from the baggy silhouettes of the pandemic era toward structured, body-conscious fashion.
Conversely, the plus-size sector is facing a sudden contraction. Simon Wolfson, chief executive of Next, recently told analysts that sales of very large sizes have fallen. The pain is acute for specialist retailers; London-based BeigePlus has suffered a 20% fall in sales over the past two years. "The impact has been nothing short of catastrophic," says BeigePlus chief executive Hennie Fearnley. "From a commercial perspective, these drugs are reshaping the plus-size fashion market at remarkable speed."
The launch of the first pill version of Wegovy in UK pharmacies this week is expected to accelerate these market dynamics. PwC notes that 83% of potential users would be more likely to take the drugs if available in pill form, broadening the demographic beyond those willing to use injections. Stephen Fitzgerald, a former commercial director at M&S, projects that 10% to 15% of the UK population could be taking these drugs by 2030. "The effect on apparel retailers should be significant," he says.
