GLP-1s are dramatically changing more than bodies—they’re changing how we consume

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are reshaping consumer behavior, triggering a sharp rise in apparel returns as shoppers rapidly downsize, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. At the same time, ultra-processed foods have received tremendous backlash due to recent health studies over the last few months. 

The Wall Street Journal detailed in another report that one major brand being affected by this is Campbell’s, a company that reported falling snack sales amid continued soft demand for salty snacks and bakery items.

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Retailers face rising return costs

Apparel companies are seeing returns surge as GLP-1 users drop clothing sizes monthly. According to The Wall Street Journal, GLP-1 consumers can drop a clothing size each month. Shoppers often order multiple sizes and return the ones that don’t fit. The share of exchanges where buyers sized down hit 14.6% in 2025, according to a Narvar review of 38 retailers cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Returns are profit-killers. A 5- to 10-point increase can slash gross margins by $20 million for a $1 billion firm, the report confirmed. Over $5 billion in plus-size inventory is now at risk, according to a New York Post report.

Public backlash against junk food 

Related to the current weight loss wave, Americans are broadly rejecting ultra-processed foods, viewing them as addictive hazards comparable to alcohol, according to new Cornell-led research. A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that more than 60% believe these items cause obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. This sentiment has created an unusual bipartisan consensus that mirrors the public shift that eventually regulated the tobacco industry, researchers confirmed. 

Jeff Niederdeppe, the study’s first author, said the convergence of public belief and scientific evidence creates a “critical window for policy action.” Despite this shift, ultra-processed food consumption remains high, accounting for 55% of total calories for Americans aged one and older between 2021 and 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Children consume even more, with 61.9% of their calories coming from these manufactured products, the report noted. 

While intake has dropped slightly from previous years, nutritionists warn the reduction is not a significant public health achievement. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University noted that excessive consumption is connected to higher risks of cancer and depression, per another Wall Street Journal report.

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Campbell’s pushes snack turnaround

Major processed food brand Campbell’s said snack consumption remained soft due to unstable fresh bakery operations and weak demand for chips and pretzels. “I recognize that our performance remains well below expectations,” said Chief Executive Mick Beekhuizen, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the CDC noting the harm ultra-processed foods have on children, Campbell’s is refocusing Goldfish marketing on families with kids, including a Pokémon collaboration. It also plans to simplify product lines, boost marketing for salty snacks, and adjust pack sizes and pricing.

For the fiscal year, Campbell’s forecasts organic net sales to decline 1% to 2% and adjusted earnings per share between $2.15 and $2.25. Shares fell 23% year to date, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The ancient fruit surge

As consumers seek whole foods, sales of dates in the U.S. jumped 33% in 2025, according to Joolies California Superfruit, per a Fox News report. The market projection for dates in America is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2034, the report confirmed. In the U.K., sales of Medjool dates at retailer Ocado increased 100% compared to the prior year, according to The Guardian, per Fox News. 

These ancient fruits, cultivated for thousands of years, offer natural sweetness and fiber without chemical additives. Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital that dates are a “go-to ingredient” for lowering sugar in desserts. She said they provide essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium while improving gut health. Videos of people trying dates have gone viral on social media as users share healthy dessert recipes.