Walmart executives say Ozempic could ultimately lower prices at grocery stores.
Popular drugs used to suppress appetite, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, can have economical side effects. People who take these medications appear to be buying fewer groceries at Walmart, where Nicholas, of Elleane, picked up his prescriptions and groceries this week.
“I believe it. I bought less,” she said.
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She started taking Ozempic after having two heart attacks and has lost 36 pounds since May.
“My shopping cart was always overflowing because I had all the junk and soda and stuff. Now it’s less than half what it used to be,” she says.
Walmart has one of the most sophisticated systems for collecting data on shoppers, and U.S. CEO John Farner told Bloomberg that “we’re seeing some decline in overall baskets…in number. , and slightly fewer calories.”
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Leo Ferrer is chief economist at Numerator, a company that analyzes the shopping receipts of millions of people.
Mr. Ferrer said the company “how [customer] Will consumption patterns change? That data can then be used to help inform retailers and food manufacturers. ”
Healthcare providers wrote more than 9 million prescriptions for drugs used for weight loss in the last three months of 2022. Morgan Stanley estimates that by 2035, 7% of the US population will be taking these drugs. This equates to her 24 million.
“Over the next 10 years, this could change the way customers shop,” Ferrer said.
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For Nicholas of Eleades and his husband, that’s already happening.
“I’m a shopper, so he has to eat what I buy,” Eredeen said. “So it also helps him eat healthy.”
As more people start taking these drugs, a Jefferies Financial Group analysis suggests snack makers like Kellogg, Hershey and Hostess could also be affected. Airlines may also benefit from lower fuel costs if passengers weigh less. Walmart has not commented on the matter.
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