No, Ozempic isn’t going to steal your snack sales

Recent concerns about the impact of weight loss drugs like Ozempic on consumer spending have manifested through typically credible media outlets publishing articles with sensational headlines predicting doom and gloom for the global snack industry. But, as the saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding,” and Grips Intelligence has the data to set the record straight.

At Grips, we specialize in providing reliable, trusted data on e-commerce spending. Our mission is simple: to equip our clients with the facts they need to make informed business decisions, rather than being swayed by clickbait headlines. In that spirit, let’s dive into the data and debunk the myth that Ozempic is going to devour your snack sales.

Contrary to the notion that weight loss drugs would send food sales plummeting, our data tells a different story. We’ve dug into online spending trends in the US food and beverage sector, and the results are truly delicious.

In August and September 2023, Grips found that e-commerce spending on food in the United States surged, boasting a remarkable 15% year-over-year increase which outpaced the e-commerce industry average over the same time. 

If you thought weight loss drugs would put a damper on snacks and sweets, think again. Our data reveals that the Bakery and Snack Food categories gobbled up an additional 18% in revenue each compared to the year prior. In fact, Pies & Tarts (+36%), Fudge (+33%), Fruit Snacks (+29%), Donuts (+27%), Crackers (+23%), Jerky (+21%) and Chips (+20%) were all among some of the fastest growing product categories overall.

Even with millions of Americans already on Ozempic, we are indulging in our favorite treats even more. The numbers don’t lie.

Even if we accept the fact that weight loss drugs will cause some dieters to reduce their food budget–and there’s legitimately good research that supports that–we’re still unlikely to see a large-scale impact on the food industry. 

Take, for example, the fact that millions of Americans set New Year’s Resolutions to eat less every year. Some of them even manage to stick with their plan for more than a few days. Despite this annual trend, grocery stores do just fine in January. Sure, e-commerce spending on groceries is typically down from the calorie-laden festive season, but Grips analyzed years of transactional data for top US grocery sites, including Kroger.com and Safeway.com, and we found that that January revenues are either average and in some cases above average relative to the other months of the year.

If waves of dieters had an impact on food sales, we would expect January to be among the slimmest months of the year. And the data doesn’t support that.

In a world where sensational headlines can often obscure the truth, it’s essential to turn to reliable data sources like Grips Intelligence. Our platform paints a clear picture: weight loss drugs like Ozempic may be making waves, but they’re not causing a decline in snack sales. Americans continue to enjoy their favorite snacks and bakery items, and the numbers prove it.

So, the next time you come across a clickbait-y headline, remember that the facts matter. At Grips Intelligence, we’re dedicated to providing you with the data-driven insights you need to make informed business decisions. Don’t be swayed by myths; trust the data.

Learn how Grips can support your business with fact-based insights ranging from overall industry trends to daily reporting of your competitors’ revenue.

Book a demo with our team today. Your business deserves nothing less than the truth.