January 16 2025

GLP-1 Medications Impact Convenience Store Sales, Especially for High-Profit Items

GLP-1 medications, which are helping millions of people lose weight by curbing their appetites, might not yet be a top concern for convenience store retailers. However, recent findings suggest this could change in the near future.

Originally designed to treat diabetes, these drugs mimic a hormone that slows digestion and induces a feeling of fullness. As a result, GLP-1 users not only eat less but are also moving away from processed foods. This shift has significant implications for convenience stores, as many popular products—such as energy drinks, beef jerky, beer, and candy—are being abandoned by GLP-1 users.

Research from Numerator and Cornell University reveals that individuals on GLP-1s spent 11% less on salty snacks within the first six months of using the medication. Dried meat snacks, which generated over $2 billion in annual sales for c-stores in 2023, saw a 17% decrease in spending from GLP users compared to non-users, according to Circana data. Another Circana report found that while GLP-1 users initially spent more at c-stores than non-users, their convenience store spending dropped by 5.2% in the first year of using the medication.

A year-old forecast predicted that 24 million Americans, or about 7% of the population, would be taking GLP-1s by 2035. However, Circana recently reported that 6% of Americans are already using the drug, with 12% having used it at some point. This growing trend is catching the attention of food manufacturers, grocers, and other companies, prompting convenience store retailers to reconsider their offerings in response to the GLP-1 impact.