Health and Wellness Trends There are, of course, growing health concerns and broader implications of GLP-1 use. Poye raised ques- tions about muscle loss and cycling on and off these drugs, which Frey confirmed are top concerns in the medical community. She noted some compounding pharmacies provide better education for users than those using traditional prescriptions in terms of side effects and things to avoid or alleviate them. Frey indi - cated her team is studying exercise habits alongside diet and may learn more on users’ behaviors. Eva Strasburger , president of StrasGlobal, CEO of Compliance Safe, and Vision Group Network co-founder, asked about serious side effects like stomach paraly - sis and blindness, which Frey acknowledged are real concerns, though some, like hair loss, may stem from rapid weight loss, not the drugs themselves. Strasburger also referenced a projected GDP increase tied to healthi- er consumers reentering the workforce, and Frey agreed there could be long-term economic benefits. In terms of lifestyle and retail implications. Strasburger noted that GLP-1s may disrupt relationships, consumer behavior, and even health systems, citing changes in emotional connections around food, shopping habits, and national healthcare costs.
Donnie Rhoads , director of business development at The Convenience Group, LLC and guest of Don Rhoads, echoed this, noting shifting customer demographics and higher interest in “better for you” products like non-alcoholic beer. He pondered how stores could market these products, perhaps through high-protein signage or GLP-1 specific messaging. Surprised by how significant the trend has become, Plaid Pantry’s CEO Jonathan Polansky said his team may expand their planned wellness section to include broader categories like hair-loss supplements (a side effect of the drug that Frey mentioned during her presentation), which hadn’t been previously considered.
Download these other Vision Reports to read more on GLP-1 implications: GCVG Do You Want Chips With That? , April 2025 CLVG Expecting the Unexpected: Foreseeing Potential Disruptions , November 2024 CLVG Near and Far: Looking at Global Convenience Retailing , August 2024
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