Coles has confirmed GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic are impacting sales at its supermarkets and liquor stores.

CEO Leah Weckert told the Macquarie Australia Conference that about 2% of Australians were currently injecting GLP-1 drugs. And, with a pill format on its way, that percentage was expected to increase.

GLP-1 users generally drink less alcohol, with Coles Liquor experiencing a decline in bottle-shop revenue in the March quarter. Sales hit $781 million, down from $813 million a year earlier.

“One of the big factors which is contributing to the liquor market in the US is the number of people that are taking a GLP-1 drug, which does impact how much liquor you tend to consume,” Wekert said.

“We look at this as actually a real opportunity and what we are leaning into is how do we re-energise our offer and our range to take advantage of that shift in customer behaviour.”

Wekert said sales of mid-strength beers and zero-sugar ready-to-drink options were growing.

“Our research says that actually a number of occasions that consumers are having beverages with a meal is actually increasing and so that’s a big opportunity,” she said. “We just got to have the right beverages to sell them.”

GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro suppress users’ appetites and make them feel full after eating smaller portions. As a result, users are turning to compact, higher-protein offerings to ensure they maintain their nutrient intake.

Coles is tailoring home brand products to target the growing number of shoppers taking these drugs.

“What [shoppers] are really looking for is help from the supermarket to make it much easier to prepare these meals that are nutritionally balanced and still get the impact of those essential nutrients that they need,” said Weckert.

“We think that’s an opportunity for our home brand.”

How Ozempic is reshaping consumer behaviour