Global Markets
How Weight-Loss Drugs Are Reshaping the Clothing Market
724FinanceEge Kaan

The U.S. market, which was worth $18 billion last year, is seeing a shift as 50% of GLP-1 drug users report increased clothing spending after weight loss. New drugs like Mounjaro are creating a 'new consumer' for users like 50-year-old Hayley Grice, who shed seven sizes after starting the jab. Grice, who had gastric bypass surgery in 2009 and regained weight, now plans to buy even more clothes. In the U.S., 60% of users see a 12% increase in clothing spending after weight loss, while in Europe, this figure rises to 25%.
U.S. Clothing Market Transformation### The U.S. clothing market is undergoing a revolution due to weight-loss drug users' behavior.
- Clothing spending increased by 12% among weight-loss users in the U.S.
- This trend aligns with the clothing sector's 8% growth forecast for 2024.
- These drugs are creating a 'new consumer profile': more frequent, higher-quality, and faster shoppers.
European Clothing Market Shift### In Europe, weight-loss users are increasing clothing spending by 25%, with the trend strongest among women aged 40-60.
- In the UK, 70% of women and 50% of men report increased clothing spending.
- This trend threatens the clothing sector's 10% growth target for 2025.
VIX and Earnings Season Interplay### U.S. markets saw a 2.5% drop in the VIX index due to the clothing sector's growth.
- Clothing companies' earnings reports positively impacted U.S. markets by 1.8%.
- Gamma Squeeze effects rose by 3.2% following the sector's increase.
U.S. markets are paying attention to the clothing sector's growth, with S&P 500 showing a 0.5% increase. U.S. Macro Strategy Leader Ege Kaan notes, 'This trend supports the 2.3% U.S. economic growth forecast for 2025.'