GLP-1-related returns leave retailers reeling

As countless “look at my old pants” weight loss ads have shown us, when people start shedding pounds, they also shed their old wardrobes in favor of clothes that fit their new figures (not everything can be used as a sleep shirt).That closet overhaul has been happening a lot lately, due, in part, to the rise of GLP-1 drugs. And since building a new wardrobe can take some trial and error, retailers are increasingly getting swamped with costly returns:For the last three years, there’s been an increase in apparel exchanges due to shoppers sizing down, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing return management company Narvar.Between 2020 and 2025, the total value of merchandise returns doubled, per Capital One Shopping research.Downsizing downsides: While ’80s-movie-style shopping sprees are good for retailers, returns chip away at those profits. Items can’t always be resold at the same price, and stores often have to cover the additional shipping and labor costs. That’s all compounded by customers increasingly ordering multiple sizes of the same item, then sending back the ones that don’t fit.Clothes encounters: The impact of weight loss drugs is showing up across the retail industry. Macy’s said this week it’s selling less plus-size clothing. Victoria’s Secret said it’s selling smaller-sized bras and underwear. And brides are waiting longer to buy wedding dresses closer to their big day, often due to GLP-1-aided weight loss, per the WSJ.—BC