Haleon plc (NYSE:HLN) is finding a new growth opportunity in the expanding U.S. population using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound. According to Reuters, the company has been placing products that can address GLP-1-related side effects in both its normal store locations and dedicated GLP-1 sections at CVS. That strategy has produced an average 24% increase in sales per store, while Haleon now occupies the majority of GLP-1-related shelf space at CVS. Reuters also reported that about 11% of Americans use GLP-1 drugs, creating a sizeable consumer base for Haleon’s over-the-counter products.
The timing is important because North America has been recovering for Haleon. In the first half of 2026, North American organic revenue growth reached 3.1% in Q2, up from 1.0% in Q1, with Haleon attributing the improvement to growth initiatives and execution. Advil also gained market share in a declining market, while Pain Relief posted mid-single-digit organic growth in Q2.
Haleon Could Turn GLP-1 Side Effects Into a New Growth Driver
The GLP-1 strategy could give Haleon an incremental growth channel in a U.S. market that had previously been a weak spot. North America generated £3.87 billion of revenue in 2025 but recorded a 0.4% organic decline, while Haleon plc (NYSE:HLN) said Advil was flat for the year despite improving U.S. trends. The 24% per-store sales increase reported by Reuters suggests that targeted merchandising could turn a previously broad consumer-health opportunity into measurable incremental demand.
The opportunity could also extend beyond Advil. GLP-1 drugs are associated with gastrointestinal side effects, potentially supporting demand for products across Haleon’s Digestive Health portfolio. Tums and Benefiber already contributed to growth in the category in 2025, while Haleon reported that Pain Relief generated 2.3% organic growth for the year. If the company can secure similar shelf positioning at Walmart and Target, as Reuters reports it is discussing, the strategy could broaden distribution and improve the productivity of its U.S. portfolio.
GLP-1 Tailwinds May Not Be Enough to Lift Haleon’s Overall Growth
The biggest risk is that GLP-1-related demand may not be large enough to materially change Haleon plc (NYSE:HLN)’s overall growth trajectory. Although Reuters cited approximately 11% U.S. GLP-1 usage, the reported 24% sales uplift is measured at stores using the merchandising strategy, not across Haleon’s entire U.S. business. The company therefore still needs broader adoption across retailers and products before the opportunity can translate into significant group-level revenue growth.
There is also a risk that Haleon becomes too dependent on a consumer trend whose impact on OTC categories is still developing. North America accounted for roughly 35% of Haleon’s 2025 revenue, making the region strategically important, but its full-year organic growth was negative. Even after the recovery, Haleon’s H1 2026 organic revenue growth was only 2.6%, below its 4%-6% medium-term target, although management maintained its 2026 guidance of 3%-5%.
Conclusion
The GLP-1 strategy gives Haleon plc (NYSE:HLN) a tangible way to capture new OTC demand while strengthening Advil and other brands in the U.S. The 24% per-store sales increase and improving North American performance provide early evidence that targeted placement can work. Still, the opportunity remains relatively narrow compared with Haleon’s £11 billion-plus global revenue base, and the company must demonstrate that the gains can scale beyond selected CVS stores. For Haleon, the development is therefore most significant as a potential contributor to restoring sustained North American growth rather than as a standalone earnings driver.
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This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
