* More than two-thirds of GLP-1 users are more likely to

shop in-store, survey shows

* Retailers may find more shoppers need more in-store advice

* David's Bridal CEO says people are trying on more dresses

recently due to GLP-1 use

By Danielle Kaye

NEW YORK, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Nora Nye, 58, is refreshing her

wardrobe as she sizes down for the first time in over three

decades after losing 80 pounds on weight-loss drug Mounjaro.

Earlier this year, the Denver bankruptcy lawyer walked into a

Macy's and found herself overwhelmed.

"Retailers are going to have to be ready for an influx of

people getting into those sizes, but also needing help with it

because we just don't know where to go," said Nye, who started

taking the drug 19 months ago after a diabetes diagnosis.

About 11% of Americans are on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs,

according to Gallup. With changed bodies, many are inclined to

try on clothes in person to figure out what styles fit their new

size, shoppers told Reuters.

More than two-thirds of consumers using GLP-1s say sizing

changes have made them more likely to shop in-store, according

to a survey of 500 people from ReturnPro, which helps retailers

manage returns.

That presents a new - or old - challenge for retailers, who are

starting to reevaluate their brick-and-mortar strategies to meet

those expectations, analysts said.

"It has the potential to at least slow the flight to purely

online," said Don Johnson, a consumer strategist at

EY-Parthenon. "You have to be more thoughtful about the in-store

experience."

Kelly Cook, CEO of wedding fashion company David's Bridal, said

weight-loss drugs are having an effect on how people shop at its

roughly 200 stores. Over the last six months, she said shoppers

have been trying on twice as many dresses on average, sometimes

up to 10 styles.

Because of these medications, department stores, discount

chains and boutiques are evaluating the sizes they carry, their

dressing room set-ups and styling services, said Ali Furman,

PwC's consumer markets industry leader. In-store investments are

likely to be implemented within the next year, she said.

Discount retailer Ross Stores ( ROST ) posted a 17% increase

in first-quarter comparable-store sales, which Ross CEO Jim

Conroy in May attributed to more foot traffic and an "improved

in-store experience," though the company did not specifically

mention weight-loss drugs.

Ross did not respond to a request for comment. Macy's

declined comment.

FINDING THE RIGHT SIZES

Amber Volkin, 43, who sells clothes through online platform

Whatnot and at her home in Austin, Texas, started organizing

private styling appointments to help customers in various stages

of weight loss who were struggling to shop.

"I had credibility, and I think that's what people don't

have in retail stores right now," said Volkin, who spent 25

years in retail and has also been on GLP-1 medication. "If you

want to bring people back to stores and give them a reason to

pay a higher price for something, then you need to give them the

service that goes with it."

Of the hundreds who have shopped at her business over the

past two years, roughly three-quarters have mentioned GLP-1

weight loss, she said.

Artificial intelligence tools are coming into play as

retailers seek to address sizing inconsistency. Victoria's

Secret, for example, incorporated AI technology into

some of its fitting rooms to help shoppers request different

sizes. The lingerie retailer declined to comment.

Ami DeWille, who leads marketing at ReturnPro, said stores

will have to address the need for more personalized service. "It

could be AI, it could be a person who is really good at sizing,"

she said.

STABILIZE, THEN SHOP

Once GLP-1 users see their weight stabilize, they are more

likely to buy pricier clothing. Among premium spenders surveyed

by ReturnPro, 91% said they are more likely to shop in-store,

compared to 69% of all GLP-1 users.

Wendy Fossum and John White lost 60 and 120 pounds on

weight-loss drugs, respectively. The married couple, both 41,

are scouting stores in Minneapolis for affordable clothes.

Fossum said once her weight settles, she plans on shopping

more at Macy's and local boutiques to rebuild her

wardrobe.

"I see myself doing more in-person shopping," said Fossum, a

librarian at a law firm.

Now that his weight has settled, White says he's looking to

buy a new suit in-store for the couple's upcoming anniversary

trip to Las Vegas.

"It opens a lot of opportunities for where I can get my

clothes," he said.