WeightWatchers backflip on dumping in-person meetings in Australia

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WeightWatchers backflip on dumping in-person meetings in Australia

WeightWatchers has told *********** members it will be keeping in-person meetings after all.

It comes just weeks after the US-headquartered weight-loss megabrand announced that from November 1 *********** members of the program would lose the weekly catch-ups and “coaches” would lose their jobs as it shifted to online-only support.

The same change had been brought in for ********* customers earlier this year.

But after an outcry over the decision, with many members declaring it would spell the “end of WeightWatchers”, it appears the firm has relented when it comes to meetings this side of the Pacific.

***********-based weight-loss “coaches” for the brand were summoned to a Zoom call at the weekend where they were told of the company’s change of heart and have since been spreading the good news to customers.

It is understood only profitable meetings will be retained, but many members have spoken of their joy.

Perth member Anna Van Dyken was among those celebrating.

“It’s amazing to see how the voices of dedicated members made such a powerful impact on WeightWatchers’ decision,” she told The West *********** after seeing the news spreading on the WeightWatchers Connect app today.

“Returning to in-person meetings truly honors the heart of Weightwatchers’ mission — creating those genuine, supportive connections that keep people encouraged and accountable. The experience of standing on the scale in front of someone who cares is irreplaceable, and the community built in those workshops is truly special.”

Camera IconPerth member Anna Van Dyken was among those celebrating the new changes. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times

But she did spell one note of caution.

“I think some members will feel concerned about the lasting effects of this shift,” Ms Van Dyken said. “With some workshops closed and coaches having moved on, it may take time to rebuild the same close-knit atmosphere and have ****** in the company again.

“I’ve always had belief in the good that WeightWatchers brings to people’s lives, especially mine, and how valuable the community aspect is, and hopefully, it will inspire members to perhaps find their way back, but it’s been an emotional rollercoaster, which has left us feeling let down.”

The question ******** as to whether the retention of meetings will be enough to save WeightWatchers, which by any measure has been struggling for some time.

In 2015, US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey purchased a 10 per cent stake in the brand, and with her support, its star steadily rose and in 2018 hit a share price high of just over $US100, giving it a market capitalisation of $US9 billion.

However, by the start of 2022, that had plunged to just $US4 a share as “Hollywood” weight-loss super-***** Ozempic became commonplace.

Camera IconIt is understood only profitable meetings will be retained, but many members have spoken of their joy. 

Credit: Laura Newell and Anna Van Dyken

The hits kept on coming when, in December 2023, Winfrey suddenly revealed she herself used one of the new breed of weight-loss drugs, sending shockwaves through the diet industry.

She would follow up her admission with a TV special on shedding the “shame” when it came to the use of such medications, almost simultaneously announcing she was gifting her stake in the company to charity and exiting the board.

Just as Oprah was leaving the fold, WeightWatchers announced it was to purchase US telehealth provider Sequence.

Offering access to drugs including Ozempic, WeGovy and Trulicity, Sequence cost WeightWatchers $US106m. But while the announcement gave WeightWatchers’ share price a bump, the sugar high didn’t last.

Earlier this month, the firm made a further move, announcing it would be offering compounded semaglutide to members — or as it is often described, off-brand Ozempic.

The company said the move was “expanding the accessibility and affordability of weight loss medications”, reacting to long-term, widespread shortages of branded products.

Camera IconBuying a 10 per cent stake worth $43.2million and joining the board, Oprah Winfrey got to work pumping star quality into the company’s marketing efforts.  Credit: Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Warner Bros.

It also said the compounded versions can be offered at a significantly reduced price, particularly catering to those in the US whose insurance companies have refused to foot bills for high-cost branded products.

But the announcement attracted a fair amount of negative feedback, with the FDA “concerned” over unapproved versions of semaglutide.

In Australia, the company is yet to dip a toe into the field of online-weight loss medication subscriptions. But if they do they will encounter stiff competition from the likes of local incumbent Juniper.

And they might want to pay careful attention to the fortunes of that Woolworths-backed offering, given it was supplying compound semaglutide to patients here last year.

Juniper turned to compounding, using a loophole in TGA rules, while Australia struggled to secure regular supplies of Ozempic and WeGovy, losing out to larger markets like the US.

But while their patients loved it, the TGA didn’t. Within months the loophole was closed, forcing Juniper back to the branded alternatives and facing significant price rises for their members — from $285 a month for 1mg of compounded semaglutide to $449 for the same dose of WeGovy.

On the market, the company’s share price has struggled to regain any form of momentum since Winfrey’s departure and, despite hopping on the GLP1 bandwagon, by last month it had a valuation of just $US127 million — a fraction of its former glory.

WeightWatchers have been approached for comment.

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