The latest rankings for the top brands in the United Kingdom have been unveiled, with retail giant Marks and Spencer securing the leading position. Marks and Spencer, commonly known as M&S, has been recognized as the most powerful brand in the UK according to the YouGov BrandIndex tool. This tool evaluates various factors such as overall impression, quality, value, satisfaction, recommendation, and reputation over the past year.
Despite facing a cyber attack in 2025 that disrupted online shopping capabilities for months, M&S managed to clinch the top spot. Following closely behind in the top five are IKEA, Samsung, John Lewis, and Netflix.
In terms of brand improvement, the Post Office emerged as the most improved brand, attributed to increased satisfaction levels and enhanced public perception post the Horizon IT scandal. The second and third spots for most improved brands were secured by Royal Mail and Fujitsu, respectively.
On a global scale, WhatsApp claimed the top spot in the best brand rankings, driven by its strong performance in markets like India and Indonesia. Samsung, YouTube, and Google followed closely behind in the global rankings.
YouGov’s CEO and Co-founder, Stephan Shakespeare, emphasized the importance of brands that not only perform well but also establish meaningful connections with consumers. The Best Brand Rankings reflect companies that have sustained consumer appeal over the past year, based on extensive research across 28 markets.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, M&S CEO Stuart Machin highlighted the significance of customer feedback in shaping the brand’s success. He acknowledged the collective effort of M&S employees in delivering exceptional experiences and voiced a commitment to continuous improvement.
Looking ahead, Machin emphasized a mindset of being “positively dissatisfied,” acknowledging the ongoing opportunities for growth and enhancement. The company remains focused on evolving and capitalizing on future prospects to further solidify its position in the market.