Brandwave

How popular isLee?

In September 2026, people searched for Lee by name about 320 times in New Zealand, a 17.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.11% of all New Zealand cargo pants brand searches, placing Lee sixth out of seven brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo pants brands, Lee did not appear in any of the answers.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Lee is the sixth most searched of 7 competitors and not listed in any AI answer.

  1. Cotton OnShare of searches 69.4%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. KathmanduShare of searches 20.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. I Love UglyShare of searches 8%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. Levi'sShare of searches 1.1%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. LeeShare of searches 0.11%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –

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Top cargo pants brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lee did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Dickies1st
  2. Kathmandu2nd
  3. I Love Ugly3rd
  4. Cotton On4th
  5. Hard Yakka5th
  6. Levi's–
  7. Lee–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Kathmandu4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Cotton On3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • I Love Ugly3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Dickies3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Hard Yakka2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Levi's0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Lee0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about cargo pants brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Which cargo pants brands compete with Lee?

Lee against cargo pants brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Cotton On, Kathmandu, I Love Ugly, Lee. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCotton OnKathmanduI Love UglyLevi'sHard YakkaLeeDickies
Oct 202569.2%20.7%8%1.1%0.77%0.14%0.01%
Nov 202565.3%19.5%14%0.67%0.46%0.09%<0.01%
Dec 202568.8%22%8.2%0.56%0.38%0.06%<0.01%
Jan 202666.5%25.6%6.3%0.78%0.72%0.11%<0.01%
Feb 202669.9%21.7%6.7%0.84%0.76%0.14%0.01%
Mar 202669.1%21.1%8.2%0.89%0.65%0.12%<0.01%
Apr 202667%24.9%6.5%0.76%0.69%0.11%<0.01%
May 202668.4%21.6%8.1%0.94%0.77%0.14%<0.01%
Jun 202661%28.1%8.8%0.97%0.94%0.16%<0.01%
Jul 202661.9%28.9%7.3%0.86%0.86%0.16%<0.01%
Aug 202662.3%22.6%13.1%1%0.74%0.16%<0.01%
Sep 202669.4%20.7%8%1.1%0.75%0.11%0.01%

  1. 1.Cotton On

    69.4%

    Held 1st. 193K estimated branded searches, +0.24% vs prior month. Share +7.1 points.

  2. 2.Kathmandu

    20.7%

    Held 2nd. 57.6K estimated branded searches, -17.6% vs prior month. Share -1.9 points.

  3. 3.I Love Ugly

    8%

    Held 3rd. 22.3K estimated branded searches, -45.2% vs prior month. Share -5.1 points.

  4. 4.Levi's

    1.1%

    Held 4th. 3K estimated branded searches, -6.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  5. 5.Hard Yakka

    0.75%

    Held 5th. 2.1K estimated branded searches, -9.6% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.Lee

    0.11%

    Held 6th. 320 estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Dickies

    0.01%

    Held 7th. 40 estimated branded searches, +33.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Lee and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Lee

15 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Lee changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Lee in New Zealand fell from 390 to 320.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lee’s share of searches among cargo pants brands in New Zealand held steady, from 0.14% to 0.11%.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand cargo pants brands in September 2026?

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, Cotton On gained share of searches among cargo pants brands in New Zealand, from 62.3% to 69.4%.

  2. In September 2026, I Love Ugly lost share of searches among cargo pants brands in New Zealand, from 13.1% to 8%.

  3. In September 2026, Kathmandu lost share of searches among cargo pants brands in New Zealand, from 22.6% to 20.7%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Lee in New Zealand fell 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 320 in September 2026.

How are Lee’s branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lee’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • lee jeans

Do you work for Lee? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Lee compete?

Lee is ranked in three competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Cargo shorts brands8th of 100.09%Show ranking
Cargo pants brands6th of 70.11%Shown above
Denim brands8th of 82.3%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Lee your brand?

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