Matalan vs Primark:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Primark had more branded searches than Matalan among clothing shops in the United Kingdom. Primark had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Matalan had 1.8 million. Primark made up 26.7% of all clothing shop searches we track, and Matalan accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about clothing shops, Primark appeared in two of the three answers and Matalan in none.
Who do people search for more?
Primark, about 3 searches for every 1 for Matalan
Who does AI mention more?
Primark, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Matalan in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Primark, the only one of the two named
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Top clothing shops in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Primark was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Matalan did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Primark2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Uniqlo2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
M&S2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
George2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
TK Maxx1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Next1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
H&M1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Zara1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Matalan0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
New Look0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about clothing shops
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where's the best place to buy cheap clothes in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which high street shop has the best quality basics?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy kids' clothes in the UK?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“clothes shops”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 27, 2026.
Is Matalan or Primark more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Matalan and Primark by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 clothing shops we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Primark, Matalan. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Primark | TK Maxx | Next | H&M | Matalan | Zara | New Look | River Island | Uniqlo | Tu | Peacocks | F&F | M&S | George | Mango |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.9% | 16.6% | 6.5% | 7.4% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 0.82% | 0.55% | 0.65% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 22% | 17.9% | 7% | 8% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 3% | 0.88% | 0.59% | 0.66% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 22.6% | 18.5% | 7.2% | 6.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 0.61% | 0.5% | 0.59% | 0.05% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.3% | 17.4% | 8.3% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 2.9% | 2.3% | 0.7% | 0.57% | 0.64% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.6% | 19.3% | 7.5% | 7% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 0.63% | 0.52% | 0.76% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 7.8% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 0.8% | 0.66% | 0.68% | 0.07% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.9% | 16% | 7.6% | 7.2% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 0.79% | 0.53% | 0.67% | 0.09% |
| May 2026 | 21.8% | 17.9% | 6.9% | 8% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 8% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.88% | 0.59% | 0.74% | 0.08% |
| Jun 2026 | 23.2% | 15.5% | 8.9% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 7% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.76% | 0.63% | 0.65% | 0.08% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.5% | 15.7% | 9% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.77% | 0.77% | 0.66% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 26.1% | 17.5% | 8.2% | 7.8% | 9.6% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.86% | 0.7% | 0.68% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.7% | 17.8% | 10.2% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2% | 0.88% | 0.72% | 0.7% | 0.06% |
How has the Matalan and Primark comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Primark was ahead of Matalan in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Matalan’s share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom moved from 9.1% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 1.8M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Primark’s share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom moved from 24.9% to 26.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 6.1M.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom clothing shops in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Next overtook Matalan to rank 3rd among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, with 10.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Primark gained share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, from 26.1% to 26.7%.
In September 2026, Matalan lost share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, from 9.6% to 8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Matalan’s and Primark’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among clothing shops
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