Brandwave

Matalan vs TK Maxx:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, TK Maxx had more branded searches than Matalan among clothing shops in the United Kingdom. TK Maxx had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Matalan had 1.8 million. TK Maxx made up 17.8% of all clothing shop searches we track, and Matalan accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about clothing shops, TK Maxx appeared in one of the three answers and Matalan in none.

Among clothing shops in the United Kingdom in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

TK Maxx, about 2 searches for every 1 for Matalan

TK Maxx 4.1M searchesMatalan 1.8M searches

Who does AI mention more?

TK Maxx, mentioned in 1 of 3 answers, Matalan in 0

TK Maxx in 1 of 3Matalan in 0 of 3

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Top clothing shops in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, TK Maxx was mentioned in one out of three: in one 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.

  1. Primark1st
  2. Uniqlo2nd
  3. M&S3rd
  4. Next4th
  5. George5th
  6. TK Maxx6th
  7. H&M7th
  8. Zara8th
  9. Matalan–
  10. New Look–
  11. +5 more

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

+5 more

See every answer about clothing shops

3 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Where's the best place to buy cheap clothes in the UK?”

    1. 1Primark
    2. 2TK Maxx
    3. 3George
    4. 4Uniqlo
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which high street shop has the best quality basics?”

    1. 1Uniqlo
    2. 2M&S
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Where should I buy kids' clothes in the UK?”

    1. 1Next
    2. 2Primark
    3. 3M&S
    4. 4H&M
    5. 5George
    6. 6Zara
  • 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 TK Maxx more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Matalan and TK Maxx 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.

Matalan and TK Maxx among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, by month

Share of searches by month for TK Maxx, Matalan. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPrimarkTK MaxxNextH&MMatalanZaraNew LookRiver IslandUniqloTuPeacocksF&FM&SGeorgeMango
Oct 202524.9%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 202522%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 202522.6%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 202621.3%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 202623.6%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 202624.4%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 202623.9%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 202621.8%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 202623.2%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 202623.5%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 202626.1%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 202626.7%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 TK Maxx comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • TK Maxx 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, TK Maxx’s share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom moved from 16.6% to 17.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.1M.

How did search popularity change for United Kingdom clothing shops in September 2026?

3 changes
  1. In September 2026, Next overtook Matalan to rank 3rd among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, with 10.2% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Matalan lost share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, from 9.6% to 8%.

  3. TK Maxx’s share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 15.5% to 17.8% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Matalan’s and TK Maxx’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.

Matalan

1 branded search term

  • matalan

TK Maxx

1 branded search term

  • tk maxx

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among clothing shops

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