Brandwave

Next vs Primark:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Primark had more branded searches than Next among clothing shops in the United Kingdom. Primark had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Next had 2.3 million. Primark made up 26.7% of all clothing shop searches we track, and Next accounted for 10.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about clothing shops, Primark appeared in two of the three answers and Next in one. Next and Primark were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.

Among clothing shops in the United Kingdom in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Primark, about 3 searches for every 1 for Next

Primark 6.1M searchesNext 2.3M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Primark, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Next in 1

Primark in 2 of 3Next in 1 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.

Next first in 1Primark first in 1

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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. Next was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Next and Primark were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.

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 Next or Primark more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Next 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.

Next and Primark among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, by month

Share of searches by month for Primark, Next. 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 Next and Primark comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Primark was ahead of Next in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Next’s share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom moved from 6.5% to 10.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.6M to 2.3M.
  • 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?

2 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, Primark gained share of searches among clothing shops in the United Kingdom, from 26.1% to 26.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Next’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.

Next

3 branded search terms

  • next clothing
  • next online
  • next uk

Primark

1 branded search term

  • primark

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among clothing shops

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