CEF vs Rexel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, CEF had more branded searches than Rexel among electrical wholesalers in the United Kingdom. CEF had about 135,000 branded searches, while Rexel had 3,990. CEF made up 44.6% of all electrical wholesaler searches we track, and Rexel accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about electrical wholesalers, CEF appeared in all four answers and Rexel in three. CEF was mentioned before Rexel in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
CEF, about 34 searches for every 1 for Rexel
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Top electrical wholesalers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, CEF appeared in all four answers. Rexel was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. CEF was listed before Rexel in every answer.
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.
- CEF4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
YESSS Electrical4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Rexel3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
TLC Direct2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Electric Center1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Edmundson Electrical0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about electrical wholesalers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best electrical wholesaler in the UK for a small electrical contractor?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can electricians in the UK buy cable and fittings at trade prices?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which UK electrical wholesalers let you order online and collect the same day?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electrical supplies”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electrical wholesaler”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 28, 2026.
Share of searches by month for CEF, Rexel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | CEF | Edmundson Electrical | TLC Direct | Electric Center | YESSS Electrical | Rexel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 49.4% | 27.1% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 1.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 52% | 23.3% | 10.4% | 7% | 5.7% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 51% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 51.8% | 23.2% | 10.4% | 7% | 5.7% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.5% | 26% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 1.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.7% | 26.7% | 9.8% | 8% | 5.3% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.5% | 29.3% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 43.5% | 29.3% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 1.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.9% | 28.9% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.1% | 29% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.1% | 29% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 1.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.6% | 29.9% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 6% | 1.3% |
How has the CEF and Rexel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- CEF was ahead of Rexel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CEF’s share of searches among electrical wholesalers in the United Kingdom moved from 49.4% to 44.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rexel’s share of searches among electrical wholesalers in the United Kingdom moved from 1.5% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5K to 4K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom electrical wholesalers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, CEF gained share of searches among electrical wholesalers in the United Kingdom, from 43.1% to 44.6%.
Rexel’s share of searches among electrical wholesalers in the United Kingdom has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 1.9% to 1.3% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CEF’s and Rexel’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 electrical wholesalers
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