Harvey Nichols vs John Lewis:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, John Lewis had more branded searches than Harvey Nichols among department stores in the United Kingdom. John Lewis had about 2.7 million branded searches, while Harvey Nichols had 135,000. John Lewis made up 23.6% of all department store searches we track, and Harvey Nichols accounted for 1.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about department stores, John Lewis appeared in three of the four answers and Harvey Nichols in two. John Lewis was mentioned before Harvey Nichols in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
John Lewis, about 20 searches for every 1 for Harvey Nichols
Who does AI mention more?
John Lewis, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Harvey Nichols in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
John Lewis, named ahead of Harvey Nichols in 2 of 3 answers
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Top department stores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, John Lewis was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Harvey Nichols was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. John Lewis was listed before Harvey Nichols in two out of 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.
Harrods4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Selfridges4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- John Lewis3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Liberty London3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Harvey Nichols2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
M&S0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Debenhams0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
House of Fraser0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about department stores
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which department store should I shop at in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best department stores in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best UK department store for designer brands?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“department store”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“department stores near me”
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 22, 2026.
Is Harvey Nichols or John Lewis more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Harvey Nichols and John Lewis by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight department stores we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for John Lewis, Harvey Nichols. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | M&S | John Lewis | Harrods | Selfridges | Debenhams | Liberty London | House of Fraser | Harvey Nichols |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 43.9% | 24.1% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.9% | 26.8% | 8% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 2% | 2.4% | 1.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 39.6% | 24.2% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.4% | 25.9% | 7.7% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.6% | 22.3% | 8.2% | 10% | 10% | 1.6% | 2% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.6% | 23.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.7% | 21.8% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 2% | 2% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 45.5% | 22.7% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.6% | 24.2% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.9% | 24.4% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 45% | 22.5% | 10% | 10% | 6.8% | 2% | 1.7% | 2% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.3% | 23.6% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
How has the Harvey Nichols and John Lewis comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- John Lewis was ahead of Harvey Nichols in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Harvey Nichols’ share of searches among department stores in the United Kingdom held steady at 1.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, John Lewis’ share of searches among department stores in the United Kingdom moved from 24.1% to 23.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 2.7M.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom department stores in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, John Lewis gained share of searches among department stores in the United Kingdom, from 22.5% to 23.6%.
In September 2026, Harvey Nichols lost share of searches among department stores in the United Kingdom, from 2% to 1.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Harvey Nichols’ and John Lewis’ 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.
Harvey Nichols
1 branded search term
- harvey nichols
John Lewis
1 branded search term
- john lewis
Other head-to-heads among department stores
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