Brandwave

Harvey Nichols vs M&S:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, M&S had more branded searches than Harvey Nichols among department stores in the United Kingdom. M&S had about 5.5 million branded searches, while Harvey Nichols had 135,000. M&S made up 47.3% 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, Harvey Nichols appeared in two of the four answers and M&S in none.

Among department stores in the United Kingdom in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

M&S, about 41 searches for every 1 for Harvey Nichols

M&S 5.5M searchesHarvey Nichols 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Harvey Nichols, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, M&S in 0

Harvey Nichols in 2 of 4M&S in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Harvey Nichols, the only one of the two named

Harvey Nichols first in 2M&S never named

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Top department stores in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one 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. M&S did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Harrods1st
  2. Selfridges2nd
  3. John Lewis3rd
  4. Liberty London4th
  5. Harvey Nichols5th
  6. M&S–
  7. Debenhams–
  8. House of Fraser–

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

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 M&S more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Harvey Nichols and M&S 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.

Harvey Nichols and M&S among department stores in the United Kingdom, by month

Share of searches by month for M&S, Harvey Nichols. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthM&SJohn LewisHarrodsSelfridgesDebenhamsLiberty LondonHouse of FraserHarvey Nichols
Oct 202543.9%24.1%8.8%8.8%8.8%1.8%2.7%1.2%
Nov 202539.9%26.8%8%9.8%9.8%2%2.4%1.3%
Dec 202539.6%24.2%10.9%10.9%8.9%2.2%2.2%1.2%
Jan 202642.4%25.9%7.7%9.4%9.4%1.6%2.3%1.3%
Feb 202644.6%22.3%8.2%10%10%1.6%2%1.3%
Mar 202646.6%23.3%8.5%8.5%8.5%1.7%1.7%1.1%
Apr 202643.7%21.8%9.7%9.7%9.7%2%2%1.3%
May 202645.5%22.7%10.1%8.3%8.3%2%1.7%1.4%
Jun 202639.6%24.2%10.8%10.8%8.8%2.2%1.8%1.8%
Jul 202639.9%24.4%10.9%10.9%8.9%2.2%1.5%1.5%
Aug 202645%22.5%10%10%6.8%2%1.7%2%
Sep 202647.3%23.6%8.6%8.6%7.1%2.1%1.4%1.2%

How has the Harvey Nichols and M&S comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United Kingdom department stores in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, M&S gained share of searches among department stores in the United Kingdom, from 45% to 47.3%.

  2. 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?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Harvey Nichols’ and M&S’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.

Harvey Nichols

1 branded search term

  • harvey nichols

M&S

2 branded search terms

  • m&s
  • marks and spencer

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among department stores

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