The top 20 retailers according to UK consumers
Data from global professional services firm OC&C Strategy Consultants has revealed that M&S Simply Food is now UK consumers’ preferred retailer. The company fought off a major challenge from e-commerce giant Amazon and department store John Lewis to take the title.
Since the global financial crisis, the British high street has taken a continuous battering – with retailers Woolworths, media stores Zaavi and HMV, and electrical goods providers Comet and Maplin among the high-profile casualties of the economic turbulence that began with 2007’s infamous credit crunch. At the same time, bricks-and-mortar incumbents of the market have come under increasing pressure from e-commerce players, who have rapidly eaten into their market share.
A number of retailers continue to outperform the market however, thanks to their ability to provide a differentiated customer experience, appealing products and services and in-demand marketing efforts.
According to data sourced from research by OC&C Strategy Consultants, M&S Simply Food is UK’s favourite retailer, regaining its crown from two years ago. M&S Simply Food's improved standing with consumers has been built on reinforcing its leading quality rating, tailoring its offers to win on targeted missions, and engineering a significant boost in price perception over the last 12 months
The grocer subsequently out-performed e-commerce giant Amazon and fellow brick-and-mortar chain John Lewis to leapfrog back into number-one spot, having also finished top of the pile in 2017. Amazon, which finished behind M&S Food and John Lewis in third place, previously took the top ranking in the survey for six consecutive years between 2011 and 2016.
The UK’s 20 favourite retailers:
1. M&S Simply Food
Retail segment: Grocery
Founded: 2001
2. John Lewis
Retail segment: Department store
Founded: 1864
3. Amazon
Retail segment: Online
Founded: 1994
4. Lush
Retail segment: Health & Beauty
Founded: 1995
5. Marks & Spencer
Retail segment: Clothing & Footwear
Founded: 1884
6. IKEA
Retail segment: Furniture
Founded: 1943
7. Aldi
Retail segment: Grocery
Founded: 1946
8. Boots
Retail segment: Health & Beauty
Founded: 1849
9. Home Bargains
Retail segment: General Merchandiser
Founded: 1976
10. Wilko
Retail segment: Department Stores
Founded: 1930
11. Waterstones
Retail segment: Entertainment
Founded: 1958
12. Lakeland
Retail segment: Cookware, Cleaning & Laundry
Founded: 1956
13. Waitrose
Retail segment: Grocery
Founded: 1904
14. Apple
Retail segment: Electricals
Founded: 1976
15. Smyths Toy Superstore
Retail segment: Toys
Founded: 1986
16. Iceland
Retail segment: Grocery
Founded: 1970
17. Pets at Home
Retail segment: Products for pets
Founded: 1991
18. Next
Retail segment: Clothing & Footwear
Founded: 1864
19. Clarks
Retail segment: Clothing & Footwear
Founded: 1825
20. Superdrug
Retail segment: Health & Beauty
Founded: 1964
