Marks & Spencer rides out cyber impact to top ‘best brands’ survey

YouGov’s Brand Index study put Marks & Spencer in the number one position for a fourth consecutive year. M&S’ success was attributed to the retailer’s ” broad-based strength across multiple measures”.

”It has achieved the highest score in the top 10 for impression, quality, reputation, satisfaction and recommend,” YouGov said.

“That strength in depth is a key indicator of long-term brand resilience. The achievement is all the more impressive given that Marks & Spencer suffered a cyber attack in 2025 that left shoppers unable to buy online from the company for months. The fact that the brand was able to withstand the damage from this attack shows just how strong it is in the UK.”

Retailers were prominent in the top 10 brands. Ikea came in at number two and John Lewis at four, while Boots was in ninth place.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “We deeply appreciate being named the UK’s best brand by YouGov for the fourth year in a row. This one means a lot because it’s based on what our customers say about us. 

“Thank you to our colleagues also for their hard work to make the magic happen. This motivates us to be even better. We’re staying positively dissatisfied as we look forward, because we know there is still so much to do, and so much opportunity ahead of us.”