John Lewis tops ‘brand health’ list

Sports Direct and Southern Trains have been named among the most improved brands by UK consumers in a ranking topped by John Lewis.

John Lewis and Marks & Spencer came first and third respectively in the annual Yougov “brand health” list, based on consumers’ perceptions of quality, value, satisfaction and reputation.

Bbc-related brands – iplay- er and BBC One – took second and ninth positions while Heinz was voted into fourth place. Ikea and the cheese brand Cathedral City were both new entrants in this year’s top ten, taking fifth and eighth place respectively.

Samsung and Amazon, who also both made the global top ten, took sixth and seventh places, while pharmacy chain Boots took tenth place.

Sports Direct’s score improved by 6.2 points to minus 6.2 – similar to mid- 2016 levels – after a period away from negative headlines on its working practices to make it the most improved brand.

Southern Trains – long blighted by strikes, cancellations and bad media coverage – also saw its score improve, by 4.8 points to minus 11.3.

Fashion chain Primark also made a notable leap in the past year to move from negative to positive brand health with a 3.6-point improvement to take it to a score of 2.7.