Ikea is the U.K.'s No. 1 Retailer

“Ikea’s move from second place last year to top the polls in 2012 reflects the strength of its offer at a time when consumers are cutting back on spending on the home,” says Maureen Hinton, practice leader, Verdict. “It has an extensive, stylish range at attractive prices and with the majority of consumers on a tight budget, it has something for everyone wanting to brighten up their home.”

When broken down by retail sector, Bonmarche is a favorite for clothing, Wilkinson for DIY, Asda for footwear, Waitrose for food and grocery, Play.com for entertainment, Asda for personal care, Ikea for homewares and John Lewis for electronics. According to Verdict, favorite U.K. retailers when looking at consumer satisfaction are as follows: Pricemark is the winning retailer for price, Schuh for

“Value remains top of mind for consumers this year,” says Hinton. “But this is reflected not only in seeking low prices, but in prioritizing quality, service and range. Consumers have higher expectations from their preferred retailer and seek a shopping experience that ticks all the boxes.”