UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 › Currys
#96 of 100 – Retail & E-Commerce

Currys

British specialist electricals retailer, also operating Elkjøp in the Nordics, selling technology online and in stores with repair and credit services.

By Abhimanyu Ghosh, Chairman, WCRC, with the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit · November 2026

Provisional score
WCRC UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 badge: Currys #96
Power Score60.44out of 100
UK rank#96 of 100
HeadquartersLondon, England
Founded1884
Latest revenue£9.2bn revenue
Global rankOutside top 100

Currys in brief

  • Rank: #96 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #12 of 13 in Retail & E-Commerce.
  • WCRC Power Score: 60.44 out of 100.
  • Founded: 1884, by Henry Curry.
  • Owner: Currys plc, London, England.
  • Leadership: Fredrik Tønnesen, Group Chief Executive.
  • Latest revenue: £9.2bn revenue (FY2026, year to May 2026, +6.0%), group revenue of Currys plc, as per company filings.

What makes Currys powerful

Currys is the UK's main specialist electricals retailer, combining large stores, a strong website and services that online-only rivals struggle to match, from installation and repairs to credit and mobile contracts. In the year to 2 May 2026 group revenue rose 6% to £9.25bn and adjusted pre-tax profit increased 18% to £191m.

The group's Nordic business, Elkjøp, adds scale with sales of £3.8bn, while UK and Ireland sales grew 3% to £5.4bn. Demand for AI-enabled laptops, phones and smart home products supports the category, and Currys' expertise helps customers navigate complex purchases. A doubled dividend reflects improved cash generation after several years of rebuilding the business.

Currys' adjusted pre-tax profit rose 18% to £191m in the year to May 2026.

Why Currys ranks #96

Currys ranks 96th with a WCRC Power Score of 60.44, between Colman's above and Balfour Beatty below. Positioning and recall (62) and digital and financial strength (62) lift it most, reflecting the UK's main specialist electricals name and an 18% rise in adjusted profit. Trust (60) and product and innovation (60) are modest, and sustainability and governance (58) holds it back in a market where Amazon and others compete hard on price.

The Achilles' heel

Electricals spending is cyclical and depends on consumer confidence, and margins are thin. Currys faces fierce competition from Amazon, supermarkets and manufacturers selling direct. Its UK and Ireland sales grew only 3% in 2025/26, slower than the Nordics. A change of chief executive also brings a period of transition after Alex Baldock's long tenure.

The 2026 story

In July 2026 Currys reported revenue up 6% to £9.25bn and adjusted pre-tax profit up 18% to £191m for the year to 2 May 2026, with a doubled dividend. UK and Ireland sales rose 3%. Fredrik Tønnesen, head of its Nordic business, succeeded Alex Baldock as group chief executive after Baldock left to join Boots.

Pillar profile

Brand Positioning & Recall (28%)
62
Consumer Trust & Sentiment (26%)
60
Product, Innovation & Delivery (20%)
60
Sustainability, Governance & ESG (16%)
58
Digital Presence & Financial Soundness (10%)
62

Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.

Versus its nearest rivals

94ASOSTechnology · 60.4895Colman'sConsumer · 60.4496CurrysRetail · 60.4497Balfour BeattyAerospace · 60.0498AsdaRetail · 59.80

Questions people ask

What rank is Currys in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?

Currys ranks #96 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 60.44 out of 100.

What makes Currys powerful?

Scale in UK and Nordic electricals plus services such as repairs, credit and mobile give it an edge over pure online sellers.

What is Currys's revenue?

£9.2bn revenue (FY2026, year to May 2026, +6.0%), group revenue of Currys plc, as per company filings.

Who founded and owns Currys?

Currys was founded in 1884 by Henry Curry. It is owned by Currys plc and based in London, England.

Who leads Currys?

Fredrik Tønnesen, Group Chief Executive.

What is Currys's biggest challenge?

Electricals demand is cyclical and price competition from Amazon and other online rivals is intense.

Also featured in

Key facts

BrandCurrys
Company / ownerCurrys plc
HeadquartersLondon, England, United Kingdom
Founded1884
Founder(s)Henry Curry
LeadershipFredrik Tønnesen, Group Chief Executive
Latest revenue£9.2bn revenue (FY2026, year to May 2026, +6.0%), group revenue of Currys plc, as per company filings
SectorRetail & E-Commerce
Websitecurrys.co.uk
Home countryUnited Kingdom

Sources

  • Revenue figure published by Currys plc
  • Company website, official announcements and press releases
  • Published interviews and statements by the leadership
  • WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
Want the full picture? For the detailed methodology, a brand's full assessment report, or the parameters behind a score, contact the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit at consulting@wcrcint.com.
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Disclaimer
  1. Who was considered. Only brands whose owners publish financial results were considered. Brands that do not publish their financials have not been assessed or ranked. Not being on this list says nothing about a brand's quality.
  2. Eligibility. Ranked brands generally qualify through UK founding or an owner headquartered in the UK for more than 30 years, together with current UK ownership and control. Dove and Formula 1 are included as classification exceptions. WCRC carries forward the British classification assigned to each in its global 2026 ranking. This classification does not establish that either brand meets the standard UK ownership and control test.
  3. Independent opinion. This ranking is WCRC's independent research and opinion, based on publicly available information as of November 2026. It is not an endorsement of any brand. No brand paid to be included, and inclusion cannot be bought.
  4. Not a valuation. The WCRC Power Score measures brand strength across 50 parameters. It is not a financial valuation of any brand or company, including on the Most Valuable list.
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