Amazon Climbs to No.1 in Brand Trust Rankings

Amazon has emerged as India’s most trusted brand in 2026, ending Dell’s six-year run at the top of the rankings and signalling a broader shift in how consumers perceive trust in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Dell slipped to the second position this year, while Honda’s motorcycle division ranked third. LG’s television business climbed sharply to fourth place after a 13-rank jump, and watchmaker Titan rounded out the top five.

According to the latest Brand Trust Report released by TRA Research, which annually evaluates India’s 1,000 most trusted brands across sectors, technology and consumer electronics companies dominated the upper tiers of the rankings this year.

Sony’s television division placed sixth despite a slight decline, followed by LG’s refrigerator business in seventh place and LG’s washing machine category in eighth. Smartphone maker Vivo entered the top 10 after a 48-rank surge to ninth place, while e-commerce platform Flipkart completed the list at tenth.

The reshuffling at the top highlights how consumer trust is increasingly shaped by digital platforms and technology ecosystems. Amazon’s rise — an 11-rank jump from last year — reflects the growing role of online marketplaces that now anchor everyday consumer activity, from shopping and payments to logistics and service experiences.

N. Chandramouli, CEO, TRA Research said, “As AI and digital ecosystems become central to brand engagement, the winners will be those who balance innovation with transparency, ensuring that technological advancement never comes at the cost of human trust.” 

Consumer electronics emerged as one of the most competitive segments in the rankings. The report identified 81 brands across televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines, underscoring the growing importance of home appliances in consumer trust decisions.

When combined with mobile phones, laptops and personal computers, technology-driven categories account for more than 15% of the top 1,000 brands. The concentration suggests that consumers increasingly associate trust with product reliability, service networks and the role technology plays in everyday life.

The rankings also point to shifting geographic dynamics. Indian companies accounted for 27 brands in the top 50 across sectors such as automobiles, financial services and consumer goods. Asian manufacturers also strengthened their presence, with China and the United States each accounting for six brands in the top rankings, while South Korea had five.

Several companies recorded sharp gains this year. OnePlus climbed 103 ranks to enter the top 50, while Whirlpool’s refrigerator business surged 50 places to reach the 13th position. Financial services firm Muthoot Finance advanced 67 ranks to 44th place.

At the same time, some global brands saw notable declines. Samsung’s mobile phone division fell 38 ranks, Hewlett-Packard’s laptop business dropped 32 positions, and Maruti Suzuki’s four-wheeler category slipped 23 places.

The movements across sectors suggest that brand trust in India is becoming increasingly dynamic, shaped not only by legacy reputation but also by product performance, service experience and the ability of companies to adapt to evolving consumer expectations.