Peter Ruiz is tasked with revitalizing the department store. Photo: The Canadian Press/Alamy Stock Photo
John Lewis has hired former Jigsaw boss to spark change at the struggling department store chain.
Peter Ruiz has been named chief executive of the retail giant, replacing Pippa Weeks, who left last February after working in this position for less than three years.
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He will return to John Lewis having previously spent eight years as a director of the company's executive team from 2005 to 2013. Mr Ruiz is credited with helping John Lewis become fashionable again and oversaw the introduction of the company's now famous Christmas advert, the first to air in 2007.
Mr Ruiz began his career in purchasing at retailers including Marks & Spencer, Ted Baker and Levi Strauss.
He subsequently oversaw international operations as managing director of Anthropologie and took Jigsaw to the runway at London Fashion Week for four years as CEO.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Indigo, Canada's largest bookstore chain .
His return underscores the John Lewis Partnership's efforts to inject new impetus into its turnaround efforts in the face of stiff competition from rivals such as M& S.
John Lewis reported a loss of £59 million in the first half of 2023 and warned the turnaround plan would take two years longer than originally planned.
The group, which also owns supermarket chain Waitrose and, is reportedly planning to refocus efforts on retail.
This marks a change in policy from outgoing chairman Dame Sharon White, who has made a controversial move into housing.
Dame Sharon, who said she would step down at the end of her five-year term as president. The company overhauled the group's management in 2025.
Last year it appointed turnaround expert Nisha Kankiwala as the company's first chief executive.
Mr Ruiz will lead the department store. Our challenge is to revitalize the brand to appeal to younger customers.
However, the role of the chief executive has a checkered history.
Mr Ruiz replaces Pippa Weeks, who left in February last year. Photo: Andrew Crowley
Prior to Ms Weeks, the post was held by Paula Nickolds. She also abruptly left the business in 2020, just weeks after becoming de facto deputy to Sir Charlie Mayfield, who was chairman at the time.
Mr Ruiz headed Jigsaw from 2013 to 2018 , and is credited with expanding the brand to 11 countries and bringing it back into fashion.
He is now popular with celebrities including Holly Willoughby and the Duchess of Cambridge, who briefly worked as a buyer for the brand before marrying into the royal family.
During his nine-year reign at John Lewis, Mr. Mr. Ruiz helped shed the department store's image as an outdated retailer by introducing new brands and initiating design collaborations with celebrities such as Alice Temperley.
He was also responsible for the company's commercial and marketing divisions, overseeing the production of John Lewis's signature Christmas advert.
A popular figure in the industry, Mr Ruiz's tenure at John Lewis culminated in the department. the store was named Retailer of the Year in 2013.
Mr Ruiz said it was a «great privilege» to return to the retailer after ten years.
Naomi Simcock, who has been interim chief executive of the department store for the past 11 months , has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer at John Lewis.
Mr Kankiwala, Chief Executive of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “It is great to welcome Peter back to the partnership. With a 30-year career spanning many high street and online stores, he has a deep understanding of customers, brands and products.
“He also brings a clear and proven passion for the John Lewis brand and partnership model, and I have no doubt that he will be an integral part of our future success.»
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