Peter Ruis has been appointed as Executive Director to lead the John Lewis department store chain in the latest effort to turn around the business.
Ruis has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, including stints early in his career at Marks & Spencer, Ted Baker and Levi Strauss. He then worked at John Lewis between 2005 and 2013 as Executive Buying and Brand Director, playing a key part in the business’s transformation at the time, which led to John Lewis being crowned Retailer of the Year.
Following his departure, Ruis became CEO at Jigsaw for four years, taking the brand into 11 countries. He then went on to lead Anthropologie’s international drive as MD, before taking on his most recent role as CEO of Canada’s Indigo books and homewares chain.
Ruis said: “It’s a great privilege to return to the John Lewis Partnership after 10 years. The John Lewis brand is iconic, loved and trusted by millions of customers across the UK and I’m excited to lead the next phase of the transformation.”
Naomi Simcock, who stepped up as interim Executive Director for John Lewis after the abrupt exit of Pippa Wicks almost a year ago, has been moved to a new role as Operations Director.
Ruis’s appointment comes amid falling sales and profits at the department store chain. It has struggled amid weak footfall on high streets since the pandemic and is seeking new ways to attract shoppers to its stores. John Lewis has also faced improved competition from Marks & Spencer, especially online.
Nish Kankiwala, the former Hovis boss who is now Chief Executive of John Lewis Partnership, said Ruis would bring with him “a deep understanding of customers, brands and product from his 30-year career spanning a variety of major high street and online retailers.
“He also brings a clear and proven passion for the John Lewis brand and the partnership model, and I have no doubt he will be integral to our future success.”
