John Lewis chief Peter Ruis steps down as retailer confronts tough high-street climate

Peter Ruis, who rejoined John Lewis in 2024 after leading retailers such as Jigsaw and Anthropologie, announced his abrupt resignation, stating he will pursue new projects while leaving the business on a stronger footing. He will be replaced by Will Kernan, a non-executive board member with prior CEO experience at River Island, The White Company and Wiggle. The departure follows a difficult trading period marked by hot weather, online competition and cost-of-living pressures that have stalled big-ticket purchases.

Although the company reported a 3 % sales rise to £4.9 bn and a 29 % profit increase to £58 m, insiders suggest strategic disagreements with chair Jason Tarry may have influenced the move. Analysts view the change as notable but point to recent store refurbishments and brand collaborations as positive signs. The leadership shift adds to a recent pattern of short-tenured CEOs at John Lewis, underscoring the mounting challenges for UK department stores.