According to the John Lewis Partnership, Peter Ruis stepped down as the managing director of its department store business after less than three years in charge, as the employee-owned retailer confronts what chairman Jason Tarry described as “really tough” trading conditions. Ruis will leave the company on September 6 to pursue new projects, making way for Will Kernan, a non-executive board member and former chief executive of River Island and The White Company, who takes over in mid-September ahead of the peak Christmas trading season.
Will Kernan Takes Over Department Store Leadership
Will Kernan steps into the managing director role following an orderly succession plan announced by the John Lewis Partnership on Monday. Kernan has served as a non-executive director on the partnership’s board since 2023. Beyond his tenure at River Island and The White Company, Kernan spent 13 years at New Look and also led cycling retailer Wiggle. According to a statement from Kernan, the employee-owned business still maintains “significant headroom for growth” as he prepares to lead the team across both physical stores and online platforms.
Retail Giants Face Inflationary Pressures and Rising Costs
The leadership change arrives amid a challenging economic backdrop for British retail. The financial strain stems partly from broader macroeconomic shifts, including rising inflation driven by soaring oil prices linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran. These pressures have squeezed household budgets and elevated operational expenses for major retailers. Despite these hurdles, the partnership previously distributed a £35m bonus pot in March—giving 69,000 workers roughly one week of extra pay—after underlying profits rose and management felt confident enough in the economic outlook to award the bonus for the first time in four years.
Did you know?
The John Lewis Partnership operates both the John Lewis department store chain and the upmarket Waitrose supermarket brand, functioning entirely under an employee-ownership model where staff are known as partners.
Peter Ruis Leaves Business on ‘Much Stronger Footing’
Peter Ruis defended the health of the department store chain upon the announcement of his departure, stating that the business is “now on a much stronger footing” following nearly three years of significant investment and modernisation. Ruis returned to John Lewis at the start of 2024 after previously serving as its buying and brand director during a nine-year stint, and after leading other retailers including Jigsaw and Anthropologie. During his recent tenure, he oversaw capital investment across the 36 surviving John Lewis department stores following the closure of 16 locations during the coronavirus pandemic. Chairman Jason Tarry praised Ruis for injecting energy and pace into the retailer’s ongoing transformation.
Leadership Shakeups Across the British Retail Sector
The leadership transition at John Lewis coincides with concurrent executive departures across other prominent British consumer cooperatives. According to the main source reports, the Co-op Group announced on Monday that its chair, Debbie White, decided to step down after a two-year tenure marked by steering the convenience store, insurance, and funeral services group through a major cyber-attack. Moni Mannings, the senior independent director, was appointed as interim chair to oversee the search for a new permanent chief executive following the March departure of Shirine Khoury-Haq.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is replacing Peter Ruis at John Lewis?
Will Kernan, a non-executive board member of the John Lewis Partnership and former CEO of River Island and The White Company, will replace Peter Ruis.
When does Peter Ruis officially leave John Lewis?
Peter Ruis will remain in his post until September 6, with Will Kernan taking over the role in mid-September.
Why is John Lewis facing difficult trading conditions?
According to chairman Jason Tarry, the retailer is navigating lower sales and higher operational costs driven by rising inflation and surging oil prices.
What other major retail leadership changes happened alongside this announcement?
The Co-op Group announced that its chair, Debbie White, is stepping down after two years in the role.
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