John Lewis loses fashion retail guru Peter Ruis Jigsaw

     

Peter Ruis, the man, the John Lewis store in stiff best for its delicate cardigans and comfy slippers known transformed into a fashion Mecca, leaves the store to become the boss of Jigsaw.

After almost nine years at the retailers, six in a responsible manner, Ruis left side of the clothing business in good shape. Selling fashion head 1.1 billion euros in the previous year, an increase of EUR 700 million in 2005, after a series of rave reviews for his own label and branded designer collections.

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said everyone would be sad to see go Ruis. "Peter has revolutionized our offers fashion, home and technology," he said.

Ruis, who also worked at Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw begins in September, raising hopes that he say some magic on the manifold 61 branches, analysts, dull and tired is to sprinkle.

Jigsaw has its status as a niche brand for the UK high street lost by Maureen Hinton, a retail analyst at sentencing. She said: "It seems stuck in a rut and got an air about this yesterday ... He just needs someone to go out and shake up and rejuvenate."

"[Peter Ruis] has a good background of the brand. He understands what brands need to do to stand out."

Jigsaw has the potential to be a niche brand, such as Hobbs and Ted Baker, she added, "but now it's just a little boring."

Ruis said he was "very pleased to join such an iconic British brand," he said, was a "huge untapped potential".

Edited by Ruis, John Lewis clothes are a topic of discussion on the way side. He left the line with a long-standing reputation as UK Jacques Vert label, and introduced a number of new collections well received, such as Somerset, Alice by Temperley, and the cheapest brand children.

The business has sought to improve its image the last month means that men John Lewis own brand on the podium at an event in London's fashionable elite.

"We have clients with us, and the most popular we get, the more she became interested in" Ruis told the Observer in an interview in March.

He attributed the success of the retailer for wealthy customers in the age group to win, rather than targeting the 18-24 age group in search of a party outfit.

"In the past we have learned that our customers more comfort and are a little older, but increasingly our research has shown that to be a little simplistic," he said.

Paula Nickolds again as the purchase and brand manager in the autumn his work. Nickolds, 40, joined the company as a trainee 19 years ago and worked his way up to his current position as head of purchasing home products.

"She has a good understanding of customer needs and where John Lewis [the company] will as well," Hinton said. "