Peter Ruis has resigned from his role as managing director of John Lewis, a British department store chain, after less than three years. John Lewis announced on Monday that Ruis will depart to "pursue new projects."
His departure comes as the company faces what its chair, Jason Tarry, described last week as "really tough" trading conditions. Tarry had indicated a need to adjust for an "immediate future that we weren't expecting even six months ago."
Will Kernan, a non-executive board member of the employee-owned John Lewis Partnership, which also operates Waitrose, will succeed Ruis. Kernan is set to take over in mid-September as the retailer prepares for its Christmas peak trading period. Ruis will remain in his post until September 6.
Separately, the Co-op Group announced that its chair, Debbie White, will step down after two years. Moni Mannings has been appointed as interim chair to oversee the hiring of a new permanent chief executive.