Jigsaw targets click-and-collect as it aims to double online sales

Jigsaw chief executive Peter Ruis said the retailer’s online sales currently comprise 11% of Jigsaw’s total sales. It is aiming to increase this to 20%.

Ruis, who joined from John Lewis in September, said: “We are relatively young in the online world. We are doing a lot of work ensuring the platform works as well as it can.

“We are ensuring there is more rich content on the site and more exclusives online more quickly.”

Jigsaw launched click-and-collect in September last year. At present the retailer only serves within the M25 but Ruis said it is aiming to offer it nationwide by the end of the year.

Ruis spoke to Retail Week after Jigsaw revealed net profit grew 21% to £1.9m in the year to September 28. Sales increased 7% to £64.2m and online sales jumped 36%.

Across the Christmas trading period covering the five weeks to December 28, like-for-likes increased 17%. Ruis said it achieved this by investing in new products and stock levels in December, particularly in knitwear.

He added the retailer has also benefitted from sticking to a full-price strategy when other retailers went on Sale long before Christmas.

But Ruis remained cautious: “It was definitely a tough old season. I still think it is really tough and there is a while to go until the consumer sees the confidence the press are reporting.”

Ruis said property in the UK has become more appealing after landlords have had a “reality check” when it comes to filling retail space. Ruis said the retailer, which operates 61 shops, is eyeing a 75-store estate in the UK in the short term.

Jigsaw plans to open up to five UK stores this year, including a 6,000 sq ft central London flagship, which is to be unveiled in April. Ruis said he wants it to feel like a “retail emporium” but declined to give more detail, including its location.

It also aims to set up shop in Cape Town, South Africa in May. Jigsaw debuted in Dubai last month and also operates stores in Australia and North America.