Jigsaw set to open extra shops because it levels turnaround after ‘standout’ Christmas

Jigsaw, the high street fashion store favoured by the Princess of Wales, has said a bumper Christmas has put it in prime position to open more shops this year.

The women’s fashion brand said sales rose 26 per cent over the festive period as its new boss hailed signs of a turnaround.

Tikki Godley, managing director at Jigsaw, said the group is ‘excited to continue investing in the high street through 2026.’

It currently has 43 stores and 28 concessions, with newer shops including in the Battersea Power Station shopping centre in south London.

Its leather clothes – which include a £485 purple coat – were an especially ‘successful standout’, while sales were also boosted by ‘strong consumer demand’ for knitwear and coats, the group said.

And its profit margin grew 35 per cent thanks to fewer discounts.

The Princess of Wales briefly worked at Jigsaw after she graduated and is a fan of their clothes

The brand is known for being a favourite of Kate Middleton, who worked part-time there as a children’s accessories buyer before marrying Prince William. Former This Morning host Holly Willoughby is also a fan of its designs.

The business had struggled to retain its middle-class shopper base and was forced to close 30 shops during the pandemic. 

It also decided to axe men’s clothes and just focus on women’s, under a restructuring plan approved in 2020.

Jigsaw, owned by Carphone Warehouse tycoon David Ross, was founded in Brighton in 1970 by John Robinson.

Ross, who is also the chairman of the National Portrait Gallery, replaced Robinson as the majority shareholder last year after injecting £5m into the group.

Godley, who became chief executive in April after holding top jobs at Never Fully Dressed and Ted Baker, said: ‘This transformation has been about getting back to what our customers love about Jigsaw – thoughtful design, quality and clothes that feel relevant to modern life.

‘By putting product and customer insight at the heart of every decision, we’ve created a platform for sustainable growth and are excited to continue investing in the high street through 2026.’