Apple, Inc.

New York City -- Ron Johnson, credited with building Apple’s retail empire, is leaving the high-tech company to become CEO of J.C. Penney Co.

Johnson, who served as senior VP of retail for Apple, will assume the chief executive role on Nov. 1. He will report to current CEO Myron (Mike) Ullman, III, who will become executive chairman. Johnson will also join the company's board, effective Aug. 1.

It’s the time of year when retailers engage in the annual Dads and Grads promotional extravaganza, and Target is promoting the Apple iPad at $499 as a gift-giving solution.

The iPad appeared on a full-page ad in this week’s circular along with other Apple products such as the iPhone 4 and the iPod Touch.

Not that dads and grads wouldn’t want an iPad, and it never hurts to feature an item that shoppers can aspire to, but the iPad would appear to be out of the price range of most gift-givers, especially where Father’s Day is concerned.

Jerry Inman has joined 7thOnline to help the provider of retail merchandise assortment planning, forecasting and optimization solutions grow its visibility within the retailer and supplier communities.

New York -- Apple on Sunday rolled out dedicated iPad stations in its stores nationwide. The iPads are positioned near products for customers to use as tools for comparision shopping and customer assistance. 

Apple's in-store iPads, which feature a special in-store app, are designed to answer questions from customers and keep them in the store. Customers can also tap a button for help and the photo of an available sales assistant pops up with a promise that he or she will be over shortly to help.

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but it seems like you can’t pick up a paper or click a mouse lately without reading about some big box retailer rolling out its smaller store format. Target has its new 60,000-square-foot CityTarget concept, while Walmart has Walmart Neighborhood Market and Walmart Express stores. It seems like everyone is downsizing.

Comfort and wellness-footwear products  manufacturer Aetrex Worldwide has opened its first retail store, in Englewood, N.J. Designed by Gensler, the store has an upscale look, and combines the latest in technology with eye-catching graphics, high-end millwork and a fitting areas shaped like the company’s corporate logo.

Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple reported a record second-quarter net profit of  $5.99 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share, and revenue of $24.67 billion, thanks to strong sales in Macs, iPhones and iPads. These results compare with net quarterly profit of $3.07 billion, or $3.33 per diluted share, and revenue of $13.5 billion, in the year-ago quarter. International sales also helped boost profits, as they accounted for 59% of the quarter’s revenue, the company reported.

The iPad is an amazing product that offers a wonderful user experience, which is why everyone wants one. It also doesn’t hurt that retailers of all types have become quite aggressive in their promotional efforts on behalf of Apple, since the popular device makes a meaningful contribution to sales in addition to providing those retailers who feature the device with some of that Apple “it” factor.