Apple bites off European retailer for new leadership

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple Monday named a replacement for former retail headRon Johnson, who left the company last year to become CEO of JCPenney. The companyannounced that John Browett will join the company as SVP retail, reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook. Browett comes to Apple from European technology retailer Dixons Retail, where he has been CEO since 2007. Beginning in April, he will be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world, the company said in a press release.

“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Prior to joining Dixons Retail, Browett held a series of executive positions at Tesco plc including CEO of Tesco.com. Earlier in his career he advised retail and consumer goods clients at Boston Consulting Group. He holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Browett replaces Johnson, who was hired by JCPenney in June 2011 and assumed the CEO role in November of that year. Johnson is a former Target merchandising executive who for the past 11 years oversaw the growth of Apple’s wildly successful and widely heralded retail operation.

Since Johnson's departure, Apple has shown no sign of slowing down, with net profit in its first quarter reaching $13.06 billion, or $13.87 per diluted share, and sales of its key products soaring. Browett will no doubt be expected to continue the momentum that has helped Apple dominate the CE space.

As for Johnson, his latest effort at JCPenney includes overseeing a new, simplified pricing strategy, which you can read more about here.