Apple taps head of U.K. retailer Dixons to replace Johnson

New York City -- Apple Inc. has hired John Browett, CEO of Dixons Retail PLC, the United Kingdom’s largest consumer-electronics retailer, to lead its retail store division. The appointment marks the end of a seven-month search to replace Ron Johnson, who left the world’s most valuable technology company last year to become CEO of J.C. Penney Co.



Browett, 48, will start at Apple in April as senior VP. He has been chief executive of Dixons since 2007. Prior to that, he was CEO of Tesco.com, a division of the world’s No.3 retailer Tesco Plc. Browett’s international experience is sure to be valuable to Apple as it focuses on expansion into new markets such as China.



Browett will report to Tim Cook, Apple CEO.



“Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we’ve met,” Cook said in a statement.