The latest details on Apple's search for a replacement for its former retail chief Ron Johnson were shared Monday by Bloomberg. The report revealed that Apple's search for a new head of retail are being led by Egon Zehnder International.
"The search is under way with lots of interest, and we are carefully selecting Ron's successor," Apple spokesman Steve Dowling reportedly said.
But Neil Stern, senior partner with retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle LLP, told the publication that the search for a new head of retail could be so "daunting" that Apple CEO Tim Cook might instead hire someone who already works at the company.
Stern also suggested that if Apple does hire from outside the company, it would be more likely to select someone from a "lifestyle brand" rather than a technology retailer. He suggested candidates could come from Coach Inc. or Nike Inc.
Johnson officially left Apple on Nov. 1 and moved on to become chief executive of retailer J.C. Penney. He spent the last 11 years as senior vice president of retail at Apple, and before that he was a key merchandising executive at Target for 15 years.
Johnson announced his departure in June, at which point Apple publicly said the company was "actively recruiting" for a new retail chief. The company later took its search abroad in August in hopes of finding a replacement with international retail experience.
The international expansion of Apple's highly successful retail business might be the most crucial aspect for the company. Apple revealed in its quarterly earnings conference call in October that it plans to open 40 new retail stores in the current quarter, with about three-quarters of them outside the U.S.
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Obviously, we don't know the details, but it's hard to understand how someone could find the job of being a retail chief for JC Penny more fulfilling than Apple.
Obviously, we don't know the details, but it's hard to understand how someone could find the job of being a retail chief for JC Penny more fulfilling than Apple.
Yeah, I tend to agree with you. Some people just like the challenge, some people get burnt out doing the same thing for the same company and just need to move on. Who knows, but it does seem odd.
Though Apple has partnered with a global executive search firm to find a new head of its retail operations, the difficulty of the search may prompt the company to simply promote someone from within its ranks.
The latest details on Apple's search for a replacement for its former retail chief Ron Johnson were shared Monday by Bloomberg. The report revealed that Apple's search for a new head of retail are being led by Egon Zehnder International.
"The search is under way with lots of interest, and we are carefully selecting Ron's successor," Apple spokesman Steve Dowling reportedly said.
But Neil Stern, senior partner with retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle LLP, told the publication that the search for a new head of retail could be so "daunting" that Apple CEO Tim Cook might instead hire someone who already works at the company.
Stern also suggested that if Apple does hire from outside the company, it would be more likely to select someone from a "lifestyle brand" rather than a technology retailer. He suggested candidates could come from Coach Inc. or Nike Inc.
Johnson officially left Apple on Nov. 1 and moved on to become chief executive of retailer J.C. Penney. He spent the last 11 years as senior vice president of retail at Apple, and before that he was a key merchandising executive at Target for 15 years.
Johnson announced his departure in June, at which point Apple publicly said the company was "actively recruiting" for a new retail chief. The company later took its search abroad in August in hopes of finding a replacement with international retail experience.
The international expansion of Apple's highly successful retail business might be the most crucial aspect for the company. Apple revealed in its quarterly earnings conference call in October that it plans to open 40 new retail stores in the current quarter, with about three-quarters of them outside the U.S.
I wonder whether Apple asked Johnson for a few names he'd recommend to replace him? \
Obviously, we don't know the details, but it's hard to understand how someone could find the job of being a retail chief for JC Penny more fulfilling than Apple.
Are you crazy? It's hard not to understand why Ron Johnson wouldn't want a chance at running his own ship. Ron is at an age where he realistically has about ten years of work left in him. This is the chance of a lifetime to run the show.
One does not not many opportunities like this in one's lifetime to be number one at a company.
Ron moved up through the ranks because of his ambition and his hope to be the guy that calls all the shots. If you're the pot washer, your next job isn't going to be executive chef. If you don't understand this, you probably have not met any ambitious people, specifically leaders. It's not for everyone (nor can it be), but clearly there are some who wish very hard to be the person whose decision is final.
Exactly. Ron would never be Apple CEO. He reached the top of his game at Apple. He could have retired there or he can spend the next decade at the top job of a company looking to transform itself. What an opportunity to leave his mark! If it doesn't work out at JC Penny, it's not like he needs the money. All senior Apple execs are filthy rich. It's a self fulfilment thing.