Former Apple retail chief Ron Johnson to launch gadget delivery service, report says

According to a report on Tuesday, former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson is looking to open an on-demand delivery service for electronic devices, a sector currently being explored by the likes of Amazon, Google and others.

Citing people who spoke with Johnson about the project, The Information says the as-yet-unnamed startup will focus on on-demand deliveries, a departure from the retail guru's most recent job as CEO of J.C. Penney.

Johnson has also hired on former Apple employees to help with the new venture, including Vice President of Retail Jerry McDougal, who left the Cupertino company in 2013 to spend more time with his family.

While specific details are unknown, the upcoming service reportedly involves branded eco-friendly vans that are sent out on delivery runs on an on-demand basis. Similarities can be drawn with Uber, which is also experimenting with quick deliveries by way of food orders.

Amazon and Google have been looking for ways to make on-demand delivery services work, but so far their attempts have been largely unsuccessful. The logistics and economic viability of fast deliveries, however, continues to be roadblocks in rolling out a wide network.

Johnson is best known for realizing the Apple Store concept, which has become a major revenue driver for Apple and arguably serves as the face of the company. He left the company in 2011 to take on a position at J.C. Penney, but was fired in April of last year.

24 Comments

ridikulas 15 comments · 14 Years

About 10 years ago

Or you could go off to the sunset and enjoy your coin. Why does everyone feel the need to prove they can do it on their own?

kkerst 330 comments · 19 Years

I always hated that picture; it's so staged.

bigbillygoatgruff 353 comments · 14 Years

Ronnie Johns Gadget Delivery - Freaky Fast

jmgregory1 474 comments · 15 Years

The idea of having an on-demand gadget delivery service seems a bit strange. What exactly are the statistics on shoppers who buy gadgets? How many a year are people buying? Are they buying select brands? The thing with Uber is that once they've gotten past the new customer acquisition cost, it's very likely the new customer will use the service more than once and if like me, they'll use it regularly. That's where the payoff is. I know personally, I'm not buying but a couple of tech items a year. Perhaps I'm not the average, but I'm not seeing the business plan playing out well here.

radarthekat 3902 comments · 12 Years

[quote name="jmgregory1" url="/t/182462/former-apple-retail-chief-ron-johnson-to-launch-gadget-delivery-service-report-says#post_2604391"]The idea of having an on-demand gadget delivery service seems a bit strange. What exactly are the statistics on shoppers who buy gadgets? How many a year are people buying? Are they buying select brands? The thing with Uber is that once they've gotten past the new customer acquisition cost, it's very likely the new customer will use the service more than once and if like me, they'll use it regularly. That's where the payoff is. I know personally, I'm not buying but a couple of tech items a year. Perhaps I'm not the average, but I'm not seeing the business plan playing out well here.[/quote] Yeah, how many times a year are you buying a tech gadget AND not standing there in the store taking delivery of it or not buying it online in which case it's delivered pretty quickly. What is the specific purchase context he's trying to solve? Bigger question: aren't you glad Apple isn't in the business of trying to solve such low-margin problems? I'd sell every one of my 6500 shares if Apple announced it was taking on such challenges.