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Apple finally finds new Head of Retail: Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts. Will begin in Spring 2014, run Online Stores too

Burberry Group Plc CEO Angela Ahrendts At The London Stock Exchange

Apple today announced that it has finally filled the role of Senior Vice President of Retail: the Cupertino tech giant has hired Angela Ahrendts. Ahrendts is leaving her role as CEO of fashion retailer Burberry to take the top Apple retail job. Ahrendts will also lead Apple’s online stores. She will officially begin her role in Spring 2014.

You may recall Apple replaced its original Head of Retail Ron Johnson, who left for JCPenney but has since been removed from that role, with John Browett, but Browett proved not to be a good fit and was removed almost a year ago to date.

Video of Burberry and Ahrendts discussing departure from Burberry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNPrdIvCnJk&feature=youtu.be

Charlie Rose Interview clip:

Ball State (her Alma Mater) Commencement Address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhYKGWmBleQ

TED Talks:

5 Questions with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AfDJnzydR4

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced that Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, will be joining Apple in a newly created position, as a senior vice president and member of our executive team, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.

“I am profoundly honored to join Apple in this newly created position next year, and very much look forward to working with the global teams to further enrich the consumer experience on and offline”

Ahrendts will have oversight of the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple retail and online stores, which have redefined the shopping experience for hundreds of millions of customers around the world. Apple retail stores set the standard for customer service with innovative features like the Genius Bar®, Personal Setup and One to One personal training to help customers get the most out of their Apple products.

“I am thrilled that Angela will be joining our team,” said Cook. “She shares our values and our focus on innovation, and she places the same strong emphasis as we do on the customer experience. She has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a proven track record.”

“I am profoundly honored to join Apple in this newly created position next year, and very much look forward to working with the global teams to further enrich the consumer experience on and offline,” said Ahrendts. “I have always admired the innovation and impact Apple products and services have on people’s lives and hope in some small way I can help contribute to the company’s continued success and leadership in changing the world.”

Ahrendts will join Apple in the spring from Burberry, where she serves as CEO and has led the company through a period of outstanding global growth. Prior to Burberry, she was executive vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., and earlier in her career she served as president of Donna Karan International.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple’s PR website (www.apple.com/pr), or call Apple’s Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

© 2013 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh and Genius Bar are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Comments

  1. danbridgland - 10 years ago

    Errrm

  2. Jorge Bronze - 10 years ago

    It’s a shame that Steve Cano didn’t get the promotion, but as long as he’s there he’ll always be influential.
    She seems like a much better fit than John bloody Browett.

  3. Lee (@leemahi) - 10 years ago

    This honestly feels like the first women hired by Apple.

  4. Dick Applebaum - 10 years ago

    @leemahi

    Jean Richardson was Dir of Marketing at Apple during the Mac era… She left to become a corporate VP at Microsoft.

  5. Browett was fired one year ago, not two.

    Good choice Ahrendts! She a fellow Hoosier and BSU grad!

  6. rahhbriley - 10 years ago

    She seems like a good hire!! Can’t wait to see her help take Apple Reatil to another level. Way better hire than Browett.

  7. kpom1 - 10 years ago

    Burberry sales tripled and their stock price quadrupled in the 7 years Ahrendt has been CEO. It’s probably a bit too much to ask for a repeat at Apple, but she should be a good fit. She’s tech-savvy and has streamlined Burberry’s supply chain while making a big push in China.

  8. drtyrell969 - 10 years ago

    Finally a hot babe at Apple. Retail needs to be GUTTED at Apple. Try, no tattoos, no piercings, no hemp clothing, no hipsters, and wait for it, SOME knowledge about the actual product line.

  9. veronicamarme - 10 years ago

    Appointing a Woman for one of the top jobs is powerful for Apple………I love apple Products…..I buy Apple phone products for my two big sons……..Its more reliable, durable and suitable for today’s generation of modern information and technological age and usage……..Thanks.