Apple Hires Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts To Take Control Of Apple Stores
by Joe White
October 15, 2013
Apple has confirmed in a press release that it has hired Angela Ahrendts, chief executive officer of the fashion brand Burberry, to oversee its Apple Retail Stores and Apple Online Stores as a senior vice president and member of Apple's executive team.
The Cupertino, Calif. company has been on the hunt for a new retail boss for some time, ever since John Brownett - Apple's former head of retail, who joined in May 2012 - left following a disastrous couple of months.
Earlier this year we heard that Apple was only considering external candidates for the role, but still hadn't found the right fit. The news came at the same time Apple Retail Stores reported their first drop in sales in four years.
Now, however, a new head of retail has been appointed. In Apple's press release, chief executive officer Tim Cook explains:
I am thrilled that Angela will be joining our team. 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.Before joining the London-based Burberry as chief executive officer in 2006, Ahrendts was executive vice president at Liz Claiborne Inc., and previously served as president of Donna Karan International. Her title at Apple will be "Senior Vice President of Retail and Online Stores." Ahrendts said:
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. 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.Apple notes in its press release that Ahrendts will join the company in spring 2014. See also: Phablets Are Popular In South Korea, Where Apple Holds 14 Percent Of The Mobile Market, Zynga Updates CastleVille Legends With New Legendary Creatures And Treasures, and May The Swap Force Be With You As You Play Activision's Skylanders Lost Islands.
