AAPL retail chief to speak

Apple's chief of retail Ron Johnson is scheduled to speak to analysts at the fourth ThinkEquity Annual Growth Conference following the Cupertino-based company's special announcement on September 12th. ThinkEquity analyst Jonathan Hoopes believes the company will debut new iPods as well as an iTunes movie download service, according to Macworld UK. Johnson will likely discuss how Apple's retail presence can help execute its future strategy, following the expected product announcements. Both Apple events are to take place on the same day as Dell's own analyst meeting. "It appears Apple CEO Steve Jobs wants to steal Michael Dell's thunder," said Hoopes. ThinkEquity has issued a "buy" rating on Apple shares with a price target of $90, and believes Apple retail stores are a true asset to the brand. "Apple is perfecting a next-generation retail experience and we believe the stores are core to Apple's establishing a premier consumer electronics brand."

by MacNN Staff