Downplays period of retail trouble

In an interview recorded during this week's Retail Week Live conference, Apple's former head of retail -- John Browett -- says he was fired for "fit rather than competency." He claims to have learned much from working for Apple for six months, and become a "kinder person." As for the firing, he says he "just didn’t fit within the way [Apple] ran the business," although he likes the people, products, and culture at the company.

During the interview clip, Browett says he is now clear of what he's like, and what it's like to work with him. "It will make me much better at doing my job in the future," he explains. "It was one of those shocking things were you were rejected from the organization for fit rather than competency."

Browett was fired from Apple last October amid controversy over steps he'd taken with the Apple Store chain and its employees. Many workers complained about suddenly finding themselves with stalled promotions, and/or reduced or non-existent hours. Even maintenance is said to have deteriorated at some locations, an important factor given Apple's reputation for clean and organized storefronts.

by MacNN Staff