03/15, 12:13pm
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.
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12/06, 11:15am
Claims executive shakeup was about 'collaboration'
In the Business Week interview in which he talks about US manufacturing plans, Apple CEO Tim Cook also addresses several other topics, such as the firings of iOS head Scott Forstall and recently-hired retail chief John Browett, which forced a reorganization of duties. Although not referring to the other executives by name, Cook claims that the shakeup was meant to foster "collaboration," which he calls "essential for innovation" and a core value at Apple, something co-founder Steve Jobs allegedly believed in.
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10/29, 6:55pm
Mansfield's role defined, others expand duties
In a surprise announcement on Monday, Apple has confirmed that SVP of iOS Scott Forstall and SVP of Retail John Browett are leaving the company. Craig Federighi will take over heading up both iOS and OS X, though Forstall will stay on with the company into next year as an advisor. Apple CEO Tim Cook will run the retail side of Apple until a replacement for Browett, who started the job just nine months ago, is found. Other executives such as Sir Jonathan Ive, Eddy Cue and Bob Mansfield will take on additional responsibilities.
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08/28, 1:04am
Apple allegedly pushing profit at expense of workers, maintenance
The labor situation in Apple Stores is still in a rough state, despite promises by the company, according to sources for ifoAppleStore. For example, contrary to statements by Apple retail head John Browett, workers were recently laid off or fired, but later just rehired -- and while interstore transfers are now going through, demotions aren't being reversed, overtime is still limited, and managers are assigning minimum hours to part-timers. Apple is thought to be trying several methods of maximizing retail profits, including changing how worker performance is rated.
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06/20, 6:45pm
Microsoft retail poached employees with higher pay, promotions
Apple retail store employee wages are being increased by up to 25 percent, effective in July. The employees were told of the raises in face-to-face meetings with managers over the last two weeks, following an internal review ordered by John Browett, Apple's new retail chief. The raises were well-received, as raises generally are, but were viewed as long overdue.
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05/08, 10:42am
Promises 'more to share in the weeks ahead'
Apple's new head of retail, John Browett, has issued an initial letter to Apple Store workers through the company's Retail Me app. "Team," it begins. "At last I've officially started at Apple, and it's great to be here. "I've had the chance to meet many of you at stores in the US and across Europe, and one of my top priorities for the coming months is to meet many more people on our team around the world.
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04/25, 10:20am
Stocks currently valued over $56 million
Apple's new senior VP of retail, John Browett, has been granted 100,000 shares in company stock. Browett began his job on April 20th, the date the shares were granted as well. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing shows that the stock is set to vest over the course of five years: 5,000 shares will be available on October 20th, followed by another 15,000 on the first anniversary of his employment, and repeating increments of 20,000 on each subsequent anniversary.
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02/01, 12:45pm
Suggests Dixons strategy won't carry over to
Apple's new retail head, John Browett, was "the best by far" in terms of possible candidates, says company CEO Tim Cook. One blogger, Tony Hart, says he received a personal response from Cook after sending an email with his own thoughts on the hiring. "I talked to many people and John was the best by far," Cook's message reads. "I think you will be as pleased as I am. His role isn't to bring Dixons to Apple, [it's] to bring Apple to an even higher level of customer service and satisfaction."
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