Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is searching a replacement for John Browett as chief of the company’s retail business. The Cupertino-based iPhone and iPad maker confirmed yesterday that two of its senior executives are leaving the company by next year. The other executive is Scott Forstall, chief of the mobile software division.
A report from the Wall Street Journal cited that Forstall was pushed out of the company, following his refusal to sign his name in a letter expressing apologies for the deficiencies of the iOS 6 mapping application. He was responsible in the development of the maps app.
Forstall was protégé of the late Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) c0-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. He served the company for 15 years, and he established a reputation within the company as a risk taker. A source familiar to the issue described Forstall as a person who is difficult to work with and he “never fit into the culture of Apple.”
On the other hand, Browett’s was also asked to vacate his position after committing several decisions and for his failure to assimilate in the company. He implemented a new staffing formula that cuts shifting hours for employees. As a result, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s retail stores did not have enough staffs for several weeks. The company reversed Browett’s staffing changes, and emphasized that it was a mistake.
Cook hired Browett in January 2012. He started working for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in April 20 as senior vice president for Retail. He received a lucrative compensation package of approximately $61 million. He succeeded Ron Johnson, who left Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to serve as chief executive officer of J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE:JCP).
Before joining Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Browett was the chief executive officer of Dixons, an electrical retail chain in United Kingdom from 2007 to 2012.
Tim Cook also announced other changes in the company’s management team particularly in the hardware, services and software teams. Additional responsibilities were given to the head of the teams including Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi.
In addition to his role as head of Apple’s Industrial Design, Ive will lead the company’s Human Interface (HI) team. Cue will be supervise the Siri and Maps team, in addition to his job as head of Apple’s online services including the iTune Store, App Store, iBookstore, and iCloud.
Federighi will serve as head of iOS ad OSX teams to develop the best technology and innovative user experience for mobile and desktop operating systems while Mansfield will lead the new Technologies team, which is a combination of Apple’s wireless and semiconductor teams. Mansfield agreed to serve the company for two more years. He announced his retirement earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Dan Riccio assumed Manfield’s former position as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. In a memo to Apple’s employees, Cook said, “As part of this, I am thrilled to tell you that Bob will remain with Apple for an additional two years. Bob has led some of our most challenging engineering projects for many years.”
According to Cook, Apple’s Retail team will report to him temporarily while the company looks for a person to succeed Browett’s position.
At present, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has 390 retail stores including 18 new stores opened in 10 countries. The company said, approximately 19,000 consumers visit every Apple store per week.
