Hires John Browett to head retail efforts -- non company insider

John Browett (left), the new retail chief at Apple, and Steve Cano, Apple's manager of retail stores, survey the launch day iPad line in San Francisco. The former CEO of European technology retailer Dixons senior vice president of retail was given responsibility for andling Apple's retail strategy and continuing Apple Store expansion worldwide.

This was a key selection. Browett filled the job left vacant by Ron Johnson, who was responsible for establishing Apple's retail stores. Johnson left to become CEO of J.C. Penney.