“Angela Ahrendts’ new job as head of Apple retail is her first gig outside of fashion. Given the Burberry CEO’s digital knowhow and Apple’s move toward wearable technology, it’s a natural fit,” Patricia Sellers writes for Fortune. “In recruiting Burberry (BURBY) CEO Angela Ahrendts to head its retail and online unit, Apple (AAPL) is acquiring a design fanatic, a digital evangelist, and a master of millennial marketing.”
“The move looks to be a win for Apple and a loss for the once-stuffy British luxury retailer, which has transformed remarkably since Ahrendts took charge in 2006,” Sellers writes. “Building on a turnaround set off by her predecessor Rose Marie Bravo, Ahrendts has expanded Burberry into a hip brand globally and has more than tripled the company’s stock-market value to $11.3 billion”
Read more in the full article here.
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What “Apple move toward wearable technology”? Patricia Sellers must moonlight as a securities analyst when she isn’t writing pablum for Fortune..
Yea, my thoughts too.
Not to mention a paid Samscum reporter: “Samsung and Microsoft have been encroaching on Apple’s retail dominance…”
What drugs has Patricia been taking?
I saw a little bracket thingy you could attach with the screws on the case of an iPhone 4, then put a ribbon through it and wear it around your neck. Maybe that is what she’s thinking of.
I want a Black Watch plaid iPad mini cover, seriously.
New roles, international expansion, unparalleled growth, new horizons.
Apple Inc. Is turning into the American Worldwide Consumer Electronics Giant, of yesterday’s Sony magnitude.
I want a wearable BUY button for the iPad mini with retina for as soon as it goes on sale.
Spotlight on smiles.
She has a lot of work in front of her. I wish her well.
Not long after Angela Ahrendts arrives at Apple and snaps her fingers, I expect a rapid overhaul of the online storefront, with social media integration and a tighter integration of the back end with the brick and mortar facilities. In terms of Apple’s objective of providing consumer delight to build customer loyalty, there is no substitute for face-to-face experience, but for consumers located far from the facilities, vicarious experience is almost as good a hook. She’s already had some of this social connectivity done at Burberry; I’d like to see the Apple version.
But that will be the easier part. Opening more retail centers is the proven formula for extending Apple’s reach and sustaining growth through both outreach and retention. Fortunately she’ll have a CEO who thoroughly understands this and won’t be squinchy about the bankroll. Tim Cook will have her back.
And the next iPad will be thinner because it will be photoshopped.
She has style, class and is very attractive. Definitely potential next CEO material when Tim Cook decides to hangup his coat.
She’s gonna take style to a new level at apple – and yes I think it’s all about wearable embedded technology.
This choice is intriguing. She seems to have the talent, intelligence creativity and passion to have a great career at Apple.
“A design fanatic, a digital evangelist, and a master of millennial marketing”.
Does this mean a well dressed individual with an oversized watch selling ice cubes to Eskimos?
I would bet she is already sitting in on executive meeting virtually and in person. Has started picking her teams.
I believe that Apple will change her more than she will change Apple.
Clothing and Fashion is all fluff with no deep substance or value and little utility. Apple products are in another realm: high utility with great design and appeal. I’m sure she can adapt and I wish her luck.
She’s definitely from a different planet than the last doofus.
I think it’s a light article but the closing line about Apple struggling in china, really? The stores are the most productive ind have the top grosses of all the retail stores. I’d like to know what they mean by struggling? Struggling to keep inventory on shelves?
she is going to do for apple what former apple retail guy did to jcpenney, complete ruin, cook will destroy apple with his small frame of mind, it is not his fault, but hiring scarf and shoe salespeople in hope to create anything at apple but disaster is idiocy at best