J.C. Penney named Ron Johnson as CEO. Johnson launched Apple's retail strategy and was the man behind the company's aggressive store expansion a decade ago.
Johnson will become CEO on Nov. 1 and report to Myron E. Ullman, current chairman
Apple's retail strategy looked crazy a decade ago, but has been used to create a juggernaut that is about marketing as much as actual retailing. Apple's retail stores showcase products such as the Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod.
For Johnson, who joined Apple from Target, running a large retailer has been a goal. Johnson said:
"I've always dreamed of leading a major retail company as CEO, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help J. C. Penney re-imagine what I believe to be the single greatest opportunity in American retailing today, the Department Store."
With Johnson in the fold, it should be interesting to see how J.C. Penney layouts develop.
Meanwhile, Johnson is taking some of its Apple wealth and investing in his new employer. He is buying $50 million in J.C. Penney warrants on 7.257 million shares. These shares can't be hedged or sold for the first six years of a 7.5 year term.
With Johnson's track record at Apple, his tenure at J.C. Penney will be worth watching. Here's Johnson's Apple record by the numbers:
For the six months ended March 26, Apple’s retail operating profit was $1.84 billion on revenue of $7.04 billion. Compared to the same time frame a year earlier sales almost doubled. Operating profit did double.