Apple Hires Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts as New Retail Chief [u]

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Apple has announced tonight it has hired Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts as its new retail chief, a position she will fill next spring. According to Apple, Ahrendts “will have oversight of the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple retail and online stores.”

“I am thrilled that Angela will be joining our team,” said Cook. “She shares our values and our focus on innovation, and she places the same strong emphasis as we do on the customer experience. She has shown herself to be an extraordinary leader throughout her career and has a proven track record.”

“I am profoundly honored to join Apple in this newly created position next year, and very much look forward to working with the global teams to further enrich the consumer experience on and offline,” said Ahrendts. “I have always admired the innovation and impact Apple products and services have on people’s lives and hope in some small way I can help contribute to the company’s continued success and leadership in changing the world.”

Apple had been searching for a new retail chief for almost a year, after the firing of John Browett late last October.

Apple collaborated with Burberry last month, as the iPhone 5s was used exclusively to photograph and film the designer label’s fashion show showcasing its spring line up.

Update: Reuters reports its chief creative officer Christopher Bailey will replace Ahrendts as chief executive in mid-2014 once the latter steps down.

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