Retail therapy —

John Browett and Apple retail: “rejected for fit rather than competency”

Working at Apple was "probably the best thing that's ever happened" to Browett.

Former Dixons Retail CEO John Browett, who enjoyed his position at the top of Apple retail for less than a year, has come forward to discuss some of the reasons why he didn't end up staying at Apple for longer. In an interview during this week's Retail Week Live conference, Browett said he was ousted from Apple not because of incompetence, but because he "just didn't fit" with Apple's culture.

Apple had hired Browett in early 2012 to replace Apple retail brainchild Ron Johnson left to become CEO of JC Penney. The immediate reaction from the public wasn't exactly a positive one—Dixons' UK retail stores were known for being cheap, messy, and staffed with clueless salespeople. That was the polar opposite of the image Johnson had curated for Apple's own retail presence, leaving customers and employees alike confused about where Apple was hoping to take its stores.

But in October of 2012, Apple announced Browett was out after a series of Apple retail stumbles. Now, Browett is reflecting publicly on what happened, attributing the situation to a bad fit rather than his ability to do his job.

"Apple is a truly fantastic business. The people are great, they've got great products, it's got a great culture and I loved working there, it's a fantastic business," he said. "The issue there was that I just didn't fit within the way they run the business. It was one of those things where you're rejected for fit rather than competency."

Despite his incompatibility with Apple's culture, Browett described the post as "probably the best thing that's ever happened" to him. For his full comments, check out the video:

Channel Ars Technica