Apple appoints new retail executive

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple Inc has named the chief executive officer of the largest UK consumer-electronics retailer as the head of its retail operations. That move ends a search lasting more than seven months for a senior executive to oversee the company's 361 stores and lead an international expansion.

John Browett will start at Apple in April as senior vice-president, the company said in a statement. The hiring marks the first outside senior-executive appointment by new Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook. Browett replaces Ron Johnson, who left Apple last year to become CEO of JC Penney Co.

Browett, who had been CEO of Dixons Retail since 2007, will lead the retail business as Apple builds more stores outside the United States. Of the company's 40 new locations this year, 30 will be abroad. Apple is using the stores to fuel an expansion in China, where outlets in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong are among the company's most trafficked locations. The company had 36,000 retail employees at the end of its last fiscal year.