Apple retail hires Levi Strauss VP as west coast retail director

Not a replacement for Ron Johnson (let's let John Browett become an unperson), but it looks like Apple's hired away Enrique Atienza from Levi Strauss. Levi confirms that Atienza has left, but won't say where he's gone to, according to 9to5 Mac.

9to5 says that Atienza will head up Apple's west coast retail operations, putting him at a director level in Apple - curious, since he was a veep at Levi Strauss. In any case, Atienza is expected to start at Apple in October.

Apple has left the top spot open since John Browett's unceremonial departure last October along with former iOS head Scott Forstall. Apple retail hasn't exactly been foundering without a senior VP at the helm - the company continues to grow its retail footprint, especially internationally. Tim Cook appears determined not to make the same mistake Apple made after Ron Johnson left, and is content to leave the top spot open until someone with the right temperament, vision and cultural fit can take the role.

Source: 9to5 Mac

Peter Cohen