Content about Apple

Raleigh, N.C. -- Apple, Costco and The Container Store top the “2012 100 Best Retailers To Work For” list compiled by The Retail Life online retail community, which was developed by Headway Workforce Solutions. DSW and American Eagle outfitters round out the top five.

The list, derived from The Retail Life members, was based on a variety of criteria, such as: competitive salaries, employee reviews, company pride, organizational values and culture, socialization opportunities, and career advancement opportunities.

New York -- Jerry McDougal, retail VP for Apple Inc., will be leaving the company, according to a Wednesday report by Bloomberg.

He will be replaced by Jim Bean, a VP in Apple’s finance division.

Company spokesman Steve Dowling told Bloomberg that Bean will be an apt replacement for McDougal, who served under former CEO Ron Johnson for many years.

New York -- In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Apple Inc. said its retail senior VP John Browett abruptly left the company on Monday. Another senior-ranking staffer iOS software senior VP Scott Forstall, will exit next year.

San Francisco -- As consumers await the debut of Apple’s iPhone 5, two retailer applications are now ranked among the Top 20 “bestsellers” free apps as ranked by Apple.

Target ranks No. 8 overall and Walgreens No. 10 as of Thursday.

Target version 5.5.1 now allows users to receive coupons directly in the app and scan them in the store and is compatible with Apple's latest iPhone operating system iOS 6. And now search results on the Target app can be filtered by price, in-store or online availability and color.

Plano, Texas -- Former Apple executive Ron Johnson, who became CEO of J.C. Penney in November, received $53.3 million in total compensation from the department store retailer last year.

Johnson received a base salary of $375,000 and $52.7 million in stock awards, according to a regulatory filing. His performance-based bonus was $236,000, which the company said was pro-rated based on his period of service during the fiscal year. He also received compensation valued at $13,000 for personal use of the company's aircraft.

New York City -- Apple Inc. and Sam’s Club are in early discussions to expand their partnership, possibly by adding in-store Apple shops in select Sam’s locations, according to a report on 9to5Mac, a website for Apple enthusiasts. Sam's Club stores already sell iPhone, iPad, and iPod products.

The report, which cited unnamed sources, said that a range of plans are being discussed, including having Sam’s simply sell a broader range of Apple products without in-store features.

Plano, Texas -- J. C. Penney Co. has tapped another former Apple executive to join its executive ranks. J. C. Penney announced that Kristen E. Blum has been named executive VP and chief technology officer, effective Jan. 23. She reports to COO Mike Kramer, and has responsibility for the company's jcp.com business and information technology systems.

New York City -- The government said it would lift the current 51% ownership limit on foreign companies that sell just one brand of products — a group that would include such companies as Gap, Apple and Starbucks — if they met certain strict conditions, the report said.

The requirements include a purchasing condition that single-brand retailers buy 30% of the value of their products from small Indian businesses and artisans, which are defined as businesses and individuals that have invested less than $1 million in factories or equipment.

New York City -- Apple on Friday unveiled a new glass entrance for its store on New York City's Fifth Avenue.

The original 32-ft. glass cube previously used 90 panes of glass. The new design has a more sleeker, slimmed-down look and features 15 larger, seamless panes. Apple also updated the plaza outside the store.

The total project cost Apple a reported $6.7 million.
 

New York City -- Technology devotees and regular Apple fans flocked to Apple stores across the globe to express their sorrow at the death of Steve Jobs.

Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple announced late Wednesday that its CEO Steve Jobs has resigned his post, effectively immediately, to be succeeded by current COO Tim Cook.

Jobs, the visionary whose contributions created the world’s most innovative technology company, is battling pancreatic cancer and has received a liver transplant. Concerns about his health led to his decision to resign.