Ron Johnson in an Apple Store. Photo by Associated Press.
Exclusive
Apple

Former Apple Exec, J.C. Penney CEO to Launch Delivery Startup

Photo: Ron Johnson in an Apple Store. Photo by Associated Press.

The godfather of Apple’s retail stores is trying to reinvent shopping again, this time by getting rid of stores.

Ron Johnson, who left Apple in 2011 for a controversial stint as the CEO of J.C. Penney, is launching a high-end, on-demand delivery service for gadgets, according to several people who have talked to him about it. And he has recruited some former Apple employees, including one-time Apple VP Jerry McDougal, to help.

The effort will be a closely watched attempt to reinvent real-world shopping for the digital age as well as a third big act for the retail executive who was fired from his last job after 17 months.

Get access to exclusive coverage
Read deeply reported stories from the largest newsroom in tech.
Latest Articles
 
The Takeaway
The Startup Trap Quibi Fell Into (and I Almost Did Too)
By Jessica E. Lessin · Oct. 24, 2020 7:47 AM PDT
The Startup Trap Quibi Fell Into (and I Almost Did Too)

This week, Tom and Jessica broke the news that Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg had told people the video startup might have to shut down and then—a day later—reported the shutdown officially.

I’m very proud of their excellent work, and I have to admit that I have a love-hate relationship with digital media startup stories. I am, after all, a digital media founder. And in ...

Latest Briefs
 
Airbnb’s Common Stock Price Rises 10%
By Cory Weinberg · Oct. 25, 2020
Facebook Could Use Tools for ‘At-Risk’ Countries for U.S. Elections
By Laura Mandaro · Oct. 25, 2020
Female Exec Exodus at Netflix Continues
By Jessica Toonkel · Oct. 23, 2020
Stay in the know
Receive a summary of the day's top tech news—distilled into one email.
Access on the go
View stories on our mobile app and tune into our weekly podcast.
Join live video Q&A’s
Deep-dive into topics like startups and autonomous vehicles with our top reporters and other executives.
Enjoy a clutter-free experience
Read without any banner ads.
Katzenberg May Shut Down Quibi as Options Run Short
Exclusive
Katzenberg May Shut Down Quibi as Options Run Short
By Tom Dotan and Jessica Toonkel
Jeffrey Katzenberg may be nearing the end of the road with his mobile video streaming service Quibi.
Quibi to Shutter in Stunning End to Ambitious Venture
Quibi to Shutter in Stunning End to Ambitious Venture
By Tom Dotan and Jessica Toonkel
Jeffrey Katzenberg’s video streaming service Quibi is shutting down, said a person familiar with the situation, bringing down the curtain on the short-form video streaming service just six months after it launched.
The Investors Who Face Big Losses From the Quibi Collapse
Exclusive Venture Capital Startups
The Investors Who Face Big Losses From the Quibi Collapse
By Tom Dotan and Jessica Toonkel
On Wednesday, video startup Quibi told its investors that it will shut down, a dramatic collapse of a digital media startup that launched just six months ago.
Quibi’s Short Life and Sudden Death: The Information’s Tech Briefing
The Briefing
Quibi’s Short Life and Sudden Death: The Information’s Tech Briefing
By The Information Staff
The sudden death of Quibi, the short-form video streaming service launched by Hollywood veteran Jeffrey Katzenberg six months ago, is sure to generate plenty of “I-told-you-so’s” from people in the entertainment and tech industries.
Who Could Lead CNN if Zucker Leaves
Who Could Lead CNN if Zucker Leaves
By Jessica Toonkel
As WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar overhauls the media firm to make it more digitally savvy and consumer focused, he is expected to zero in on its news and sports business, particularly CNN, for a shakeup, according to people familiar with the situation.
Airbnb Taps Jony Ive for Design Help
Exclusive Startups Real Estate
Airbnb Taps Jony Ive for Design Help
By Zoë Bernard and Cory Weinberg
Airbnb has hired famed former Apple designer Jony Ive as a creative consultant ahead of its initial public offering, CEO Brian Chesky said Wednesday.