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

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