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Apple 'Messed Up' with Retail Store Cutbacks, Denies Mass Layoffs
Following our report from earlier this week regarding word from Apple retail store sources of cutbacks and layoffs, Dow Jones Newswires now shares word that Apple has acknowledged that it "messed up" in adjusting its staffing formulas, although the company denies mass layoffs at its stores.
Despite Apple's claims that "no one was laid off", we have indeed heard from several Apple employees who have been laid off in recent weeks, with several of them independently claiming that there have been others, although some have called the moves "isolated" while others have characterized them as "many". ifoAppleStore reported yesterday that the cutbacks were made by Browett in an effort to meet profit goals and encourage the "bloated" store staffs to run "leaner", despite the objections of retail veterans within the company.
We did receive an unconfirmed report yesterday claiming that at least some stores held meetings addressing the issue, with promises that the cut hours would be restored and a phone call from Apple's corporate offices apologizing for the situation. It was unclear, however, exactly which employees were included in those meetings.
This is the second high-profile acknowledgment of a "mistake" on Apple's part in recent weeks, with Apple just last month having backpedaled on removing its products from the EPEAT environmental registry. In that case, Apple senior vice president Bob Mansfield posted an open letter apologizing for the company's error.
In a communication with store leadership teams, senior vice president of retail, John Browett, who took the reins of Apple's retail stores in April, said that the company had been trying a new staffing formula for its retail stores, leading some employees to see their hourly shifts cut and retail locations to be understaffed. This happened for a few weeks before the company decided to revert to its older system, hoping to rectify the problem.
He instructed leadership teams to tell employees, "We messed up," according to two people who were aware of the communication, which also stressed that while shift schedules were affected, no one was laid off. He also wanted employees to know that it was hiring new staff, these people said.
Apple acknowledged the retail staffing changes. "Making these changes was a mistake and the changes are being reversed," said Kristin Huguet, an Apple spokeswoman. "Our employees are our most important asset and the ones who provide the world-class service our customers deserve."
Despite Apple's claims that "no one was laid off", we have indeed heard from several Apple employees who have been laid off in recent weeks, with several of them independently claiming that there have been others, although some have called the moves "isolated" while others have characterized them as "many". ifoAppleStore reported yesterday that the cutbacks were made by Browett in an effort to meet profit goals and encourage the "bloated" store staffs to run "leaner", despite the objections of retail veterans within the company.
We did receive an unconfirmed report yesterday claiming that at least some stores held meetings addressing the issue, with promises that the cut hours would be restored and a phone call from Apple's corporate offices apologizing for the situation. It was unclear, however, exactly which employees were included in those meetings.
This is the second high-profile acknowledgment of a "mistake" on Apple's part in recent weeks, with Apple just last month having backpedaled on removing its products from the EPEAT environmental registry. In that case, Apple senior vice president Bob Mansfield posted an open letter apologizing for the company's error.
[ 219 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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85 months ago
John Browett's first cock-up. How many more before Apple finds out what everyone in the UK knew all along?
85 months ago
John Browett will become one of the worst hiring decisions of the most crucial aspect to Apple's structure: retail. Apple retail store's are the face of the company; placing John Browett at the helm is tantamount to placing a former Lehman Brothers executive as CFO.
85 months ago
He won't rein long :D With a cockup like this. To me, it looks totally unprofessional, if the Apple VP team went into any Currys, PCWorld or Comet they could see his god awful retail experience first hand.
85 months ago
great job Mr John Browett, great job...
this guy is a genius
Apple really needed a talent like him... :rolleyes:
thank God, Steve Jobs is no longer here to see that...
this guy is a genius
Apple really needed a talent like him... :rolleyes:
thank God, Steve Jobs is no longer here to see that...
85 months ago
Just like they "messed up" removing themselves from EPEAT? It'd be nice to see them use a different excuse once in a while.
85 months ago
Just like they "messed up" removing themselves from EPEAT? It'd be nice to see them use a different excuse once in a while.
Having worked some retail back in the day, they probably did just mess up - especially since someone new took over. A lot of VP's would never pen a letter saying they messed up.
I'd rather have them say they messed up then stand by bad decisions.
85 months ago
I've got a better idea, hire back those who were laid off and fire the guy John Browett - it is clear he doesn't know what the hell he is doing. There is a reason why the likes of Currys, PCWorld or Comet were happy to see the back of him.
Edit: Years of experience doing something doesn't mean you're good at it - I played piano for 5 years, it doesn't mean I'm actually any good at it.
Edit: Years of experience doing something doesn't mean you're good at it - I played piano for 5 years, it doesn't mean I'm actually any good at it.
85 months ago
John Browett should never have been hired in the first place.
Dixons, Currys, PC World etc are the antithesis of Apple own retail experience.
They are soulless sheds and tacky shops, (under)staffed by clueless idiots shifting bottom of the range and often end-of-lined products to equally clueless customers; Apples retail outlets are an exercise in promoting Apple as a premium brand as well as providing a level of sales and after-sales service appropriate to that status.
That Browett failed in his first task at Apple doesn't surprise me one bit. They should get rid of him asap.
Dixons, Currys, PC World etc are the antithesis of Apple own retail experience.
They are soulless sheds and tacky shops, (under)staffed by clueless idiots shifting bottom of the range and often end-of-lined products to equally clueless customers; Apples retail outlets are an exercise in promoting Apple as a premium brand as well as providing a level of sales and after-sales service appropriate to that status.
That Browett failed in his first task at Apple doesn't surprise me one bit. They should get rid of him asap.
85 months ago
Interesting... I always love to see Apple admit their wrong-doings, though. Shows a lot.
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