Former Apple retail boss Ron Johnson out at J.C. Penney

Ron Johnson in Apple's Manhattan store in 2009, standing in front of a seemingly relevant sign.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Ron Johnson, J.C. Penney's chief executive and former Apple retail chief, is out at the clothing retail giant, CNBC reports.

Johnson joined J.C. Penney in November 2011, after spending more than a decade at Apple, building and growing its retail empire.

That success did not equate at Penney's, where Johnson attempted to run the more than 1,100-store company as what he referred to as "a startup." That initially included getting rid of sales events, in place of fixed pricing. Johnson also tried to add high-tech features to the store, like free Wi-Fi and self-checkout from smartphones.

The company has appointed former Macy's executive and former J.C. Penney CEO Myron E. Ullman as Johnson's replacement, CNBC reports.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank Ron Johnson for his contributions while at J.C. Penney and wish him the best in his future endeavors," Penney's chairman, Thomas Engibo... [Read more]