Apple Retail Veep McDougal Exits

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) Retail vice president Jerry McDougal, a central figure in the construction of the vendor’s retail store strategy, has left the company for reasons described as personal and not work-related, according to reports confirmed by the vendor. Jim Bean, Apple’s former Finance vice president, will take McDougal’s place. Will McDougal’s exit prompt Apple to alter its retail blueprint? Read on for the details …

McDougal’s leaving follows by three months the firing of Apple’s Retail senior vice president John Browett in October, in what has become a string of executive management departures that most prominently included iOS Development chief Scott Forstall, a 15-year company veteran. McDougal was credited with being the top lieutenant of Ron Johnson, Apple’s former Retail chief, who, after guiding the company’s physical store strategy from inception, left some 18 months ago.

An Apple spokesperson confirmed McDougal’s resignation and Bean’s new post to AllThingsD. “Retail has an incredibly strong network of leaders at the store and regional level, and they will continue the excellent work they’ve done over the past decade to revolutionize retailing with unique, innovative services and a focus on the customer that is second to none,” said Steve Dowling. “Jim Bean is moving to Retail to help support our store teams. Jim has been at Apple for 15 years and is a great leader who understands our culture and focus on customer service.”

At this point, Apple has yet to name a replacement for Browett. McDougal had been seen as the likely candidate but, instead, chatter now has moved to Bob Bridger, Retail Real Estate vice president, and Steve Cano, Retail vice president, as possible candidates to fill Browett’s spot, according to a report at IfoAppleStore.

In recent days, Apple has been the subject of swirling rumors about its development of a low-priced iPhone, smaller than expected parts orders for the iPhone 5 and the prospects of an impending deal with China Mobile, China’s largest carrier with 700 million subscribers, to sell the vendor’s flagship smartphone.