Apple Looks Across the Atlantic for a Retail Solution

is hiring Dixons chief executive John Browett to lead the company's retail expansion, according to

. Dixons is a UK-based electrical appliance retailer, along the same sort of lines as Best Buy

. The company had been in steady and apparently terminal decline until Browett oversaw a turnaround that earned him more than a few plaudits. He deserves them too; there have been many stories in the press over the past couple of years about companies, and retail stores in particular, being driven into the ground thanks to poor management and a poorer economy. By turning around a dying brand, Browett brought himself to the attention of many companies in need of a similar revival. Apple is not dying and it certainly is not in need of any sort of a resurrection. However, part of the reason that the company is so successful is its stubborn refusal to stand still. AAPL is always looking to innovate and always looking to bring in fresh ideas. Browett's appointment proves that this attitude stretches far further than the workshops. Browett was CEO at Dixns since 2007 and, before that, he headed supermarket chain Tesco's online shopping sight, which was also a big success in the UK. The man is obviously a winner. His responsibilities at Apple will include the company's retail strategy and the expansion of stores around the world from the current total of approximately 300. Without a doubt, the global retail strategy of Apple will provide a huge challenge to Browett, whose previous accomplishments, though unarguably impressive, were very British based. However, this is a man who has risen to challenges before, and there is no reason to believe that he won't again. "Our retail stores are all about customer service and John shares that commitment like no one else we've met," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, displaying nothing but faith for his newest recruit. Of course, the people at Dixons are not so happy. The company has moved fast to announced Browett's replacement, operations director Sebastian James, but Tuesday morning saw shares in Dixons drop 0.73 pence to 14.48 pence, which leaves Dixons valued at approximately 528 million pounds ($827.96 million). While James is almost certainly an intelligent man and the top choice, he has some of the biggest shoes to fill in the retail industry.