Shop Different (a Retail Story)

How the Apple Store changed shopping forever – one customer at a time.

How the Apple Store changed shopping forever – one customer at a time.

In Shop Different: A Retail Story, visionary retailer Ron Johnson reveals the untold story of how he and Steve Jobs created the Apple store. From the first store’s opening to a global empire of over 500 locations, Johnson shares a behind-the-scenes look at iconic moments, including the opening of their first UK store on Regent Street and the restoration of the ancient Covent Garden store.

Part business memoir, part insider account, the book uncovers Johnson’s philosophy – ''Good Things Happen When People Come to the Store,’ ‘You Can’t Automate Service’ – and offers timeless lessons on leadership, innovation and customer experience. Filled with personal stories, hard-won wisdom and reflections on working with Steve Jobs, this is an inspiring read offering insights that readers can apply in their own work and lives.

Co-written with Zander Nethercutt, this is the definitive account of how Apple’s ‘houses of worship’ became a retail phenomenon that forever changed how we shop.

Ron Johnson is best known for the work he did creating and leading the Apple Store during its first twelve years. Ron also served as the CEO of JCPenney department store during 2012 and 2013. Prior to his time at Apple, Ron was highly regarded for the work he did as the Vice President of merchandising at retailer Target, where he led the effort to help Target differentiate itself through design. Most recently, Ron was CEO of Enjoy, the first mobile retail store. He lives in California and serves on the board of several private companies in the Bay Area.

· Given Apple’s international reach, it would make for a good fit for the soft business end of our list in the UK (and across our export territories). Huge international appeal: a brilliantly written soft business book about the world’s leading tech brand
· Insider’s account: Behind-the-scenes of how Ron Johnson and Steve Jobs built the Apple Store into a billion-dollar retail phenomenon in record time.
· Exclusive Apple Insights: insider view of Steve Jobs’ vision, the design philosophy behind Apple’s iconic stores and the moments that redefined retail.
· Unique business insight: Lessons in Leadership and Innovation, this book offers insights for anyone in business or leadership.
· Learn how a revolutionary idea grew into 500+ stores worldwide, setting the standard for customer experience and retail innovation.

Competition: Creativity Inc; Ride of a Lifetime; The Four; How Big Things Get Done; Jony Ive; Unreasonable Hospitality; Hit Refresh. Ed Catmull; Robert Iger; Scott Galloway; Bent Flybjerg & Dan Gardner; Leander Kahney; Will Guidara; Satya Nadella