Deidre O'Brien to head Apple's Retail and People as SVP, as Angela Ahrendts departs

It is a bit of a bombshell shake-up at Cupertino as Apple announced that Deirdre O’Brien is taking on new responsibilities for Apple’s retail and online stores in an expanded role as senior vice president of Retail + People, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.

O'Brien will take over from Angela Ahrendts, who is leaving the company after five years of leading the company’s retail and online stores, Angela Ahrendts who was CEO of Burberry before joining Apple, was a prime acquisiton and led the company's foray into more fashionable products and retail stores.

Many insiders believed Ahrendt's was being groomed for a bigger role at Apple, possibly even as CEO of the global brand post Tim Cook.  

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Flagship Apple Champs-Élysées retail store mixes modernity with rich Parisian history

Apple is opening a new flagship store in France. The Apple Champs-Élysées, paying tribute to Paris’s rich history and creativity. Housed in a Haussmann-era apartment building, the inner courtyard has been transformed into Apple’s grandest Forum, dedicated to free Today at Apple sessions. 

Apple offers more than 18,000 Today at Apple sessions around the world every week, focused on creative passions like photography, music, coding and design. In the first week, Apple Champs-Élysées will host sessions with popular musicians, filmmakers, animators and more. 

“The energy in Paris is electric and it will be one of our premier cities for Today at Apple,” said Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. “I hope that everyone who visits Apple Champs-Élysées will be inspired to unlock their creative curiosity and learn something new.” 

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SlideShow: First look at the Eaton Centre Microsoft Store

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft is opening a flagship store tomorrow at the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto. Taking over the spot that used to serve as the Sony Store for many years (and effectively replacing the pop-up kiosk that's served as a storefront for two years), the new Sony Store opens tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. Hit jump for details.

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Microsoft to open 9th retail store in Canada on November 20 at the Eaton Centre

Microsoft is opening its latest flagship store in downtown Toronto on November 20 at the Eaton Centre. Taking over where the old Sony Style store stood for many years, the new Microsoft Store will likely replace the tiny pop-up store that seems to have served as a placeholder for when a bigger, better location was available. This will be the 9th Canadian store and the 109th store in North America.

Part of the celebrations include a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. Hockey superstar Tie Domi will be on hand to play Xbox with lucky visitors. Attendees will also be able to purchase a Dell Venue 8 Pro 32 GB for just $99 or an Xbox 360 for only $99. This offer is limited to one per customer while supplies last.