Ron Johnson, the man who helped create the Apple Store alongside Steve Jobs, has left his role as the CEO of JC Penney. Johnson resigned from Apple back in 2011 to accept the JC Penney position.

Morale at JC Penney has weakened since Johnson was put in charge 16 months ago. The company has been bleeding money, and Johnson’s retail strategies have not seen success. Johnson’s departure doesn’t come as much of a shock to those who have been following his failed attempts to revitalize the department store chain.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank Ron Johnson for his contributions while at JC Penney and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said the company’s chairman of the board in a bland statement.

Since Johnson left, Apple has hired and fired John Browett in an attempt to find a viable replacement for its retail division. The job is currently still unfilled. Has Apple wooed Johnson back to the position that made him a household name in the retail world?

Source: CNBC