Apple creates Europe-wide retail, education sales ops

Apple Europe's centralisation continues apace, demonstrated by today's announcement of the creation of pan-European retail and education sales teams.

As we reported previously, Brendan O'Sullivan will run the education effort, having moved on from his role of Apple UK General Manager. Mark Rogers is confirmed as his replacement in Blighty. Meanwhile, Apple France boss Thomas Lot will head the retail sales team.

Given Apple's poor showing in education sales during September - primarily a US issue - increasing its focus on that side of the business makes sense, and O'Sullivan has much experience here.

And the Mac maker's keenness on consumer market is predicated upon a strong retail presence, even though it has never really had one. To clarify: a retail presence, yes; a strong one, no, and that's something that Apple really needs to work at.

The creation of a pan-European retail sales organisation comes as hints re-appear claiming that Apple is preparing its own High Street retail outlet chain, initially in the US, but soon in other territories, given 44 per cent of its sales are outside North America. ®

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