RON JOHNSON

Ron Johnson is a retail keynote speaker and the creator of the Apple Store. Working directly with Steve Jobs on Apple’s executive team, he built Apple’s retail business from scratch into the fastest retail concept ever to reach $1 billion in annual sales. Before Apple, he brought design to the mass market at Target, and he later served as CEO of JCPenney. His new book, Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple’s Genius, tells the story behind it all.

Every organisation says it wants breakthrough ideas. Few have the courage to back them. Ron shows leaders how to trust imagination over consensus, design experiences people love, and build cultures where people do their best work, especially when change is constant.

Why do so few organisations create something truly new?

Most innovation dies in a committee. Leaders chase incremental gains, copy competitors and lean on technology to do the hard work. Ron’s experience at Apple, Target and JCPenney shows what it really takes to create what’s next: a clear vision, a deep understanding of how customers feel, and a culture that values people as much as performance.

Why book Ron Johnson as your retail keynote speaker?

• He built one of the most famous customer experiences in the world. The Apple Store and its Genius Bar changed what customers expect from every brand, not just retailers.
• He tells the untold stories. Ron shares behind-the-scenes lessons from working with Steve Jobs that audiences won’t hear anywhere else.
• He is honest about failure. His time leading JCPenney gives him rare insight into how change succeeds, and why it sometimes doesn’t.
• He puts people first. Ron argues that culture and how people work together will matter more than AI, and he gives leaders practical ways to lead with trust, kindness and purpose.

Keynotes

Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of the Apple Store and the Courage to Create What’s Next

How did a computer company with no retail experience create the most successful store concept in history? Ron shares the behind-the-scenes story and a playbook for turning big ideas into reality.

• Why imagination should beat consensus
• A practical playbook for big ideas
• Lessons from working alongside Steve Jobs

The Imaginative Leader: How Courage, Creativity and Resilience Drive Breakthrough Innovation

For C-suite and senior leaders. Ron argues that visionary leadership, not technology alone, drives category-defining breakthroughs.

• What Apple teaches about leading innovation
• How to learn from failure without losing nerve
• Building a culture of imagination

Leading Through Change: How to Help Your Team Embrace Disruption and Win

Disruption is constant, and AI is accelerating it. Ron shows leaders how to bring their people with them through change, with trust and purpose at the centre.

• Why culture will matter more than AI
• How to lead teams through uncertainty
• Practical ways to build trust during change

Leading with Love: How a Culture Built on Kindness Creates Unbeatable Performance

How people feel at work is a lasting competitive advantage. Ron explains why culture drives performance, and how leaders can build one where people and results both thrive.

• Seeing customers and teams as people, not numbers
• Using emotional insight to make better decisions
• Building a legacy, not just incremental gains

As a retail keynote speaker, Ron tailors every session to your audience, from retail and consumer brands to financial services, technology and leadership events.

Formats: keynote, executive workshop, fireside chat, panel moderation and virtual sessions.

What do event organisers say?

“He was the highest rated speaker at the event and we had some pretty amazing speakers this year!!”

YPO Global Events

“Ron was amazing!!!!”

HCL America