The freshness that was the Apple Stores when they opened up throughout the country and worldwide has faded. Tim Cook believes that the Apple Stores and retail are a cornerstone for the Cupertino company as it moves into the future. This belief is evident based on the fact that Cook himself personally oversees that area following the sacking of John Browett, an executive it hired from U.K. electronics retail chain Dixons Retail PLC (LON:DXNS) just six months before he was sent packing.