Bernard Arnault's Influential Advice to Steve Jobs During Apple's Retail Launch

When the late Steve Jobs was steering Apple Inc. towards its foray into retail stores, he sought advice from an unexpected yet sagacious source—Bernard Arnault, the magnate behind the French luxury empire LVMH. This revelation, made by Arnault himself on a recent Friday, highlights a moment of collaboration across industry lines that assisted in catapulting Apple AAPL into retail prominence.

The Consultation with a Luxury Titan

Bernard Arnault's recount of his encounter with Jobs is more than just a casual anecdote; it's a testament to the visionary foresight that Jobs had for Apple. Despite the doubt cast by industry competitors, who believed that Apple's venture into brick-and-mortar stores was doomed to fail, Jobs sought Arnault's expertise in luxury retailing. This move demonstrated Jobs' understanding of the importance of brand presentation and consumer experience, aspects that Arnault had mastered in the luxury domain. The collaboration is now part of the lore of Apple's retail success story.

Apple's Triumph in Retail

The gamble to open Apple retail stores has paid off extraordinarily. Today, Apple Inc. is not only the world's largest technology company by revenue, with a whopping $274.5 billion recorded in 2020, but since January 2021, it is also the most valuable company globally. It ranks as the fourth-largest PC vendor, and fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer—a far cry from predictions of retail failure. This prowess in multiple sectors is emblematic of the success that Jobs envisioned when he tapped into Arnault's luxury retail acumen.

The Legacy of Steve Jobs and Apple's AAPL Dominance

Steve Jobs left behind a legacy of innovation and an indomitable spirit that has continued to drive Apple's success. As one of the Big Five American information technology companies—alongside Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook—Apple's AAPL market dominance is a testament to Jobs' ability to synthesize advice from various fields and incorporate it into his visionary plans for Apple's retail experience and overall brand strategy.

Apple, Retail, Advice