First J.C. Penney lured away Ron Johnson, Apple's retail guru, to become its CEO. Now the company has hired Laurie Beja Miller, who was at one time an Apple vice president for special projects, to direct the creation of what J.C. Penney is calling "The Square," reports "Forbes" (http://macte.ch/AeqoG).

The Square apparently involves both a change to the stores’ physical lay-out, moving toward one central location, and their atmosphere, the article adds. Miller and Johnson worked at Apple at the same time, from 2003 to 2004, but in separate departments.

"Forbes" notes that Miller joins a growing number of Apple alumni at J.C. Penney. Johnson has already named Michael Kramer (formerly chief financial officer of Apple Retai) as chief operating officer, Daniel Walker (former chief talent officer at Apple) as chief talent officer and Kristen Blum (former director of Supply Chain Solutions at Apple) as chief technology officer.