A recent flurry of reports said that Apple had been trimming back on hours and the number of employees at its retail stores. Apparently, the rumors were true -- and something Apple says was a mistake.

Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet told "Dow Jones" (http://macte.ch/2JPpz) that: "Making these changes was a mistake and the changes are being reversed ... Our employees are our most important asset and the ones who provide the world-class service our customers deserve."

"Dow Jones" says John Browett, Apple's new senior vice president of retail, aid that the company had been trying a new staffing formula for its retail stores, leading some employees to see their hourly shifts cut and retail locations to be understaffed. It purportedly didn't take long for Apple to realize it had made a mistake.

Browett then instructed leadership teams to tell employees, "We messed up," says "Dow Jones," quoting two unnamed "people who were aware of the communication." Reportedly, during the brouhaha, shift schedules were affected, but no one was laid off. What's more, Browett also wanted employees to know that it was hiring new staff, according to "Dow Jones."