For my personality and what I want out of life, multiples don t make sense. I can do better and more with one. As he looks into the next decade and a retailing world already upended by the speed of change, David Smith has a number of things up his sleeve. He s hired a saleswoman to visit homes and offices to serve customers who don t get shopping highs in a store. He s started a consulting practice to help companies deal with business casual, which, in some cases has deteriorated into business slovenly.
Most guys are pretty insecure about how they look.
We re all little boys on the inside. Many of his customers bought bomber jackets and John Travolta wear in the early days, rode with him through the period of Ralph Lauren and Pierre Cardin blue blazers and European gabardine slacks and now bask in the sartorial splendor of cashmere and silk. Consider the closet case of Gene Jacobson, a Pockets customer for almost as long as Mr. Smith has been in business. Texas Instruments Inc. He says looking sharp is necessary armament for deal making finesse. But he has no confidence in his tastes and finds shopping intimidating.