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- How a California kid became a leader at PacSun
- Sneakers, splurges and a custom closet for footwear
- Vinyl resurgence and a Long Beach ritual
- Kitchen life: barbecues, smoke rings and well-worn cookbooks
- Grooming rituals and the bathroom lineup
- Buying habits: instinct for style, discipline for major buys
Richard Cox has spent nearly two decades shaping the youth apparel scene at PacSun. A Los Angeles native and Stanford alum, he climbed the ranks from trainee to chief merchandising officer. He oversees product, collaborations and design while balancing a personal life that blends sneaker culture, vinyl collecting and serious home cooking.
How a California kid became a leader at PacSun
Cox’s retail path began after college, when a trainee role at PacSun introduced him to buying and brand partnerships. A brief stint in New York as a buyer for Foot Locker broadened his perspective. He later returned to PacSun, bringing experience in merchandising back to the West Coast.
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Today he’s responsible for the assortments that define PacSun’s appeal to teens and young adults. His career reflects a mix of instinct and category knowledge, which also shapes his own purchases.
Sneakers, splurges and a custom closet for footwear
Cox identifies as a sneaker enthusiast who once chased every major drop. His collecting habits have calmed, but the passion remains.
Brands he gravitates toward
- Legacy favorites: Air Jordan and Nike
- Everyday rotations: Adidas and Vans
- Occasional luxury splurge: Dior patent-leather loafers
He estimated his stash at roughly 80 to 100 pairs. That number influenced a recent home renovation: closet space was designed with shoes in mind.
Vinyl resurgence and a Long Beach ritual
Music is a visible passion. Cox has watched vinyl regain popularity among younger listeners and enjoys being part of that culture.
A favorite ritual is wandering Fingerprints in Long Beach. There he imports jazz standards and hip-hop classics into his shelf.
Albums he reaches for often
- Jay-Z — The Black Album
- Lauryn Hill — The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
- Kendrick Lamar — Section.80
Vinyl shopping remains both a hobby and a way for him to connect with music in a tangible form.
Kitchen life: barbecues, smoke rings and well-worn cookbooks
Cox isn’t a passive cook. He smokes chicken and brisket for friends and prefers hosting meals at home.
One frequently used book on his shelf is Molly Baz’s Cook This Book. Recipes from that book often anchor his gatherings.
How he approaches kitchen purchases
- Big-ticket items get thorough comparison shopping.
- He reads reviews and narrows choices before buying.
- Appliances and project-related gear receive the most research.
For home projects and appliances he’s known among family as the methodical shopper who already tested options.
Grooming rituals and the bathroom lineup
His grooming cabinet is a source of guilty pleasure. Cox enjoys trying new skincare and scent products.
- Aesop is his go-to for daily care.
- Other staples include Le Labo and Salt & Stone.
His wife jokes about the complexity of his routine. He takes pride in a considered regimen and in discovering effective products.
Buying habits: instinct for style, discipline for major buys
Cox differentiates impulse from deliberation. Clothing purchases often come from instinct. Larger investments trigger detailed research.
- Impulse buys: new clothes and shoe drops.
- Planned buys: appliances, remodeling items and big home gear.
- Mix: occasional luxury items tied to events, like designer loafers for a formal night.
His approach blends curiosity and discipline, which helps him curate both a professional assortment and a personal collection.
