I don't follow your point. You can filter by store or brand. You can, for instance, allow someone to see the shoe collection and hide everything not from Nordstrom or not Gucci (or both), etc.
EDIT: By the way, I still think you make an interesting point in how people really shop, and I appreciate you sharing that here.
I believe he's saying that people buy for the feeling, not to satisfy a list of specs. So although us techies might like this sort of drill down, normal folks prefer the "serendipitous discovery" experience of shopping.
I'm not sure I agree, but it is a thought provoking point.
EDIT: By the way, I still think you make an interesting point in how people really shop, and I appreciate you sharing that here.