Mitch Gould, founder and CEO of Nutritional Products International, has built a career spanning more than 30 years at the crossroads of retail and brand development. His work has taken him into the boardrooms of virtually every major retailer in the United States and has included collaborations with some of the biggest names in consumer products, beverages, sports nutrition, and health and wellness. From Walmart to CVS, Costco to Home Depot, Walgreens to Target, I've sat across the table at nearly every retail headquarters in America, said Gould. I've represented brands of all sizes, helping them navigate the complexities of U.S. retail and get products into the hands of American consumers.
Gould's career résumé includes partnerships with a long list of national chains: Walmart, Costco, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Albertsons, Meijer, Vitamin World, Vitamin Shoppe, Circle K, and 7-Eleven, among many others. Beyond retail, Gould has also worked alongside an impressive roster of athletes and celebrities, including Steven Seagal, Hulk Hogan, Chuck Liddell, Ronnie Coleman, Steve Garvey, Joe Theismann, Wayne Gretzky, and Roberto Clemente Jr. One highlight came when Gould and actor Steven Seagal launched the Lightning Bolt Energy Drink, which reached the shelves of Walmart and 7-Eleven nationwide within just 12 months. That's record speed to market, Gould said.
Throughout his career, Gould has placed hundreds of health, wellness, and sports nutrition brands with top retailers, including powerhouse names like MuscleTech, BSN, Optimum Nutrition, and CytoSport. Now entering his fourth decade in the industry, Gould remains as active as ever. Through NPI's proprietary Evolution of Distribution platform, he helps international manufacturers bring their products to the highly competitive U.S. market. I start my mornings in Europe and end my evenings with Asia, Gould said. The demand from overseas brands looking for American distribution has never been greater, and NPI is positioned to deliver speed, efficiency, and measurable success.
The significance of Gould's work lies in the changing landscape of global retail distribution. As international brands increasingly seek access to American consumers, experienced intermediaries who understand both retail logistics and brand development become crucial. Gould's track record demonstrates that established relationships with major retailers can dramatically accelerate market entry, as shown by the Lightning Bolt Energy Drink reaching national shelves within one year. This efficiency matters because the U.S. retail market remains one of the world's most competitive, with shelf space at premium retailers like Walmart and Costco being intensely contested.
Gould's evolution from working with domestic brands to focusing on international manufacturers through platforms like Evolution of Distribution reflects broader economic trends. The globalization of consumer goods means that American retailers now source products from worldwide manufacturers, creating opportunities but also complexities in logistics, compliance, and marketing. Gould's morning-to-evening work schedule spanning European and Asian time zones underscores the 24/7 nature of this global marketplace. For companies seeking information about these distribution services, resources are available at www.nutricompany.com and www.inhealthmedia.com.
