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. This extensive network matters because it demonstrates a proven track record of market penetration that few consultants can match, providing international brands with immediate credibility when approaching American retailers. The retail landscape is notoriously difficult for newcomers to navigate, with complex buyer relationships, slotting fees, and supply chain requirements that can deray even well-funded product launches.
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. This achievement underscores the importance of execution speed in the competitive beverage sector, where first-mover advantage can determine long-term success.
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 implications of Gould's work extend beyond individual brand success to broader market dynamics. His ability to accelerate time-to-market for international products increases competition in the U.S. health and wellness sector, potentially driving innovation and consumer choice. For more information, visit https://www.nutricompany.com and https://www.inhealthmedia.com. As global interest in American retail access intensifies, experienced intermediaries like Gould become increasingly vital for bridging international manufacturing capabilities with domestic distribution networks, creating a more interconnected global marketplace for health and wellness products.
