Mitch Gould, founder and CEO of Nutritional Products International (NPI), is set to participate in the ECRM Vitamin, Weight Management & Sports Nutrition Session, scheduled for September 14-17 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. With decades of retail sales experience, Gould has sold millions of dollars in consumer products to major retailers such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, GNC, and Vitamin Shoppe.
For Gould, ECRM represents a shift from the traditional approach of traveling to multiple locations for individual buyer meetings. "I've spent my career traveling the country, sitting down with buyers and building relationships with major retailers," Gould said. "ECRM brings many of those opportunities together under one roof. Instead of flying from city to city for individual meetings, you can have productive conversations with retailers over several days in one location."
Gould emphasized that the value of the event extends beyond pure efficiency. "Retail has always been a relationship business," he noted. "There is something different about meeting people face-to-face, having dinner together, talking outside the formal meeting environment and getting to know the people behind the business. ECRM creates that kind of atmosphere."
Gould's background spans across health, wellness, and nutrition industries, where he has worked with manufacturers, consumer brands, and major retailers. At NPI, he developed the "Evolution of Distribution" platform, which provides domestic and international brands with a streamlined approach to entering or expanding in the U.S. market. The platform integrates sales, marketing, logistics, and retail distribution services under one operation.
"ECRM fits naturally with the way we approach retail expansion at NPI," Gould said. "It gives us an opportunity to sit across the table from retailers, understand what they are looking for and introduce them to brands and products that may fit their customers."
The September session will see Gould representing NPI and the brands the company represents. His participation underscores the ongoing importance of in-person interactions in an increasingly digital business environment. "Technology has made business faster, but relationships still matter," Gould said. "When you can bring efficiency and personal relationships together, that's a powerful combination."
Gould's career includes working with iconic consumer brands such as Igloo, Rubbermaid, Sunbeam, and Miracle-Gro, as well as high-profile celebrity brands including Steven Seagal, Hulk Hogan, Chuck Liddell, and Ronnie Coleman. He has played a key role in shaping the growth of the U.S. sports nutrition category, supporting the expansion of performance-focused products across major retail and e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Walmart, GNC, CVS, and Walgreens.
As the retail landscape evolves, events like ECRM provide a venue for decision-makers to connect and collaborate. Gould's involvement highlights the blend of efficiency and relationship-building that remains essential for success in the industry.
