In just a few weeks, Robert Bruza will celebrate his 4-year anniversary as Retailbound’s Director of Business Development — and time has certainly flown by!
During his tenure, Robert has traveled the world meeting innovative product manufacturers eager to scale their brands with U.S. retailers. His extensive experience and passion for retail make him a vital part of the Retailbound team.
This month, we sat down with Robert to learn more about his mission, insights on the retail industry, and what drives his work at Retailbound.
What’s your personal mission and objective at Retailbound?
My immediate goal is to bring high-quality retail consulting services to innovative startups and early-growth companies looking to crack the retail code.
Many emerging brands — whether selling direct-to-consumer, on Amazon, or just starting out — don’t fully understand the value and complexity of today’s retail ecosystem. My mission is to help these companies make smarter, more informed go-to-market decisions.
In the long term, I want to help Retailbound expand its service offerings to better support the startup community. The retail journey can be both challenging and expensive, but the earlier a brand prepares for retail, the more successful it will be.
From funding and product development to distribution, channel diversification, and retail growth, our goal at Retailbound is to be a one-stop retail solutions agency for brands serious about success.
What excites you about working at Retailbound, and how did you first hear about it?
I first discovered Retailbound through social media. Yohan Jacob and his team were already well known as a trusted, connected, and results-driven retail agency.
What excites me most about working here is that it allows me to combine my experience across multiple areas of business. For over 15 years, I’ve connected high-quality companies with services that help them grow — both in the U.S. and Europe.
Retailbound is the premier retail channel management agency on the market today. It enables me to offer a proven, high-quality solution that helps companies achieve their retail goals.
But what truly motivates me is working with startups and early-stage brands. Over the past decade, I’ve co-founded five startups, built investor decks, crafted go-to-market strategies, and successfully raised capital. Being able to help the next generation of entrepreneurs is incredibly rewarding.
Earlier in my career, I also worked as a retail buyer and retail leasing agent. Sitting across the table from brands, I learned firsthand what it takes to succeed in retail — and that passion still drives me today.
How would you describe Retailbound in one sentence?
“A retail solutions agency dedicated to helping companies not just enter — but succeed — in retail.”
How do you see the retail industry evolving, and where does Retailbound fit in?
As Mark Twain once said, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” The same can be said about brick-and-mortar retail.
Despite predictions of its decline, retail sales continue to rise and physical stores are expanding. The future of retail lies not in a single channel but in a strategic blend of revenue streams — in-store, online, mobile, and beyond.
Just as media spans TV, streaming, radio, and social platforms, the modern retail landscape includes eCommerce, physical retail, catalog sales, cable shopping, and rewards programs.
Retailbound helps brands navigate this multi-channel environment, ensuring they create the right mix for long-term retail success.
How is Retailbound different from other retail agencies?
Retailbound isn’t a distributor, manufacturer’s rep, or digital marketing firm. We’re a team of former big-box retail buyers who truly understand how retail works — and what it takes to get products on shelves and keep them there.
Our insider knowledge helps brands crack the retail code faster and more effectively than traditional agencies.
Ready to scale your brand in retail?
If you’re looking to grow your retail presence but don’t have the time, experience, or buyer connections, Retailbound can help.
👉 Contact Robert Bruza at rbruza@retailbound.com to schedule a call and learn how our team can help you succeed in retail.
