#020 - Executing lean and agile retail growth for your startup or SME, with Benjamin Ertl of Retailbound, USA
Benjamin Ertl, Director of Business Development at Retailbound, explains how his company acts as an outsourced retail team for hardware startups, managing 'sell-through' and channel management to keep products on shelves. He details Retailbound's 'Managed Retail Marketing' service, which costs $800 a week plus commissions, helping international clients navigate complex retail environments without hiring full-time staff. Ertl advises startups to adopt a 'slow burn strategy,' focusing on online channels and specialty retailers first to build sales history before pursuing big-box stores like Best Buy or Walmart. He also discusses the importance of retail coaching for early-stage companies and the cultural adaptations required when working with global clients from regions like Russia, Hong Kong, and Germany.