#034 - How next-generation retail looks like, with Vibhu Norby of b8ta, USA

The Hardware Entrepreneur · 2 Aug 2017 · 37m

What this episode covers

Vibhu Norby, co-founder of b8ta and former Nest engineer, explains how his company is reversing the decline of brick-and-mortar retail by treating stores as software-powered platforms for hardware brands. He details the conflict of interest between traditional retailers and brands, describing b8ta’s model where brands retain 100% of sales revenue while paying a subscription fee for access to b8ta’s data analytics and customer engagement tools. Norby discusses the critical importance of the 'demo-to-sale' conversion rate, the mistakes made during b8ta’s early validation phase, and the necessity of planning for rapid success to avoid operational bottlenecks.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Product Startup · 26m

    111: Selling & Growing Your Product at Retail Stores

    Yohan Jacob, founder of RetailBound, explains how emerging hardware brands can scale sales after securing retail placement with major chains like Walmart, Best Buy, and Costco. He outlines three critical KPIs for buyers—top-line revenue, profit, and inventory turns—and details strategies to drive them, including marketing, sales associate training, and planogram compliance. Jacob emphasizes that early-stage companies should prioritize revenue growth and market share over immediate profitability, leveraging local PR and 'guerrilla marketing' to build momentum before expanding nationally.

  • Product Startup · 21m

    094: How New Startup Products Get Into Big Retailers

    Yohan Jacob, Founder and President of RetailBound, explains how emerging hardware brands can secure placement in major retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. He outlines the critical differences between institutional retail and marketplaces, emphasizing that retailers look for unique products, sufficient capitalization, and responsive teams. Jacob details the three key metrics buyers evaluate: revenue/profitability, past sales history, and marketing plans to drive awareness. He also stresses that getting into retail is just the beginning, requiring aggressive post-sale marketing to ensure sell-through and long-term success.

  • Product Startup · 21m

    183: Getting a New Hardware Product into Retail Stores

    Yohan Jacob, founder of RetailBound, explains how emerging hardware brands can leverage retail stores for legitimacy and volume, drawing on his 30 years of experience as a buyer for Sears and OfficeMax. He argues that retail is not dead but has evolved into an omni-channel model, offering physical touchpoints and impulse buy opportunities that online sales cannot replicate. Jacob advises startups to start small, perhaps via retail marketplaces like Walmart or Best Buy, to prove sales velocity and supply chain reliability before negotiating broader shelf space. He emphasizes that long-term profitability comes from scaling volume to negotiate lower manufacturing costs, rather than expecting high margins on initial small orders.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 38m

    Investor Spotlight: Brian Bustamante-Nicholson, Greycroft

    Brian Bustamante-Nicholson, a partner at Greycroft leading their consumer investment strategy, explains that the firm targets growth-stage consumer brands generating $5-15 million in revenue with strong product-market fit signals. He details the core diligence pillars, including velocities, cohort behavior, and unit economics, using portfolio company Array, an anti-aging hair care brand, as a case study for capital efficiency and retail transition. Bustamante-Nicholson argues that in oversaturated categories like skincare and beverage, retail distribution serves as a critical moat, while also discussing how AI-driven 'agentic commerce' rewards brands with established digital footprints and trust.

  • TRADEOFFS · 55m

    T-25-006 : Yohan Jacob - Consumer Electronics Buyer to Retail Channel Product Launcher

    Yohan Jacob, founder of Retail Bound, shares insights from his 32-year career as a consumer electronics buyer and consultant, helping brands launch into major retailers like Best Buy, Costco, and Target. He discusses the critical trade-offs in retail strategy, including managing cash flow with net-90 payment terms, avoiding the pitfalls of rushing products to market for CES, and the importance of post-purchase support to prevent high return rates. Jacob uses case studies of companies like Cujo, Upright, and Canary to illustrate how pricing, margin structures, and buyer relationships determine long-term success or failure in brick-and-mortar channels.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Hardware Entrepreneur. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.