Millionaire University

How to Get Your Product on the Store Shelves of a Big-Box Retailer | Jay Yung

Nov 13, 2025
Guest
Jay Yung
In this insightful chat, retail expert Jay Yung, founder of Evergreen Retail Solutions, shares his journey from owning a surf shop in Hawaii to managing merchandise at Walmart. He reveals what big-box buyers seek in products and highlights the critical role of packaging in driving sales. Jay emphasizes the importance of avoiding inventory pitfalls, spotting winning products, and strategically selecting retailers. He advises starting local before scaling up, ensuring strong branding and clear messaging throughout the process.
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ANECDOTE

From Surf Shop To Walmart Merchant

  • Jay Yung started with a surf shop and smoothie stand in Hawaii before interning at Sam's Club and joining Walmart's merchant program.
  • His Walmart toy-department experience taught him the full retail ecosystem and how many roles it takes to move a product to customers.
INSIGHT

Retail Merchants Operate As Mini Companies

  • Retail merchant teams function like a small company with a buyer (CEO), financial planner (CFO), and an operations lead (COO).
  • Execution matters: the COO role verifies feasibility, timing, and logistics before a product reaches shelves.
ADVICE

Make Ideas Sellable Before Scaling

  • If you want to scale, focus on execution and fill the gaps in packaging, pricing, and supply chain before chasing big buyers.
  • Treat an idea as a daydream until you build a reliable way to sell and deliver it to customers.
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