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Luis Jesus Garcia is director of business growth at Via Trading, a wholesale supplier of liquidated inventory.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? Ever wonder what happens to the products you return after the holiday season? Or the items that quietly sit on a retailer’s shelves for months—then suddenly vanish? That’s my world. I work in what we call the reverse logistics industry, helping give those products a second life instead of letting them go to waste.
One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? Sometimes I think I work in retail’s witness protection program.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Over my career, I’ve seen thousands of trucks and millions of SKUs—but I’ve only encountered this once: figuring out how in the world we were going to give thousands of open-box toilets a second life. Luckily, the majority were never used. Definitely one of the most memorable (and unexpected) projects I’ve worked on.
Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? On a serious note, it’s AI. We’re at the beginning of a major shift. We’ve never had this level of accessibility with just a few clicks, and it’s already reshaping the industry. AI is also making real noise upstream, helping retailers and manufacturers see reverse logistics not as a liability, but as a legitimate revenue stream on their books.
What’s your go-to coffee order? If I must, espresso. No sugar. No distractions.
Worst piece of advice you’ve received? In my senior year of high school, I had an English teacher in her late 30s who said, “I can’t wait for tenure.” Some of us asked why, and she said, “Because I won’t need to do anything, and I’ll have a job for life.” At that moment, at the age of 17, I realized how the world is filled with opportunities, and that it’s only mindset that separates us.
What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? I don’t think I was ever really a “consumer,” which is ironic because I now make a living off consumers changing their minds and retailers occasionally being a little too optimistic with their purchasing. If I had to pick, it would be soccer balls. I had a new one every few months, thanks to my mom! Now, it’s shoes. I buy a new pair about every two weeks—from sneakers to loafers.