Welcome Velocity Live hosted by Christopher Durham and Laraine Durham, where they delve into the latest trends and news in the private brand industry. Broadcasting live on LinkedIn and YouTube, this weekly segment brings the freshest insights and developments surrounding retailer-owned brands. Today’s episode, aired on Wednesday, June 26, covers the significant leadership changes at Target, mixed Q1 results from Kroger, innovative sustainability initiatives by Tesco, exciting summer promotions from Aldi, and Walmart’s foray into the virtual world of Roblox.

To start off, Christopher and Laraine discuss some unique finds in the private brand market, including a nostalgic look at vintage packaging from CVS and Macy’s. This episode features an in-depth look at Target’s leadership reshuffle that positioned executives like Christina Hennington, Rick Gomez, and Lisa Roaf in key roles, potentially impacting upcoming private brand strategies. Kroger’s Q1 results reveal mixed outcomes, with highlights like digital sales growth and new private brand offerings. Featuring prominently is Tesco’s move towards laser-etched avocados to cut down plastic usage and Aldi’s collaboration with grill masters for an elevated summer barbecue experience. Lastly, the duo dives into Walmart’s innovative plan to sell its private brand, No Boundaries, on Roblox, aiming to captivate the Gen Z audience.

Key Takeaways:

• Target’s Leadership Changes: Discover how the major reshuffle at Target, with new roles for Christina Hennington, Rick Gomez, and Lisa Roaf, aims to influence their private brand strategies and market performance.
• Kroger’s Mixed Q1 Results: Learn about Kroger’s modest growth in sales, expansion in digital engagement, and introduction of new private brand items, reflecting their adaptation to market dynamics.
• Tesco’s Laser-Etched Avocados: Uncover Tesco’s eco-friendly initiative to reduce plastic waste with innovative laser-etched avocados and cardboard packaging, set to potentially save millions of plastic pieces annually.
• Aldi’s Summer Grill Promotion: Explore how Aldi is teaming with expert grill masters to enhance customer barbecues this summer, offering a unique blend of convenience and culinary excellence.
• Walmart on Roblox: Understand Walmart’s strategy to modernize and engage a younger audience by launching the no boundaries brand on Roblox, blending real-world and virtual shopping experiences.

Notable Quotes:

Christopher Durham: “Our goal is to be your go-to source for all things private brand. We prefer to call them retailer-owned brands because they are brands that retailers own.”

Laraine Durham: “At our conference, speakers often give us previews of what’s coming or what’s hitting stores, providing that inside information that can be a game-changer.”

Rodney McMullen, CEO of Kroger: “Kroger is delivering exceptional value at a time when many customers need it more than ever, by providing affordable prices with personalized promotions.”

Lisa Gilby, Tesco Avocado Buyer: “We’re excited to reduce plastic waste with these innovative laser-etched avocados and can’t wait to hear what our customers think.”

Scott Patton, VP of National Buying at Aldi: “By giving our shoppers access to expert grill masters, we’re highlighting our offerings to show that our premium assortment delivers on quality.”

Stay connected and immerse yourself in the world of private brands by listening to the full episode and marking your calendars for our weekly updates every Wednesday at 01:00 PM EST. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon on YouTube to never miss an episode!