Velocity Institute

About Christopher Durham

Christopher Durham is the president of the Velocity Institute. Prior to this he founded the groundbreaking site My Private Brand. He is the co-founder of The Vertex Awards. He began his retail career building brands at Food Lion and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Durham has worked with retailers around the world, including Albertsons, Family Dollar, Petco, Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, Metro Canada. Durham has published seven definitive books on private brands, including Fifty2: The My Private Brand Project and Vanguard: Vintage Originals.
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William Sonoma Innovates with Product and Design

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_image src="https://velocityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WilliamsSonoma_PaellaMix1.jpg" title_text="WilliamsSonoma_PaellaMix1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]Earlier this year Williams Sonoma introduced an updated look for several of their private brand products a Paella Mix and an innovative wine-inspired pan sauce range. The new designs were created by San Francisco based design agency Pavement. The motif for

William Sonoma Innovates with Product and Design2021-09-15T09:39:48-04:00

Aldi Announces 30 Advent Calendars and National Advent Calendar Day

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]Once again, this year discount grocer Aldi's will release it’s private brand Holiday Advent Calendars. After the last few years of almost instantaneous sell outs the calendars have taken on a mythic quality that is one-part urban legend and one-part pure holiday fun. The retailer

Aldi Announces 30 Advent Calendars and National Advent Calendar Day2021-09-15T09:39:48-04:00

Aldi U.S. Commits To Ambitious Circular Economy Goals By 2025

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]ALDI U.S. has joined the U.S. Plastics Pact, a collaborative, solutions-driven initiative aimed at creating a path towards a circular economy for plastics in the United States by 2025. The first North American Pact of its kind, the U.S. Plastics Pact is a

Aldi U.S. Commits To Ambitious Circular Economy Goals By 20252021-09-15T09:39:48-04:00

New Retailer PlantX Bring Brings Plant Based Foods Focus.

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]PlantX, a new plant-based products retailer and cafe will open its first U.S. location in San Diego in December 1, 2020. The retail brand is brought to life by a partnership between its Canadian ecommerce owner Vegaste Technologies Corp. and Liv Marketplace LLC. The retailer

New Retailer PlantX Bring Brings Plant Based Foods Focus.2021-09-15T09:39:48-04:00

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen Quotes My Private Brand Exclusive Research in Q2 Earnings Call

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]This past Friday, Sep 11, 2020, Cincinnati based grocer Kroger conducted its Q2 2020 Earnings Call. Speaking about the results Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen "Each day I'm inspired by the work our incredible associates do to bring to life our purpose, to

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen Quotes My Private Brand Exclusive Research in Q2 Earnings Call2021-09-15T09:39:49-04:00

CNN Investigation Uncovers AmazonBasics Safety Hazards

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]Late last week CNN published the investigative report “Dozens of Amazon's own products have been reported as dangerous -- melting, exploding or even bursting into flames. Many are still on the market” revealing possible safety issues with Amazon’s private brand AmazonBasics products. According to the

CNN Investigation Uncovers AmazonBasics Safety Hazards2021-09-15T09:39:49-04:00

Target Takes Bold Steps to Increase Black Representation Across the Retailer

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="|auto|-40px|auto||" custom_padding="||0px|||"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]The team at Minneapolis based Target has long been working to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for all. It’s something they have championed for many years through their diversity and inclusion goals—and already this year they have pledged to accelerate that

Target Takes Bold Steps to Increase Black Representation Across the Retailer2021-09-15T09:39:49-04:00

Dutch Grocer Jumbo Innovates with “Brood van Brood”

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]Dutch grocer Jumbo Supermarkten is testing the “Brood van Brood” (Bread of Bread) concept. Jumbo uses return bread to bake new, fresh bread. Initially, it concerns Jumbo private brand Knip Wit and Knip Whole grain bread. With this pilot Jumbo wants to further combat waste in its food

Dutch Grocer Jumbo Innovates with “Brood van Brood”2021-09-15T09:39:49-04:00

Amazon – Sr. Product Manager Private Label

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.1" _module_preset="default"]Job ID: 1263864 | Amazon.com Services LLC DESCRIPTION Do you want to be at the forefront of building a global business from the ground up? Do you like to invent and Think Big to take an idea from concept to reality for Amazon customers? Come

Amazon – Sr. Product Manager Private Label2021-12-15T20:02:57-05:00

Amazon Commits to Health and Wellness With Halo

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.6.0" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.6.0" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.6.0" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.6.0" _module_preset="default"]In late August Amazon introduced Amazon Halo, a new service dedicated to helping customers improve their individual health and wellness. Amazon Halo combines a suite of AI-powered health features that provide actionable insights into overall wellness via the new Amazon Halo app with the private brand

Amazon Commits to Health and Wellness With Halo2021-09-15T09:39:49-04:00

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Velocity is the global industry association focused on retailers and their brands across all categories and channels. Velocity is leading the game-changing shift to radically transform the private label industry into RETAIL BRANDCENTRIC & CONSUMER FOCUSED. ALL retailers, manufacturers, and solution partners dedicated to helping to build Retail-owned Brands are invited to join the Institute.

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