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.
XLinkedInEmail

Target Reports “exceptional” Q2 Results and Remarkable Private Brand Growth

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0"]Yesterday (August 19, 2020) Minneapolis based Target held its Q2 2020 Target Corp Earnings Call, a call in which the retailer reported “exceptional” results and remarkable private brand growth. In transcripts from the call Chairman & CEO, Brian Cornell reports “Thanks, John, and good

Target Reports “exceptional” Q2 Results and Remarkable Private Brand Growth2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Heston’s Full English Sandwich arrives at Waitrose & Partners

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]For Brits who love a Full English breakfast, there’s a new sandwich from Waitrose's private brand collaboration with celebrity chef Heston Blumnthal. The sandwich was developed to satisfy cravings for this most British of breakfasts. Available at Waitrose and Waitrose.com from 19th August, the Heston

Heston’s Full English Sandwich arrives at Waitrose & Partners2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Tokmanni and Europris Tap CBX for PLM

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]​​​​​​​Tokmanni, the largest general discount retailer in Finland and Europris, the largest general discount retailer in Norway have selected CBX Software's Product Lifecycle Management (Retail PLM) solution. Tokmanni and Europris are both well-known throughout Finland and Norway, offering their customers an inspirational shopping experience for all retail sales

Tokmanni and Europris Tap CBX for PLM2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Kroger Commits Private Brands to 100% recyclable, compostable and/or reusable packaging

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]Yesterday The Kroger Co. today released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting progress toward its sustainability goals and confirming the company's commitment to creating communities free of hunger and waste. Kroger's 2020 report leads with an updated materiality assessment, outlining the ESG topics

Kroger Commits Private Brands to 100% recyclable, compostable and/or reusable packaging2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Hy-Vee Pours Up Private Brand Kombucha

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0"]Midwestern grocer Hy-Vee has introduced a new range of private brand Kombucha. The fermented beverage is made from tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. The final product is a slightly sweet, tart, and slightly vinegar-tasting carbonated drink. The Hy-Vee line includes 5 flavors: Pineapple Passionfruit,

Hy-Vee Pours Up Private Brand Kombucha2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Love’s Expands Private Brand

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0"]Oklahoma City-based gas and convenience retailer Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores now has more snack and drink options available for customers with the expansion of its Love's private brand range. New candy and water options are now available. "We listen to what our

Love’s Expands Private Brand2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

CVS Removes Controversial Ingredients from Sunscreen

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]CVS announced this week that it has met its 2020 goal of removing the controversial ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate from nearly 60 of its private brand sunscreens. And while the retailer had initially promised to fulfill the commitment by the end of 2020, it just

CVS Removes Controversial Ingredients from Sunscreen2021-09-15T09:39:52-04:00

Waitrose Private Brand Leads A frosty debate

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]It’s a well-known fact that when a heatwave hits and the UK is basking in balmy temperatures, the nation looks to indulge in its frozen favorites. But as the debate continues over what is actually classed as an ‘ice lolly’, (popsicle) supermarket Waitrose has introduced

Waitrose Private Brand Leads A frosty debate2021-09-15T09:39:53-04:00

Office Depot – Product Manager

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0"]Brand: Office DepotReference Number: 29343Category: MerchandisingPosition Type: FULL_TIMELocation: 6600 N Military TrailBoca Raton, FL Located just minutes from the beach in sunny Boca Raton, FL, the Office Depot corporate campus measures 625,000 square feet and includes a state-of-the-art dining area and wellness center. The campus is home to a diverse

Office Depot – Product Manager2021-12-15T20:03:04-05:00

SPAR Austria Reduces 1,270 Tons of Sugar in Private brand Products

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0"]Since the beginning of 2017, SPAR Austria has removed a total of 1,270 tons of sugar across 300 SPAR private brand products. Now, the retailer has gone one step further and, where possible, has set sugar limits for individual product categories. So far, more

SPAR Austria Reduces 1,270 Tons of Sugar in Private brand Products2021-09-15T09:39:53-04:00

Join the Institute

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.

© Copyright 2025 | Velocity Institute