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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Pandemic creates a greater taste for Waitrose Organic

[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"]UK grocer Waitrose has reported that more shoppers than ever are seeking out organic food and drink,  with the pandemic forced lockdown feeding a growing interest in provenance,  animal welfare - and with it shoppers’ appetite for organic food. Recent OnePoll research by Waitrose revealed

Pandemic creates a greater taste for Waitrose Organic2021-09-15T09:39:51-04:00

New York Fashion Week Is Going Home…With Lowe’s & Private Brand

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="|||1px||"][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" custom_margin="||-27px|||"]At a time when home has become the new epicenter of personal style, home improvement retailer Lowe's and New York Fashion Week: The Shows have come together to reimagine one of fashion's most iconic moments, transporting high fashion from the runway to the

New York Fashion Week Is Going Home…With Lowe’s & Private Brand2021-09-15T09:39:51-04:00

The new fall collection from Target’s “Threshold – Designed with Studio McGee”

[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"]Shea McGee is a life-long Target fan. And this spring, the talented designer realized a major dream: launching the private brand “Threshold – designed with Studio McGee” at Target. (It’s a multi-year partnership where Shea and Studio McGee—the interior design firm she runs with husband Syd McGee—bring their

The new fall collection from Target’s “Threshold – Designed with Studio McGee”2021-09-15T09:39:51-04:00

The Fresh Market Takes At Home Dining To The Next Level

[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"]With fewer people eating out and cooking at home more than they ever have (or wanted to), Greensboro, NC based grocer The Fresh Market has quickly become known for their restaurant-quality private brand meals that take the guesswork out of dinnertime. “While these are unprecedented

The Fresh Market Takes At Home Dining To The Next Level2021-09-15T09:39:51-04:00

Imperfect Foods – Head of Private Brand and Product Development

[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"]   Imperfect Foods was founded in 2015 with a mission to reduce food waste and build a better food system for everyone. We offer imperfect (yet delicious) produce, affordable pantry items, and quality meat and dairy. We deliver them conveniently to our customers’ doorsteps

Imperfect Foods – Head of Private Brand and Product Development2021-12-15T20:03:02-05:00

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

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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