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.

Jenny Longo Promoted to VP of Private Brands at Longo’s

Jenny Longo has been promoted to vice president, of private brands at Canadian grocer Longo’s. Her prior role was senior director of private brands, culinary innovation, and central kitchen. Longo has worked with the organization for close to 15 years. Longo's owns and operates 36 stores, most in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including

Jenny Longo Promoted to VP of Private Brands at Longo’s2023-06-22T09:36:02-04:00

Get Dinspired! Sainsbury’s Pop-Up Offers Meal Kits & Gives Back

Next stop, dinnertime? Research by British grocer Sainsbury’s has revealed that deciding what to cook for dinner is high on the agenda for commuters, with 74% saying they think about their evening mealtime on their journey home. Mid-week dinners seem to be missing variety due to this on-the-go attitude, with 63% of Brits admitting

Get Dinspired! Sainsbury’s Pop-Up Offers Meal Kits & Gives Back2023-06-21T15:25:05-04:00

Natural Grocers Expands its Retailer-owned Brand into Sparkling Water

Just in time for summer, Natural Grocers introduced its Natural Grocers Brand Sparkling Spring Water to the retailer's brand. Customers looking to up their summer hydration needs at an Always Affordable Price can enjoy Natural Grocers Brand Sparkling Water in two bubbly sizes: 16 oz. and 25.3 oz. NATURAL GROCERS BRAND PRODUCTS SPARKLING WATER

Natural Grocers Expands its Retailer-owned Brand into Sparkling Water2023-06-20T14:49:18-04:00

Japanese Baker Taguchi Acquires Private Brand Manufacturer Brooklyn Brands

Japanese baker Taguchi & Co. has acquired private brand manufacturer Brooklyn Brands for eight figures, the move that will expand both company's North American and global presence. Brooklyn Brands produces for retailers nationwide, including Albertsons, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, and Wegmans. Founder Seth Zalkin wrote in an email to Forbes

Japanese Baker Taguchi Acquires Private Brand Manufacturer Brooklyn Brands2023-06-20T15:19:12-04:00

Join us in Austin for the Sustainability Summit 2023

In this fourth edition of the Velocity Institute Sustainability Summit, we laser focus on Retailer-owned Brand (Private Brand) and Sustainability. The Sustainability Summit is designed to bring the industry together to accelerate Sustainability, share best practices, and explore the future. Join us live and in-person to learn, network, and discuss at the Hilton Austin

Join us in Austin for the Sustainability Summit 20232023-06-19T16:20:03-04:00

Shrimp Boom Bah at Trader Joe’s

Every now and then, Trader Joe’s introduces something so exciting, so enchanting, so ebulliently electrifying, that the retailer can’t help but become its biggest cheerleader. That’s certainly the case for Trader Joe’s Shrimp Boom Bah, a sweet, spicy, and satisfyingly crispy dish that’s just as fun to eat as it is to say. Each

Shrimp Boom Bah at Trader Joe’s2023-06-19T16:03:31-04:00

Tesco shoppers called to help raise vital funds in charity’s fight against food allergies

Tesco shoppers are being encouraged to help an ongoing in-store and online allergy awareness and fundraising campaign in early June to support medical research into food allergies. For the fourth year running, Tesco is working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation by donating 10p from every Tesco-owned Brand Free From product customers purchase in

Tesco shoppers called to help raise vital funds in charity’s fight against food allergies2023-06-19T15:52:48-04:00

Pottery Barn Teen Launches Largest Dorm Collection

Pottery Barn Teen, a retailer owned by of Williams-Sonoma announced last week the launch of the brand’s largest dorm collection to date. Pottery Barn Teen offers more ways than ever to prepare for college with a new assortment that features dorm bedding, bath, storage, and decorating essentials. Customers can shop the new dorm collection online,

Pottery Barn Teen Launches Largest Dorm Collection2023-06-18T14:42:49-04:00

Whole Foods Announces Annual Supplier All-Star Awards

Whole Foods Market announced last week the recipients of its annual Supplier All-Star Awards, recognizing 15 suppliers that raise the industry bar for quality, innovation, value, and social responsibility. They are aligned with Whole Foods Market’s Core Values, such as caring for local communities and practicing win-win partnerships. This year’s recipients, who are being honored

Whole Foods Announces Annual Supplier All-Star Awards2023-06-18T14:41:51-04:00

Walmart and Sam’s Club Raise Tuna Supply Chains Standards

Bentonville-based retailers Walmart and Sam’s Club are dedicated to delivering products that are more sustainably sourced, including key seafood commodities that provide protein, nutrition, and income for hundreds of millions of people around the world. This week the pair announced stronger standards aimed at improving transparency and data gathering in the tuna supply chain to

Walmart and Sam’s Club Raise Tuna Supply Chains Standards2023-06-15T14:45:19-04:00