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.

SAVE $200 with Sustainability Summit Early Bird Rate

SAVE $200 NOW WITH EARLY BIRD TICKETS EARLY BIRD RATE EXPIRES 7.14.2023 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

SAVE $200 with Sustainability Summit Early Bird Rate2023-06-25T16:39:34-04:00

H-E-B Opens Second Fresh Bites

H-E-B continues to roll out its H-E-B Fresh Bites brand with the opening of its second location, which is in Lytle and includes a True Texas Tacos restaurant. With H-E-B Fresh Bites, the San Antonio-based retailer is giving a new look to its H-E-B convenience stores and providing customers more options such as fresh

H-E-B Opens Second Fresh Bites2023-06-25T16:20:41-04:00

McKesson Unveils Foster & Thrive OTC Brand

Earlier this month McKesson announced the launch of Foster & Thrive, a private brand of over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness products. Launching Foster & Thrive consolidates their private brand portfolio eliminating the Health Mart and Sunmark brands. “With nearly 200 years of supply chain excellence, McKesson is uniquely positioned to meet this growing

McKesson Unveils Foster & Thrive OTC Brand2023-06-25T14:27:26-04:00

Boxed and Prince & Spring To Be Auctioned

Assets of online warehouse retailer Boxed Inc., now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, are being auctioned off by intellectual property disposition and valuation firm Hilco Streambank. The suction will be held Monday, July 10. New York-based Hilco said assets for sale include the Boxed’s domain name, customer data, social media accounts, and related items as

Boxed and Prince & Spring To Be Auctioned2023-06-22T14:50:20-04:00

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