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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Velocity Talks with Solange Ackrill of Club Coffee

Welcome to Velocity Talks a weekly interview series in which Velocity Institute President Christopher Durham discusses the state of private brand, retail, and careers with retail executives and thought leaders from around the world. This week we return to conversation in 2023 with Solange Ackrill, Vice President Marketing and Corporate Strategy, Club Coffee.If you

Velocity Talks with Solange Ackrill of Club Coffee2023-02-16T16:39:30-05:00

Treehouse Foods Energized by Private Brand

Earlier this week TreeHouse Foods, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022. Steve Oakland, TreeHouse Foods Chief Executive Officer and President, said, "I'm incredibly proud to have closed out 2022 as a more focused company, operating in faster growing, more profitable categories. Today, we are better positioned

Treehouse Foods Energized by Private Brand2023-02-16T16:17:53-05:00

Conscious Consumerism Goes Mainstream – Fair Trade USA

Fair Trade USA has released its new 2022 Consumer Insights Report: An Investment in Trust: Conscious Consumerism Goes Mainstream Despite Economic Headwinds. The report examines the continuing drive of today's consumers in their ethical quest to purchase fair trade products. Key findings from the report show conscious consumerism moving into the mainstream, with a wider range of consumers intentionally

Conscious Consumerism Goes Mainstream – Fair Trade USA2023-02-16T15:27:57-05:00

IKEA Collabs with Marimekko

IKEA and Marimekko launch the BASTUA collection, which is inspired by Nordic nature, wellness, and self-care rituals. The Retail-owned Brand (private brand) limited-edition collection consists of 26 products with vibrant prints, ranging from furniture, glassware, and textiles. The range will be available in the US and globally starting March 2023. The BASTUA collaboration

IKEA Collabs with Marimekko2023-02-15T19:03:28-05:00

Sofidel Ranks Best in Household Products Industry for ESG Risk Rating

Sofidel, a global household products company and private brand manufacturer received a ESG Risk Rating of 13.6 from Morningstar Sustainalytics, ranking it first out of over 120 companies in the Household Products industry. The rating recognized Sofidel for its strong commitment to the preservation of biodiversity, anti-corruption strategies, transparency, and efforts to fight climate

Sofidel Ranks Best in Household Products Industry for ESG Risk Rating2023-02-15T14:40:33-05:00

H-E-B 2023 Big Game Commercials Target Love for Private Brand Favorites

For Texas grocer H-E-B, this year’s Big Game commercials get into the hearts, minds, and stomachs of shoppers, providing some humor to reveal the lengths serious H-E-B fans will go to enjoy their favorite H-E-B Retail-owned Brand (private brand) products. Set to a hit country song that conveys deep desire and yearning and lends another

H-E-B 2023 Big Game Commercials Target Love for Private Brand Favorites2023-02-14T15:32:28-05:00

Aldi UK’s Sell-Out Oysters Return for Valentine’s Day

Attention seafood lovers – Aldi UK’s fan-favorite Specially Selected Oysters (£3.99, 6 pack) made their much-anticipated return to stores on February 11th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The retailer urged shoppers to pick up the bargain aphrodisiac treats while they can, as the popular oysters sold out in just four days last year. Perfect

Aldi UK’s Sell-Out Oysters Return for Valentine’s Day2023-02-14T14:04:03-05:00

Michaels Crafts to Host Inaugural Innovation Summit

Craft and hobby retailer Michaels is hosting its first-ever Innovation Summit in collaboration with RangeMe and ECRM to discover new and unique products to add to its assortment. “Michaels is always on the lookout for the latest and greatest products to empower our customers to bring all of their creative dreams to life, whether

Michaels Crafts to Host Inaugural Innovation Summit2023-02-14T13:50:07-05:00

RSVP NOW for the Florida Meet Up

You are invited to our first event of 2023, the FREE Velocity Florida Meetup, on March 23, 2023. Meet and mingle with private brand industry Retailers, Manufacturers & Solution Partners at the Funky Buddha Brewery. The networking event is designed to bring the private brand industry together over craft brew, cocktails, and conversation. There

RSVP NOW for the Florida Meet Up2023-02-13T20:08:03-05:00

Introducing Store & Order

Storage is worth £1.5 billion in the UK alone and is forecast to grow. An opportunity for a new storage and organizational retail brand, tapping into the consumer desire to be tidy, organized, and house proud was identified.Following the rise in cleaning and organization influencers, consumers have found satisfaction in tidying and organizing their homes

Introducing Store & Order2023-02-13T20:04:45-05:00

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.

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