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.

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

Save $300 with Velocity Conference Early Bird Tickets

Today we are excited to announce that tickets for the Velocity Conference + Innovation Expo 2023 in Charlotte, NC are officially on sale. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Running May 16-18, 2023, Velocity will bring together industry leaders to BOLDLY accelerate the pace of change in the wake of Covid and uncover Retail-owned

Save $300 with Velocity Conference Early Bird Tickets2023-02-12T18:55:45-05:00

Lowe’s Kobalt Tools Celebrates 25th Years

Last week Lowe’s Home Improvement held its annual Store Managers Meeting at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a part of the gathering Executives and store managers celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Retailers-own Brand (private brand) Kobalt Tools. Attendees documented the celebration across social media with posts on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Lowe’s Kobalt Tools Celebrates 25th Years2023-02-13T14:45:00-05:00

Albert Heijn wins Healthy Innovation Award

Dutch retailer Albert Heijn's Retail-owned Brand (private brand) Smoked Salmon with 25% less salt came first in the prize of the jury at the Healthy Innovation Awards. The smoked salmon was unanimously chosen as the winner because the product makes a strong contribution to health awareness and healthier choices, according to the jury. The

Albert Heijn wins Healthy Innovation Award2023-02-12T18:43:35-05:00

Kroger Private Brands Star in the Perfect Valentine’s Date Night

Kroger today shared the perfect at-home date night this Valentine's Day, curating a romantic Italian-inspired meal complete with the perfect wine pairing and delectable dessert that is sure to please any lovebirds. "From dinner and dessert to flowers and candy, Kroger has everything customers need for a romantic dinner for two," said Juan De

Kroger Private Brands Star in the Perfect Valentine’s Date Night2023-02-09T17:04:15-05:00

DSW Expands Its Retail-Owned Brand Portfolio with Purchase of Keds

Designer Brands, the parent company of retailer DSW, has purchased shoe brand Keds. The acquisition adds the brands to the retailers growing portfolio of Retail-owned Brands as they attempt to double sales of its private brands by 2026. DSW bought Keds from Rockford, footwear manufacturer Wolverine Worldwide. "Our growing strength in owned brands is

DSW Expands Its Retail-Owned Brand Portfolio with Purchase of Keds2023-02-09T17:00:34-05:00