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.

Thanks for the Great 2022

2022 was a huge year for Velocity Institute – not only for our team but for our members and the entire Retail-owned Brand industry. Thank you for making our favorite moments from this year possible, and for being a part of our fast-growing modern association. Before we jump into 2023, let’s look back at

Thanks for the Great 20222022-12-21T15:39:52-05:00

Holiday Savings at Kroger with Retail-owned Brands

This week Kroger shared how it is helping shoppers save as they prepare for the holidays, including affordable meal ideas while families enjoy time together. For families looking for easy, affordable meals during winter break, Kroger is suggesting options to feed a family of four at an average cost of approximately $10 per meal, including

Holiday Savings at Kroger with Retail-owned Brands2022-12-20T19:36:50-05:00

Target Celebrates with Holiday Meals

As the holidays fast approach, Target is leveraging its Retail -owned Brands to help shoppers affordably celebrate by offering a Holiday dinner for $25 beginning now through Dec. 25, which includes a premium 6-pound ham plus essential sides and dessert. Additionally, Target is offering an assortment of Holiday sides under $5 to help complete a

Target Celebrates with Holiday Meals2022-12-19T16:17:50-05:00

Daymon: Brand Strategy Manager, Private Labe

Summary Hybrid position based in Stamford, CT area; relocation not provided The Brand Strategy Manager will support the development of brand and marketing strategies and program initiatives to position the Company as the brand-building expert in the Private Brand marketplace. This individual will be responsible for providing strategic brand and marketing support to our

Daymon: Brand Strategy Manager, Private Labe2022-12-19T16:16:18-05:00

Sainsbury’s ramps up removal of single-use plastic lids, saving 71m pieces of plastic annually

UK grocer Sainsbury’s will be removing more single-use plastic lids from its Retail-owned brand ranges, with dips set to be the next product that will see the change. From March 2023, household favorites such as guacamole, tzatziki and sour cream and chive dip will no longer be sold with single-use plastic lids. Since 2019

Sainsbury’s ramps up removal of single-use plastic lids, saving 71m pieces of plastic annually2022-12-18T19:28:49-05:00

Circle K Canada Scores with Hockey Themed Chip Promotion

Late last month Circle K Canada introduced a new marketing campaign featuring its Retailer-owned Brand Circle K Chips. The promotion is designed to lure salty snack lovers with prizes that include a hockey bag full of private brand potato chips. The campaign Drink. Snack. Score is now in stores and has more than 20,000 daily

Circle K Canada Scores with Hockey Themed Chip Promotion2022-12-15T19:06:02-05:00

Topco’s Crav’n Flavor Sponsors New Year’s Live: Nashville’s Big Bash

Topco-owned private brand Crav’n Flavor announced this week that it is a sponsor of Jack Daniel’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash produced by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. This type of sponsorship is a first for the brand and one that is not often seen in the private brand space. “We are

Topco’s Crav’n Flavor Sponsors New Year’s Live: Nashville’s Big Bash2022-12-15T18:47:09-05:00

Vertex Awards Announces 2023 Judging Panel

For the 10th anniversary edition of the Vertex Awards, we have expanded the international voice and added judges from around the world to expand the global perspective of the judging panel. This year’s panel of 24 judges includes design luminaries from eight countries each tasked with holding entrants to the higher standards for design. Standards

Vertex Awards Announces 2023 Judging Panel2022-12-15T12:58:48-05:00

Lassonde Pappas Expands Juice Plant

Lassonde Industries Inc., a manufacturer of fruit juices and drinks has confirmed the expansion of its Mountain Home Industrial Park location, according to a news release. The $55 million project includes the construction of a new facility as well as the addition of a new production line. ‘’We are grateful to Henderson County for

Lassonde Pappas Expands Juice Plant2022-12-14T18:43:21-05:00

BJs Wholesale Club Posts 4 Jobs

Since pioneering the warehouse club model in New England in 1984, East Coast warehouse club operator BJ’s Wholesale Club Since has grown their footprint to large-format, high volume warehouse clubs spanning 18 states. The Vertex Award winning retailer continues its commitment to Retail-owned Brands and their growth with the four jobs below. Own Brand Manager-

BJs Wholesale Club Posts 4 Jobs2022-12-14T18:42:23-05:00