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.

Target Ups Style Game with a New Brand, Future Collective

Looking for fashion inspiration this fall — and beyond? Minneapolis based retailer Target has you covered. Introducing Future Collective — a new, first-of-its-kind Target Retail Brand (private brand) coming to select stores and Target.com on Sept. 11. Target’s well-known as a destination for accessible design and a selection of exclusive, national and private brands. Now

Target Ups Style Game with a New Brand, Future Collective2022-09-12T18:43:44-04:00

BJ’s Wholesale Launches Berkley Jensen Toys

Late last week BJ’s Wholesale Club announced its list of Top 10 Toys for the 2022 holiday and the launch of its own collection of exclusive Berkley Jensen toys. These options will include classic wooden toys, imaginative play favorites, and cuddly stuffed animals. “We are super proud of the fact that this marks the

BJ’s Wholesale Launches Berkley Jensen Toys2022-09-12T18:41:15-04:00

Kroger Private Brand Sales Up by 10.2% Over last Year

This past Friday, September 09, 2022, Kroger Co. held its Q2 2022 Results Conference. The call led by Kroger executives Rodney McMullen, Chairman and CEO, and Gary Millerchip, CFO, detailed the retailer's successful Q2. The Kroger team delivered a strong performance during the quarter, fueled by their strategy Leading with Fresh and Accelerating with Digital.

Kroger Private Brand Sales Up by 10.2% Over last Year2022-09-11T16:33:43-04:00

Kroger Launches Smart Way Discount Brand

Kroger announced late last week Smart Way, a new opening price point Retail Brand (private brand). This range brings together a collection of products from 16 existing brands into one, easy-to-find identity brand. "As our customers face an ongoing inflationary environment, we know they are looking to stretch their dollars further than ever before,"

Kroger Launches Smart Way Discount Brand2022-09-11T16:32:58-04:00

The Beauty of Diversity with Targets new Houston White Collab

Minneapolis-based retailer Target is taking fashion to the next level — and advancing their REACH commitment — with Houston White x Target. The multiyear partnership with North Minneapolis designer, entrepreneur and community-builder Houston White is designed for all shoppers and features menswear-inspired apparel and accessories that reflect Houston’s unique point of view. Houston’s been collaborating

The Beauty of Diversity with Targets new Houston White Collab2022-09-09T15:56:07-04:00

Velocity Talks with James Butcher: Sustainability Summit Preview

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. The series has taken a break through the summer and we are back for the fall. This week’s episode features

Velocity Talks with James Butcher: Sustainability Summit Preview2022-09-08T14:29:42-04:00

Eataly Collabs with Lentini Pizza

A unique collaboration between Turin Italy-based Lentini Pizza and Eataly the Italian food and products mega-retailer. This unique private brand product allows Eataly to bring the original Italian pizza to customers' tables. Each pizza is made by Italian pizza makers following the traditional recipe, then quickly frozen to maintain its taste and properties.For this project

Eataly Collabs with Lentini Pizza2022-09-06T17:24:50-04:00

Metro Canada Discusses its Vertex Awards Publishers Choice: Design2022 On Demand

On August 18, the Velocity Institute brought the global private brand community together virtually to celebrate and discuss package design and branding in 2022. The second annual event, Velocity Institute Design2022 is the only event wholly focused on branding and package design for Retail Brand/private label/private brand/own brands. The event once again featured

Metro Canada Discusses its Vertex Awards Publishers Choice: Design2022 On Demand2022-09-05T07:52:15-04:00