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.

Gopuff Expands Basically

Gopuff, the fast-growing rapid delivery retailer launched its first (Retail Brand) private brand program in 2022, aptly called ‘Basically’, which includes everything from bottled water to batteries. Basically, whatever you need – they have it. The Basically brand architecture is very clever. Colorful geometric patterning lays the groundwork for this capable and refreshing new brand.

Gopuff Expands Basically2022-08-01T15:06:33-04:00

Register Now for the FREE Virtual Velocity Institute Design 2022 Summit

Join us for our exciting slate of in person and virtual events three virtual events each laser focused on private brand: DESIGN 2022, TECH 2022 and STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2022, The Sustainability Summit in Cincinnati and in person Meet Ups in Boston, Minneapolis and Chicago to round out an exciting slate of seven

Register Now for the FREE Virtual Velocity Institute Design 2022 Summit2022-07-31T12:51:36-04:00

South African Grocer Pick n Pay Launches Premium Private Brand

South African Grocer Pick n Pay has expanded its private label offering with a more premium range dubbed Crafted Collection. Promising "a premium taste intertwined with affordability", the Crafted Collection has been designed to drive innovation and differentiation within the newly revamped middle- to top-end Pick n Pay stores. The new Crafted Collection by

South African Grocer Pick n Pay Launches Premium Private Brand2022-07-31T12:48:43-04:00

Walmart Executive Marty Esarte to Lead Walgreens Private Brand

Walgreens announced on Friday that Marty Esarte will join the retailer at the end of August as group vice president of Owned Brands, leading the organization's Retail Brand (private brand) strategy. “We look forward to Marty joining our team to lead our owned brand business toward further growth and innovation, said Luke Rauch, chief

Walmart Executive Marty Esarte to Lead Walgreens Private Brand2022-07-30T07:28:38-04:00

You are invited! Velocity Meet Up in Minneapolis

Please join us for our first exciting in person Velocity Institute Meetup in Minneapolis. This year's FREE networking events will be held in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Boston and are designed to bring the industry together over cocktails and conversations. We welcome all private brand executives from Retailers, Manufacturers & Solutions Partners to come together,

You are invited! Velocity Meet Up in Minneapolis2022-07-28T19:17:34-04:00

Cultural Icons tWitch And Allison Boss Partner With DSG, DICK’s Sporting Goods’ Private Brand

DICK'S Sporting Goods announced a partnership with Stephen 'tWitch' and Allison Boss for its family athleisure brand, DSG. To kick off the partnership, the celebrity dance couple choreographed a TikTok dance challenge set to Young MC's Bust A Move to celebrate International Dance Day. "DSG is a brand that's inclusive, diverse and gives back

Cultural Icons tWitch And Allison Boss Partner With DSG, DICK’s Sporting Goods’ Private Brand2022-07-28T19:07:29-04:00

Wawa and Cape May Brewing pour “Shore Tea” Hard Beverage

Iconic convenience retailer Wawa and Cape May Brewing Company announced its first collaboration and release of a limited-edition “Shore Tea,” hard tea beverage at Wawa’s Grand Opening of its newest beer store in Bucks County, Cape May Brewing Co. Tasting Room and select retailers. Made with Wawa’s signature Retail Brand (private brand) Peach Iced Tea

Wawa and Cape May Brewing pour “Shore Tea” Hard Beverage2022-07-27T16:32:44-04:00

Big Lots Highlights Private Brands in Back to College

Big Lots one of America's largest home discount retailers, announced today an expanded offering of campus living essentials for students moving to campuses across the country this fall. The brand has modified its store space to include a "back-to-campus center," where students and families can find deals on everything needed for their dorm room or

Big Lots Highlights Private Brands in Back to College2022-07-27T16:31:58-04:00

Trader Joe’s Innovates with Vegan Brioche Loaf

There’s a reason that bakers take great pride in their brioche. Rich, fluffy, and full of buttery sweetness, a good brioche is as elegantly delicious to eat as it is tricky to make — and it’s even trickier if you’re making a totally vegan version. Luckily, Trader Joe's know some of the best bakers in

Trader Joe’s Innovates with Vegan Brioche Loaf2022-07-25T16:54:50-04:00

Marks & Spencer Launches Recyclable Tomato Packaging

British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is announcing a further move to make its grocery products more sustainable with the introduction of new widely recyclable packaging for its private brand British Collection vine tomatoes.The new packaging replaces a hard-to-recycle plastic sleeve with recyclable cardboard and a small amount of plastic film, just enough to preserve

Marks & Spencer Launches Recyclable Tomato Packaging2022-07-25T16:54:22-04:00