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.

Velocity Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday!

The Velocity Conference and Innovation Expo returns to Charlotte, NC at the Charlotte Convention Center. Book your EARLY BIRD TICKET now to save up to $400 per ticket. EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MARCH 25, 2022. Running May 16-18, 2022, Velocity will be the first private brand event to return to in-person. Velocity will bring together

Velocity Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday!2022-03-20T19:47:15-04:00

Schwan’s Announces Rebrand to Yelloh

Schwan's Home Delivery, a pioneering food-delivery company in the United States, is continuing its commitment to reinvention by announcing its boldest move yet — a new name. Say hello to Yelloh! The Schwan's Home Delivery name and brand identity will begin its transition to Yelloh immediately. The new name and brand identity captures the retailer's

Schwan’s Announces Rebrand to Yelloh2022-03-20T19:45:07-04:00

Ukrainian Retailer EVA – Call for Humanitarian Aid

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had devastating effects on Ukraine, with millions of refugees fleeing the country as well as social and economic chaos. Retail Brands (private brand) are a global phenomenon that has brought us Vertex Award-winning designs from Ukrainian retailer EVA. Eva.ua is a leading perfume and cosmetics chain in Ukraine. The retailer

Ukrainian Retailer EVA – Call for Humanitarian Aid2022-03-17T19:25:52-04:00

Book your Velocity Expo Booth NOW!

Book your Velocity Expo Booth today! The groundbreaking event returns to Charlotte, NC at the Charlotte Convention Center May 16-18, 2022, Velocity will be the first private brand event to be held in-person and the industry is ready to connect. Velocity will bring together retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, agencies, solution providers, everyone from the idea

Book your Velocity Expo Booth NOW!2022-03-17T16:43:59-04:00

Walmart’s 9th Annual Open Call Begins

Small business owners and entrepreneurs with a dream of selling their U.S. made, grown or assembled products to millions of customers now have their chance. This week, Walmart announced the opening of the application period for its 9th annual Open Call event. For the first time in the program’s nine-year history, Walmart offered an exclusive

Walmart’s 9th Annual Open Call Begins2022-03-17T16:40:41-04:00

Target Brightens Spring With Stoney Clover Lane Collab

If you’re ready to shake off those winter layers and start fresh for spring, you’re going to love what’s coming next. Target and customizable accessories brand Stoney Clover Lane are teaming up on a limited-time-only collection of over 300 warm-weather pieces including apparel, accessories, swim, beauty essentials, outdoor items and more coming to Target.com and

Target Brightens Spring With Stoney Clover Lane Collab2022-03-16T20:45:12-04:00

TreeHouse Foods Decides Not to Sell

Retail Brand (private brand ) manufacturing giant TreeHouse Foods today provided an update on the evaluation of strategic alternatives. After extensive discussion and careful deliberation, and with input from independent legal and financial advisors, the Board has concluded that the focus of its ongoing strategic review will be to continue reshaping TreeHouse by building leadership

TreeHouse Foods Decides Not to Sell2022-03-15T20:26:19-04:00

Ahold Delhaize PDL Launches New System for Private Brand Product and Packaging Specifications

Ahold Delhaize USA owned shared services arm Peapod Digital Labs will leverage a cloud-based platform from Velocity Institute member Trace One, for product and packaging specifications of Retail Brand (private brand) products across all the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA. Beginning with a pilot that launched in early March, the online platform will be used

Ahold Delhaize PDL Launches New System for Private Brand Product and Packaging Specifications2022-03-15T20:18:45-04:00

Velocity Talks with Inside Velocity Fast Track.

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’s episode features his conversation about Velocity with David Orgel. The discuss the upcoming Velocity Conference with special attention

Velocity Talks with Inside Velocity Fast Track.2022-03-16T20:46:12-04:00

Macy’s Names Emily Erusha-Hilleque SVP Private Brands

Macy’s today announced that Emily Erusha-Hilleque has joined the retailer as senior vice president for Macy’s private brands. In this role, Erusha-Hilleque will lead the nameplate’s private brands design organization, including apparel, center core and home design teams as well as drive the private brands strategy in partnership with Macy’s merchandising and sourcing teams. She

Macy’s Names Emily Erusha-Hilleque SVP Private Brands2022-03-14T19:15:47-04:00