Velocity Conference
Announcing VELOCITY FAST TRACK: The Retail Brands Pitch Competition
Retailers are seeking innovation that takes their private brands to the next level. That’s the reason for the creation of the Velocity Fast Track pitch competition. This inaugural contest from the Velocity Institute will be part of the Retail Brand (private brand) industry’s signature event, the 2022 Velocity Conference + Innovation Expo, held at the Charlotte Convention Center, May 16-18. THE OPPORTUNITY The competition is an unprecedented opportunity to present new ideas to retail leaders that can accelerate private label innovation. A select group of Retail Brand manufacturers, agencies, brokers, service providers, software companies, printers, ingredient manufacturers, researchers, etc. will
The Return of In Person – Velocity Conference + Expo
After two long years of pandemic-driven live event cancellations, the Velocity Conference and Innovation Expo returns to Charlotte, NC at the Charlotte Convention Center. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Running May 16-18, 2022, Velocity will be the first private brand event to return to an in-person event. Velocity will bring together industry leaders to BOLDLY accelerate the pace of change in the wake of Covid and uncover retail-owned brands’ potential to win. We bring together retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, agencies, solution providers, everyone from the idea of the product to the moment the product hits the store shelf. The conference
Book Your Velocity Booth Today & Connect In-Person!
After two long years of pandemic-driven live event cancellations, the Velocity Conference and Innovation Expo returns to Charlotte, NC at the Charlotte Convention Center. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Running May 16-18, 2022, Velocity will be the first private brand event to return to an in-person event. Velocity will bring together industry leaders to BOLDLY accelerate the pace of change in the wake of Covid and uncover retail-owned brands’ potential to win. We bring together retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, agencies, solution providers, everyone from the idea of the product to the moment the product hits the store shelf. The conference
Velocity Conference Call for Speakers
Are you or is there someone in your organization who is an experienced and dynamic speaker who can help retail and private brand professionals develop strategies, skills, and a mindset that drives private brand excellence? If so, we invite you to speak at the Velocity Conference + Innovation Expo when it returns to Charlotte, NC on May 16-18, 2022. The theme of the much anticipated return to in person events will be "BE BOLD - THE FUTURE IS NOW." Speakers should inspire, entertain, and engage through interactive presentations or panels providing practical, actionable takeaways. Speakers will receive access to
Velocity Conference Announces Return to In-Person in May
After two long years of pandemic-driven live event cancellations, I am excited to officially announce our marque event the Velocity Conference and Innovation Expo will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. Running May 16-18, 2022, at the Charlotte, Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. Velocity will be the first Retail Brand (private brand) event in North America to return to an in-person event. Velocity will bring together industry leaders to BOLDLY accelerate the pace of change in the wake of Covid and uncover private brands’ potential to win. With exclusive speakers from top retailers, as well
Private Brand Propels CVS Health Goals
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]CVS Health is putting its Private Brands front and center to underscore its commitment to addressing customer health needs. That point was outlined in a presentation by two of the retailer’s executives at the Velocity Global conference. Brenda Lord, Vice President, Store Brands & Quality Assurance “CVS is now largest healthcare company in America, and has a strong focus on being the most customer-centric,” said Brenda Lord, Vice President, Store Brands & Quality Assurance. Lord joined her colleague Heather Corkery, Director, Store Brands, in an interview on the Velocity
Velocity Speakers Emphasizes Power of Diversity and Inclusion
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.5.6" _module_preset="default"]Diversity and inclusion is a topic gaining new importance in the wake of recent national and global protests over racial inequities. This topic — and its impact on the Private Brand and retail worlds — was spotlighted in two compelling sessions during the recent Velocity Global conference. “In order to address inequities, we need to be truthful on where we are and have hard and heart conversations — by listening, understanding, and acknowledging all people in all walks of life,” said Phyllis Johnson, Senior Director, Own Brands, Catalina USA. She
10 Key Takeaways From Velocity Global
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.9"]Private Brand has come into its own as a robust business, and leaders need to focus on a wide range of brand building strategies to keep the momentum going — especially in the pandemic’s wake. That was a key point of speakers at Velocity Global, the My Private Brand Conference held virtually earlier this month. Here are 10 key takeaways from Velocity Global that are relevant for all Private Brand leaders. Learning from the Pandemic: The pandemic has created unexpected new opportunities for Private Brands. Out of stocks for manufacturer brands led to more
Velocity Day 2: New Lessons in Private Brand Innovation
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.9"]Private Brand innovation took center stage in presentations during the closing day of Velocity Global. Executives at leading retailers — including Wakefern Food Corp. and Carrefour — outlined their innovative Private Brand journeys, with design innovation celebrated in a special Vertex Awards track. Chris Skyers, Wakefern’s Vice President of Own Brands, relayed how his company is transforming its core and premium portfolios and progressing with new items across the store. “We formed a separate innovation team,” he said, which is allowing for faster speed-to-market of unique products. Tatiana Ryfer, head of Branding and Visual
Velocity Day 1: Size Isn’t All That Matters in Private Brands
[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.4.9"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.4.9" type="4_4"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.4.9" hover_enabled="0" admin_label="Text"]The opening day of Velocity Global featured presentations from some of the largest private brand retailers — including Walmart and CVS Health. However, a key takeaway was that success in private brands is about far more than just size and scale. For CVS Health, success is about developing consumer insights, said speaker Brenda Lord, Vice President of Store Brands and Quality Assurance. “We work to understand our customers’ healthcare needs, and be trend-right and a fun place to be,” she said. Walmart Canada’s Ivo Petroff, Category Manager, described his organization’s new exclusive
