diff --git a/pkg/db/kvstore/kvutils.go b/pkg/db/kvstore/kvutils.go
index 70bd977..946dbf2 100644
--- a/pkg/db/kvstore/kvutils.go
+++ b/pkg/db/kvstore/kvutils.go
@@ -17,7 +17,18 @@
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"math"
+	"math/rand"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const (
+	minRetryInterval  = 100
+	maxRetryInterval  = 5000
+	incrementalFactor = 1.2
+	jitter            = 0.2
 )
 
 // ToString converts an interface value to a string.  The interface should either be of
@@ -56,3 +67,24 @@
 	}
 	return val1 == val2
 }
+
+// backoff waits an amount of time that is proportional to the attempt value.  The wait time in a range of
+// minRetryInterval and maxRetryInterval.
+func backoff(ctx context.Context, attempt int) error {
+	if attempt == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	backoff := int(minRetryInterval + incrementalFactor*math.Exp(float64(attempt)))
+	backoff *= 1 + int(jitter*(rand.Float64()*2-1))
+	if backoff > maxRetryInterval {
+		backoff = maxRetryInterval
+	}
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Duration(backoff) * time.Millisecond)
+	defer ticker.Stop()
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return ctx.Err()
+	case <-ticker.C:
+	}
+	return nil
+}