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.

Embracing Differentiation At The RBI Innovation Summit

Innovative products, experiences and partnerships are crucial to the future of Retail Brands. That message was delivered loud and clear by speakers during the closing day of the online Velocity Institute (RBI) Innovation Summit, which drew some 750 registrants across 37 countries. Broadening the Discussion “I try to broaden the innovation discussion beyond

Embracing Differentiation At The RBI Innovation Summit2021-09-26T20:14:04-04:00

Albertsons Awarded EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year for the Fourth Time

Albertsons Companies, Inc. received the Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the company’s efforts to provide products that use safer chemicals. The company was recognized in the “Retailer” category for launching new Safer Choice-certified Own Brands products, raising awareness of the Safer Choice certification, and

Albertsons Awarded EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year for the Fourth Time2021-09-26T20:45:02-04:00

Velocity Institute Launches With Bold Mission to Change Private Brand

Private label is dead. Private brand will become Retail Brands! CHARLOTTE, N.C. — September 22, 2021— The Velocity Institute (RBI) launched today as a new global professional membership organization committed to advancing retailers and their brands across all categories and channels. Christopher Durham, president of RBI, announced in front of more than 600+ industry executives at

Velocity Institute Launches With Bold Mission to Change Private Brand2021-09-22T20:13:48-04:00

Pushing Boundaries in Day One Of The RBI Innovation Summit

Retailers are breaking down barriers in positioning their brands for innovation. That is the takeaway from day one of the Velocity Institute (RBI) online Innovation Summit, which drew close to 700 attendees across 37 countries. It featured presentations from speakers at companies including Kroger Co., CVS Health, Longo’s and Sobey’s. “Private Brands like those

Pushing Boundaries in Day One Of The RBI Innovation Summit2021-09-22T19:17:41-04:00

Sainsbury’s Coffee just got a latte better

Coffee cups are looking half-full rather than empty, thanks to Sainsbury’s. The retailer has recently teamed up with coffee pod manufacturer Dualit and On-Pack Recycling Label Ltd (OPRL Ltd) to prove that despite popular misconceptions and confusion, aluminum coffee pods can be recycled at home, provided they are empty of coffee grinds. Until now,

Sainsbury’s Coffee just got a latte better2021-09-21T19:44:40-04:00

Academy Sports – Product Developer

Come work at a place where we take pride in creating a workplace environment that values hard work, commitment, and growth. Responsible for the Private Brand product assortment development, presentation and organization, this person would have excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate with not just their peers, but a variety of different

Academy Sports – Product Developer2021-12-15T19:53:13-05:00

Trader Joes Goes All In for Fall Seasonal Flavors

It’s (finally) time. You’ve waited. You’ve wondered. Your patience is about to be rewarded – big time. What the heck are we talking about? While the calendar may still say summer, at Trader Joe’s, fall is in full swing. That’s right, Pumpkin Season has arrived! New products and returning faves are arriving every day, throughout

Trader Joes Goes All In for Fall Seasonal Flavors2021-09-17T08:03:36-04:00

Blue Apron Introduces Heat & Eat, its First Single-Serving Meals

Blue Apron is introducing Heat & Eat, the retailer’s first-ever prepared, single-serving meal private brand offering, ready in five minutes or less. Heat & Eat meals were designed to give customers additional flexibility to enjoy Blue Apron on different occasions throughout the week without sacrificing quality or flavor for convenience. “A core pillar of

Blue Apron Introduces Heat & Eat, its First Single-Serving Meals2021-09-16T19:48:36-04:00

Trade Joe’s Innovates Pumpkin Spice with Espresso Beans

Trader Joe's in its continuous effort to create and innovate has taken whole, 100% Arabica coffee beans from Brazil, treated them to a dark roast, then coated them with sweet white chocolate, pumpkin powder, and aromatic pumpkin pie spices. Plus annatto and turmeric, which lend this candy coating a beautiful, burnt-orange color — the

Trade Joe’s Innovates Pumpkin Spice with Espresso Beans2021-09-16T19:48:15-04:00