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.

Albert Heijn focuses on plant-based food

Dutch grocer Albert Heijn supports the movement towards a more plant-based diet in which 60% of the proteins come from plant sources. That is better for the world and for ourselves. To achieve this goal, Ahold Delhaize owned Albert Heijn is expanding its vegetarian and plant-based range. To make this range even more accessible, Albert

Albert Heijn focuses on plant-based food2022-03-23T08:18:41-04:00

Win The Private Brand Pitch Competition VELOCITY FAST TRACK:

Are you a large private brand manufacturer with a great new product or innovation? Do you have an interesting new product, flavor, Are you a small manufacturer with a great product who would love to be in a retailers private brand? Do you have a packaging innovation, marketing or software solution that can add

Win The Private Brand Pitch Competition VELOCITY FAST TRACK:2022-03-22T20:27:23-04:00

Albertsons, Lowes Home Improvement, Wakefern & Rite Aid to present at the Velocity Conference

The first four retail executive speakers for the upcoming Velocity Conference + Expo have been announced by the Velocity Institute: Beto Galvan, VP of Own Brands Innovation & Product Management - Albertsons Companies, Sarah Dodd, SVP Global Merchandising - Lowes Home Improvement, Chris Skyers, VP of Own Brands - Wakefern and Bob Himler, VP Own

Albertsons, Lowes Home Improvement, Wakefern & Rite Aid to present at the Velocity Conference2022-03-21T21:06:47-04:00

Thrive Market’s New Planet-Friendly Cleaning Brand, Rosey

Thrive Market, the membership-based Vertex Award winning retailer of natural and organic foods, has launched Rosey — its very own planet-friendly cleaning Retail Brand (private brand) that hopes to redefine the way we think about caring for our homes. The new range features a variety of products, including but not limited to: dish soap, laundry

Thrive Market’s New Planet-Friendly Cleaning Brand, Rosey2022-03-21T20:41:27-04:00

UNFI: Category Manager- Brands + – Open to Remote

Job Overview: Strategically manages categories to increase sales, gross dollars and market share versus prior year, to meet or exceed projected numbers. Creates and implements pricing, promotion and assortment for each assigned category, based on detailed analysis of past performance and results, industry best practices, and consumer trends. This level is considered a fully experienced

UNFI: Category Manager- Brands + – Open to Remote2022-03-21T20:40:55-04:00

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