Kroger's Fred Meyer Stores subsidiary (acquired in 1999) operates about 125 supercenters, which offer groceries, general merchandise, and jewelry, in the western US.Kroger is the nation's 1 pure grocery chain, but it still must watch out for falling prices; Wal-Mart has overtaken Kroger as the largest seller of groceries in the US. While Kroger has diversified through acquisitions, adding jewelry and general merchandise to its mix, food stores still account for about 85% of sales. The company operates about 3,620 stores, including some 2,465 supermarkets and multidepartment stores, under two dozen banners, in about 30 states. It also runs 775 convenience stores under names such as Quik Stop and Kwik Shop

Walter E. Smithe Furniture, more commonly referred to as Smithe Furniture, sells mid-priced to high-end home furnishings through about a dozen locations in Illinois and Indiana. The company also offers leather and fabric upholstery customization options, as well as furniture reupholstering. Brothers Walt (president and general manager), Tim (VP of sales), and Mark (general counsel) Smithe took the reins of the family-run company from their father, and today (thanks to their TV ad campaigns), the three are the faces of the furniture retailer. Smithe Furniture traces its founding back to 1945.

Founded by Burt Orrin Kinney, who opened the company's first drugstore in 1903, Kinney Drugs has grown to number more than 90 stores in central and northern New York and Vermont. Most of the company's stores are free-standing units, with pharmacies, one-hour photo developing services, and a growing selection of convenience foods. The 100%-employee-owned company maintains its own distribution warehouse and offers about 800 different products, including Kinney-branded over-the-counter medicines. Besides retail stores, the firm operates ProAct prescription benefit management firm, HealthDirect institutional pharmacy services, and HealthDirect mail order pharmacy services.

Formerly named Hardware Wholesalers, Do it Best was founded in 1945. If you're building a house or fixing one up, you might as well Do it Best -- at least that's the hope of one of the hardware industry's largest cooperatives. Do it Best boasts more than 4,100 member-owned stores in 45-plus countries worldwide, but primarily the US. Besides the usual tools and building materials, merchandise includes automotive items, bicycles, camping gear, housewares, office supplies, and small appliances. Customers can also have products specially shipped to their local stores through Do it Best's e-commerce site. The co-op's buying power enables members to offer items at competitive prices.

Ritz Camera & Image (RCI) is updating its image to adapt to changing times. The company, whose chain of about 300 stores has roots reaching back to 1918 as a one-man portrait studio, has expanded beyond cameras to appeal to the digital generation. Operating under the Ritz, Wolf, Kits, Inkley's, and Camera Shop banners, it offers TVs, laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets, as well as cameras and optical supplies and services. RCI acquired the assets of Ritz Camera Centers, which had collapsed into bankruptcy in February 2009 amid the shift to digital cameras. The business emerged later that year, under the leadership of CEO David Ritz, with a smaller footprint and new retail strategy.

Sur La Table, Inc sells appliances, bakeware, cookbooks, housewares, specialty foods, and other goodies for professional and home chefs from about 80 stores in some 30 states, a website, and catalogs that make foodies drool. For customers who aren't sure how to best use the Le Creuset casserole dish, Cuisinart food processor, or Chef's Choice waffle maker, the company offers cooking classes and cookbook signing events in many of its stores. Founded in 1972 at Seattle's famous Pike's Place Market, Sur La Table is owned jointly by the Behnke family, including its chairman Carl Behnke, and private investor Freeman Spogli.

The late Fred Habegger, Sr., founded the company in 1952 after buying a Bryant distribution office in Cincinnati. His family, including Fred Jr. (chairman) and daughter Sue Frey (CFO), still owns Habegger. The founder's other sons, Jim and Tom Habegger, are also involved in the business. Habegger keeps the heat down for Buckeye, Hoosier, and Wildcat fans. Operating some 20 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio, the company distributes residential and commercial heating and air conditioning equipment, parts, and supplies. Habegger counts Bryant, Carlyle, Carrier, Payne, Reznor, and Totaline among the brands it carries.

The company, a subsidiary of CUTCO, manages the marketing and direct sales functions of sister company Cutco Cutlery, which is the largest kitchen cutlery manufacturer in North America. The firm and its Canadian counterpart, Vector Marketing Canada, enlist a legion of some 40,000 college students as representatives who make home visits to demonstrate and sell Cutco products. Cutco's product portfolio includes butcher knives, pizza cutters, paring knives, carving forks, ice cream scoops, and other kitchen utensils. Vector Marketing operates more than 200 offices throughout North America.

99 Cents Only Stores sells closeout and regular general merchandise for 99 cents or less. With about 275 stores, the company sells name-brand and private-label food and beverages, health and beauty aids, household goods, hardware, toys, and more. Though about 200 of its stores are in California, the company also operates locations in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. The firm's Bargain Wholesale unit distributes discounted merchandise to retailers, distributors, and exporters. The Gold family owns about 35% of the company and is actively involved in running it. Chairman David Gold is the founder, and his son Jeff is president; son-in-law Eric Schiffer is the firm's CEO.

Millennium Technologies wants to keep its customers revving high. The company maintains a stock of some 2,000 types of remanufactured cylinders, primarily for snowmobiles and motorcycles. It coats its cylinders with a nickel silicon carbide (NSC) -- the only thing harder is diamonds. Unlike other coatings, NSC is electroplated, rather than sprayed on, allowing the firm to offer a lifetime warranty for its work. Millennium also repairs cylinders. The parts retailer keeps its brand in front of current and potential clients by sponsoring motorcycle racers, several of whom have taken top prize in their events. President Jim Hackl founded Millennium Technologies in 1997.

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