Borrowing its moniker from the Latin for "you," Vobis lays claim to one of Europe's largest chains of computer retail stores. The company makes computers under its own brand and distributes technology products from such companies as Apple, Intel, and Sony. Under pressure from other retailers, the company's former parent, European retailing giant METRO AG, tried unsuccessfully to sell Vobis several times before CEO Jurgen Rakow and board member Jurgen Bochmann agreed to take a 25% stake in the company. METRO transferred the remaining 75% of its interest in Vobis to Divaco, an investment firm controlled by METRO.

Dickson Concepts (International) aims to satisfy the Asian market's hunger for luxury goods. The company operates about 500 stores (some through joint ventures) in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan. (Hong Kong and China account for about 75% of sales.) The company operates single-brand luxury retailers, including ones selling Bertolucci, Chopard, Brooks Brothers, and Tommy Hilfiger. Dickson Concepts also operates stores under various luxury names, including Harvey Nichols and three Seibu department stores in Hong Kong. Sales are split between locals and tourists. Group executive chairman Dickson Poon owns 40% of Dickson Concepts.

Founded in 1892 as a local hardware store, the retailer was acquired by The Boots Company (now Alliance Boots) in 1989 and sold off in 2002; in 2004 it floated as a publicly traded company for the first time. Halfords Group is more than just mechanically inclined: It serves others who are also DIY mechanics. The retailer sells vehicle maintenance necessities (parts, tools), luxury automobile items (stereos, navigation systems), and travel-related products (car seats, camping equipment), as well as bicycles and related components. Halfords operates about 470 stores across the UK and Ireland, as well as about a half a dozen locations in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Established in 1953, Damartex opened its first store in Paris four years later. Today it operates about 140 stores (under the name Damart), primarily in France and Belgium. France accounts for nearly two-thirds of Damartex company's sales. Damartex also sells its products via mail order and its Web site. Damartex may not be tres chic with the youngsters, but it is hip to the older generation. Damartex uses thermolactyl fiber to make undergarments, men's and women's apparel, sleepwear, socks and hosiery, and accessories (scarves and footwear), which it sells to the growing senior-citizen market. Its thermal pieces are also marketed to snow skiers.

Meijer (pronounced "Meyer") is a giant of retailing in the Midwest. The company's huge grocery and general merchandise stores average 200,000 to 250,000 sq. ft. each (or about the size of four regular grocery stores) and stock about 120,000 items, including Meijer private-label products. Meijer operates about 195 locations; about half are in Michigan, while the rest are in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Customers can choose from 40-plus departments, including apparel, electronics, hardware, and toys. Most stores also sell gasoline, offer banking services, and have multiple in-store restaurants. Founder Hendrik Meijer opened his first store in 1934; the business is still family owned and run.

Grafton Merchanting GB believes in building a solid store base for its customers. A subsidiary of the Grafton Group, the company is the umbrella organization of its parent's building supply retail operations in the UK, which include Buildbase, Jackson Building Centres, Hirebase, Civils & Lintels, Plumbase, PDM, L&G Forest Products, Hendricks Lovell, Acorn Insulation, and Keelsupply. Its network consists of more than 400 locations, which sell lumber, hardware, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, gardening items, and other building materials, as well as offer hiring services. Grafton Merchanting also sells online. Formed in 2008, the firm brought together Buildbase with Grafton Group's other retail banners.

Saks Incorporated began as Proffitt’s, Inc. with just five Proffitt’s stores in metropolitan Knoxville, Tennessee. Proffitt's, Inc. became a public company in June 1987. From 1994 to 1998, we added McRae’s, Parisian, Younkers, Herberger's, and Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (which included Bergner's and Boston Store) as well as 32 additional stores from Lovemans, Hess, Parks-Belk, and Brody’s, which were converted into existing store nameplates.

Allied Refrigeration Inc. was founded in 1912 by L.B. Marsh and Frank Sarson. Marsh's nephew, Bob Nichols (chairman), and his sons, including CEO Rob, run and own Allied Refrigeration. What does it take to cool Southern California and Las Vegas? Allied Refrigeration probably knows. Through some 15 locations in California and Las Vegas, Allied Refrigeration distributes air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and refrigeration parts, equipment, and controls. Its 30,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Long Beach keeps branches supplied with more than 9,000 items from major manufacturers, including Honeywell, Heatcraft, Maglite, Tyco Thermal Controls, and Fluke.

Body Central Acquisition Corp. engages in the retail of apparel and accessories for women in their late teens and twenties from various cultural backgrounds in the United States. The company operates specialty stores under the Body Central and Body Shop banners, as well as a direct business comprising its Body Central catalog and its e-commerce Web site at bodyc.com. Its stores feature an assortment of tops, dresses, bottoms, jewelry, accessories, and shoes sold primarily under its Body Central and Lipstick labels. As of June 20, 2010, Body Central Acquisition Corp. had 197 stores located in fashion retail venues in 23 states in the south, mid-atlantic, and midwest. Body Central Acquisition Corp. was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Named for the English port that once supplied its imported goods, Mexico's El Puerto de Liverpool offers clothing for men, women, and children, as well as appliances, consumer electronics, home furnishings, and more. With some 65 department stores (divided between the Liverpool and Fabrica de Francia names) in Mexico's largest cities, the company's upper-income customer base remains essentially unchanged from 1847, when young Juan Bautista Ebrard began selling clothes from a Mexico City market stall. Liverpool also owns and manages shopping malls in its home country and is one of the largest issuers of credit cards in Mexico. The company has expanded by buying malls and opening new stores throughout Mexico.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.