Aerogroup International wants ladies to feel like they're walking on air or, at least, feel like buying a pair of its Aerosoles. The company designs women's footwear under the Aerosoles, What's What, A2, Aerology, Sole A, and Flexation brands. Its shoes are sold in more than 250 Aerosoles stores in the US and abroad, as well as by catalog, Web site, and through thousands of department and specialty stores (such as Kohl's, Macy's, and Boscov's). Originally a division of Kenneth Cole, CEO Jules Schneider got together a group of investors and took the business private in 1987.

Founded in 1963, Leslie's is majority owned by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners. Leslie's Poolmart is the big fish of pool product retailers. The company sells pool and spa chemicals, cleaning and testing equipment, pumps, covers, and recreational items through some 620 stores in some 35 states, mostly in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. The company also sells its products through catalogs and its website. Leslie's makes chlorine tablets and repackages other chemicals to be sold under the Leslie name as well. Pool chemicals, major equipment, and parts account for a majority of the company's sales.

Carter-Jones knows when to yell "timber!" Carter-Jones Lumber company is the flagship store of building supplies retailer Carter Lumber. Its store has served the Akron, Ohio, area for more than 70 years, offering contractors and do-it-yourselfers a range of countertops, doors and windows, flooring, plumbing products, hand and power tools, and lumber, among other items. It sells Douglas fir, spruce, cedar, and redwood lumber; computerized kitchen designs; and fireplace mantels made to order. Brands include Moen, Delta, Jacuzzi, and Stanley Black & Decker. The Carter family, via parent Carter Lumber, owns Carter-Jones.

Habitat UK Limited offers furniture, kitchenware, textiles, and decorative accessories from more than 30 countries. It vends its wares through some 70 stores in the UK, France, Germany, and Spain, as well as online and via catalog. In addition to these outlets, Habitat has retail distribution partners in about 15 other countries in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The company also sells ready-to-hang artwork through its Art on Demand Web site. Habitat was founded in 1964 by British designer Sir Terence Conran. Former owner The Ikano Group, a holding company owned by IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his family, sold the chain to an affiliate of Hilco in December 2009.

GULFEAGLE is a full line distributor of residential and commercial roofing and building products that offers jobsite delivery to our customers. The company was originally founded as Gulfside Supply, Inc. in 1973 by Mr. Jim Resch. Mr. Resch remains as the current owner and CEO. The company started in Tampa, Florida with one branch and has grown to over 50 locations nationwide. This growth has come from acquisitions, start-up locations, and diversity of products. The first acquisition was Service Lumber in Jacksonville in 1975. Others include Southern Diversified in Miami, Sun Supply in Melbourne, United Wholesale in Pompano, Ft. Myers and Sarasota and Stringfellow Supply in Gainesville. In 1995 a major step was taken by acquiring American Wholesale which included locations in Huntsville, Montgomery, Dothan, Mobile, Pensacola and Panama City. The Standard/ Bieler acquisition further expanded into South Florida. In 1997 the company acquired Roofline Supply in Macon, Georgia. New start-ups over the years include Orlando, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Daytona, Tallahassee, Decatur, Alabama, St. Petersburg, Ft. Pierce, Palm Coast and Buda, TX.

Antiques on East State operates one of the largest antiques malls in the Midwest, offering finds from the Civil War era, 19th century Europe, and other places and times past. Spanning about 20,000 sq. ft., the mall houses more than 90 antiques dealer booths and consignment showcases that feature fine china, art and photographs, books, jewelry and watches, furniture, and coins, among other collectibles. Antiques on East State hosts events throughout the year, including end-of-season markets and appraisal fairs. The company was founded in 2007.

The consumption structure is changing rapidly with an aging society, a falling birthrate and the rise of other business categories. It is no exaggeration to say that those department stores that are unable to respond to these changes will be shunned by consumers and will go into decline. We are at an existential moment, where the very value of department stores is in question. In this environment, Takashimaya aims to become the leading region-oriented department store, taking advantage of its powerful network of 20 stores nationwide. We are committed to earning the confidence of customers in the communities in which we operate, reflecting regional characteristics in our store operations, while at the same time cherishing features that have been specific to Takashimaya.

Handy Hardware Wholesale was founded in 1961 with 13 members seeking to gain competitive advantage against large businesses and discount chains. Handy Hardware Wholesale has been grabbing market share from Ace Hardware since John Madden was a junior college coach. The company is a cooperative that provides more than 1,100 member-dealers in 10 mostly Southern states as well as in Central America with retail merchandise, primarily hardware, and building materials. The company's inventory also includes nursery, marine, and automotive products. The cooperative operates a central warehouse in Houston and keeps a fleet of more than 100 trailers for delivery.

Here's a company that's traveled a fur piece from its 17th- century roots. Founded in 1670 as a fur trading enterprise, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) is Canada's largest department store chain and oldest corporation. Its Zellers chain is the country's #2 discount department store (behind Wal-Mart Canada), with some 280 stores. HBC also runs about 90 the Bay department stores that focus on more upscale merchandise, 190-plus Fields general merchandise and apparel stores in Western Canada, more than 65 Home Outfitters superstores, and Hbc.com. The company also has its own credit card and financial services companies. HBC is owned by NRDC Equity Partners, which is looking to take the company public as early as 2011.

Sheetz stores sell groceries, fountain drinks, baked goods, and made-to-order sandwiches and salads, self-service car washes, as well as discount gas and cigarettes. The company operates more than 360 combination convenience stores and gas stations, mostly in Pennsylvania, but also in five other states (Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia). Founded in 1952 by Bob Sheetz, the company is owned and run by the Sheetz family.

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