A.S. Watson (ASW) is the retail and manufacturing arm of the Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa. Like its powerful parent company, ASW is a giant in its industries, with operations in some 35 markets throughout Asia and Europe. Its businesses include supermarkets (Park'N Shop), health and beauty stores (Watson's, Drogas, Trekpleister, and Kruidvat), Fortress consumer electronics and appliance stores in Hong Kong and Macau, soft drink and water bottling operations, and wine retailing (Watson's Wine Cellar). In all, ASW operates 20-plus retail chains with more than 8,700 stores including the UK's Superdrug and Savers chains. ASW also has a joint venture with German discount health and beauty chain Rossmann.

HealthWarehouse.com (Ticker: HEWA) is a publicly traded online pharmacy based in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a United States government regulated pharmacy, we only sell products which are FDA approved and legal for sale in the United States. Our operations center around a state-of-the-art pharmacy capable of handling more than 3,000 prescriptions per day and we currently service more than 75,000 unique customers. Originally motivated by the lack of trustworthy and affordable online sources for prescription drugs, the goal from Day 1 was simple: reduce drug prices by removing layers of cost between the manufacturer and the end consumer. First, by procuring products directly from the manufacturer, we are able to cut out several levels of middlemen. Second, as an online pharmacy we aren’t burdened with the heavy overhead costs of traditional brick-and-mortar retail chains. The end result is that we are able to secure our products at a lower cost than our competitors and pass the savings on to you. In addition to offering the lowest prices, Healthwarehouse.com is relentlessly striving to enhance the customer experience and is committed to "doing whatever it takes to make it right." A 2009 and 2010 winner of BizRate's Circle Of Excellence Award given to the top 3% of more than 5,000 online merchants surveyed, HealthWarehouse.com does not believe that "service can be outsourced" to another country and handles all customer service functions in the USA.

Oddbins has been struggling financially and has been closing unprofitable stores. Founded in 1963, the company was acquired by its smaller rival Ex Cellar in August 2008. (Ex Cellar bought the chain from a subsidiary of French group Castel Frères)Whether you're looking for a whole bin or just an odd bottle, Oddbins likely sells your libation of choice. The specialty retailer sells a wide assortment of wines and spirits through some 130 Oddbins stores across the UK and Ireland, a single shop in Calais, France, and online. The managers of local stores are encouraged to promote particular labels based on their own tastes in wine; the company is known for the wine expertise of the staff in its stores.

PITCO Foods, formed by the merger of Pacific Groservice and Pittsburg Wholesale Grocers, operates four membership warehouse stores in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, and Oakland, California under the PITCO banner. The outlets, which are not open to the general public, stock more than 9,000 items and cater to some 10,000 independently-owned retailers and food service operators throughout the Central Valley and Northern California. Customers include supermarkets and convenience stores, drug stores, vending operations, restaurants, and caterers. In addition to various food items, the wholesaler stocks tobacco, janitorial supplies, housewares, health and beauty aids, and auto supplies.

William Sinclair Holdings took hold in UK gardens more than 120 years ago when it was founded by William Sinclair. The company makes gardening products for commercial and home use, exfoliated vermiculite, and expanded perlite (products that are used in different forms of insulation). Brands include J Arthur Bower's, Silvaperl, and New Horizon. The firm exports horticultural products to more than 50 countries. Over the last few years, the company has pared down its operations and is focusing on innovating recycled green products for both industrial and horticultural clients. Its products are sold through wholesalers, catalogs, and the company's Web site.

Balkamp was formed in 1936 by the NAPA board of directors. Its moniker blends the surnames of the company's first managers, John Baldwin and Bob Leercamp. A majority-owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts, Balkamp distributes parts and accessories for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and farm equipment to repair shops and retail members of the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). The company also provides diagnostics equipment, cleaning supplies, chemicals, and other service-related items. Balkamp offers some 45,000 items from about 600 domestic and foreign suppliers. It operates distribution centers in Indianapolis and Plainfield, Indiana and West Jordan, Utah.

Roadking Travel Centres operates combination convenience stores, hotels, and restaurants in Calgary and Strathcona, Alberta. Its operations are located along well-traveled trade routes that run between Canada and Mexico and cater to travelers as well as transportation professionals.

Artfulhome.com, an online and catalog retailer of fine art and gifts, is an offshoot of The Guild, an art publishing company founded in 1985 that represents more than 1,200 North American artists. The Web site and catalog, which feature fine art prints, paintings, photography, and sculpture, were launched in 1999. In addition Artfulhome.com sells nontraditional works of art (made of glass, fiber, metal, and wood), ceramics, home furnishings and lighting, tableware, jewelry, and books. Toni Sikes, a Madison entrepreneur, launched the company from a Wisconsin warehouse. The firm changed the name of its Web site from Guild.com to Artfulhome.com in 2008.

Founded by Rowland Schaefer and later run by his daughters, Bonnie and Marla Schaefer, Claire's Stores was sold to an affiliate of the New York-based private equity firm Apollo Management for about $3 billion in 2007. If the difference between men and boys is the price of their toys, for young women and girls, it may be the price of their accessories. For thrifty, fashion-conscious females ages 3 to 27, Claire's Stores is the queen of costume jewelry, handbags, and hair bows. The company operates nearly 3,000 boutiques, primarily in malls, under the Claire's and Icing banners. The chain is present in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Canada, as well as about 10 European countries.

Founded in 1983, Road Runner sells dozens of brands including adidas, Asics, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, and others. Road Runner Sports is for the running -- or walking -- man or woman. The retailer, known for its huge selection, sells a wide range of athletic shoes and gear for those who go for the aerobic burn by pounding out the miles on their feet. Products are sold online and through specialty catalogs. The company also caters to those who would rather run in than log on with about 20 retail outlets, mostly in California but also in about 10 other states. The stores, which average about 8,500 square feet, feature gait analysis machines, running coaches, customized orthotics fitting, and a test run area.

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