Duane Reade takes its name from the Company's first successful full-service drugstore, which opened in 1960 on Broadway between Duane and Reade Streets in Manhattan. (Yes, we know they don’t intersect…it makes for a better picture!) Since then, Duane Reade has grown to become the most recognized drugstore chain in metropolitan New York. Today, the Company operates over 253 stores in commercial and residential neighborhoods throughout New York. Duane Reade's conveniently located stores carry an extensive assortment of items, including those from the pharmacy as well as vitamins, nutritional products, cosmetics, greeting cards and photo processing. Duane Reade Inc. has ranked as the fastest-growing drugstore chain in the industry, and is number one in sales per square foot. Duane Reade completed its initial public offering of common stock on February 10, 1998.

The drugstore chain was founded by A. J. Hartig and today is owned and operated by his grandson, CEO Richard "Dick" Hartig. Getting up there in years counts for something. In business since 1904, Hartig Drug is the second-oldest continuously operated family drugstore chain in the US. It fills prescriptions and sells household items through its chain of about 15 drugstores and long-term care pharmacy in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In addition to pharmacies, the company manages Finley-Hartig Home Care (medical equipment and supplies retailer) and Unique Boutique Flower and Gift Shop (floral arrangement designer).

Food Lion brand products accounts for about 20% of sales. Founded in 1957 as Food Town, Food Lion is the largest US subsidiary of Delhaize America, a subsidiary of Brussels-based grocer Delhaize.Food Lion is a king among grocery chains in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions where it operates about 1,330 supermarkets under the Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar, and Harveys banners. About half of the company's stores are in the Carolinas, but it also has outlets in nine other states, including Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. Food Lion, which prides itself on extra low prices, has taken a beating from low-cost competitors, most notably Wal-Mart Supercenters, and a weak economy.

GOME serves China's growing appetite for techno toys, digital doodads, and modern household conveniences. One of China's leading electronics retailers by sales, GOME (formerly China Eagle Group) sells consumer electronics and household appliances from about 860 stores in more than 200 large and medium sized cities. Most locations offer rental and repairs and a handful are completely dedicated to digital electronics. Audio visual products (TVs, DVD and CD players, VCRs, stereos) make up about a third of GOME's sales. The company plans to expand into smaller cities and continue opening its all-digital stores. Kwong Yu Wong and his wife Juan Du, own more than a third of GOME's shares.

Lucy Activewear, founded in 1999, also sells merchandise through its website. V.F. Corporation acquired the fast-growing company for $110 million in 2007 and has since made Lucy part of its outdoor and action sports division (or what V.F. calls a "coalition"), which also includes The North Face and JanSport. If you're an avid outdoorswoman or a yoga devotee, you're likely to end up loving this Lucy. Lucy Activewear sells women's activewear (including tops, bottoms, jackets, and bras) through about 65 company-owned stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) is Canada's only nationwide drugstore chain, with locations in every province and two territories. With more than 1,200 drugstores, it's #2 north of the border, behind Katz Group. Most of the company's stores fly the Shoppers Drug Mart banner (Pharmaprix in Quebec). It also operates about 65 Shoppers Home Health Care stores. SDM ranks as a leading Canadian retailer of beauty products, with more than 225 in-store beauty boutiques that sell prestige cosmetics, fragrances, and skin care products. It is expanding in Quebec by opening new stores and acquiring independent pharmacies. The firm was founded in 1962 by Murray Koffler, a Toronto druggist.

American TV even makes house calls to fix large appliances, regardless of where it was purchased. Ferd Mattioli founded American TV & Appliance of Madison, Inc. in 1954. American TV & Appliance of Madison is happy to outfit your entire house, including your upscale kitchen. American TV & Appliance of Madison, Inc. sells appliances, electronics, and furniture in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Its 15 retail outlets generate annual sales of about $500 million and offer such products as recliners, dining room sets, mattresses, car stereos, CD players, dishwashers, refrigerators, personal computers, digital cameras, plasma and LCD TVs, and DVD players. American TV & Appliance of Madison, Inc. also has two distribution centers and a service center offering parts and repairs.

J.P. Boden & Co. (better known simply as Boden) is a UK direct retailer of premium casual apparel. The company sells womenswear and menswear under the Boden name, teen apparel under the Johnnie B label, and children's clothing under the Mini Boden brand. It markets the collections through its catalogs and Web site. J.P. Boden also operates two retail stores in the UK. The company got its start in 1991 when chairman Johnnie Boden quit his job as a stockbroker in London to open up his own clothing business. Designing its catalogs to resemble those of J. Crew, the company's first editions featured friends and family striking poses as fashion models. Boden is a 50% owner of the firm.

Causeway Lumber was founded in 1939 by Col. O. R. Whiddon, grandfather of company president Scott Whiddon. When South Florida residents need to rebuild, they call a contractor, and their contractor might very well call Causeway Lumber. Targeting professional builders as customers, the company manufactures and distributes building materials including hardware, lumber, plywood, reinforcing steel, and roof and floor trusses from stores in Arcadia, Bonita Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and Stuart. Causeway Lumber Company also serves customers in the Caribbean.

A chic alternative to the mall sprawl of the suburban shopping center, Elisa Wen's Walnut Creek and San Francisco stores offer 14 different lines of clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, and shoes. The upscale purveyor of women's and children's apparel offers ready-to-wear items such as Hudson jeans and Splendid tee shirts, as well as a wide array of cocktail wear, including evening outfits from Catherine Malandrino, D & G, Miguelina, and Rebecca Taylor. The stores also sell items under such brands as a L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, True Religion, Rock & Republic, Susana Monaco, and Michael Stars.

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