eXpansys UK Limited began trading on the London-based AIM exchange in 2007. Though the universe may be in constant expansion, eXpansys believes one's collection of gadgets should also be in a state of constant growth. eXpansys UK Limited is an online retailer of wireless technology (PDAs, mobile and wireless phones, iPods, MP3 players, laptop computers). The company has distribution centers in Australia, France, Germany, and the US; its products are sold worldwide through retail divisions in more than 20 countries. eXpansys investors have included 3i Group, Elderstreet Downing, Elderstreet Investments, Triven, and The Wireless Warehouse.

Steinhoff UK Retail wants it customers to fill their homes with furniture with its help. Formerly named Homestyle Group until 2007, the company is one of Britain's largest furniture retailers. Its furniture division, Harveys Furnishing Group, operates about 170 Harveys: The Furniture Store shops throughout the UK. Its beds division operates Bensons Beds (the UK's largest bed retailer with 220 stores and 15,000 branded beds), Bed Shed (more than 50 stores primarily in Scotland), and Sleepmasters (with nearly 120 retail sites in the UK). Steinhoff Europe AG, a subsidiary of Steinhoff International Holdings (SIH), took the company private in 2007.

Axfood gives the chilly Nordic region the Willys. Axfood AB is one of the largest food retailers in Sweden (behind ICA and Coop),operating about 110 wholly owned Willys (discount grocery stores),30-plus Willys hemma (neighborhood grocers),and some 165 Hemkp (upscale grocery stores for food enthusiasts) stores. Axfood also operates shops under the Handlar'n and Tempo banners. Its Axfood Narlivs unit is a nationwide wholesaler serving convenience store retailers, restaurants, and foodservice companies through about 20 cash and carry outlets and several distribution centers. Subsidiary Dagab serves as Axfood AB company's logistics arm. Swedish food importer and retailer Axel Johnson owns about 46% of Axfood.

Chairman and owner Bruce Halle founded Discount Tire in 1960 with six tires -- four of them recaps. Concerned about that upcoming "re-tire-ment"? Discount Tire, one of the largest independent tire dealers in the US, can provide several options. With more than 780 company-owned stores in 20-plus states, the company sells such leading tire brands as Michelin, Goodyear, and Uniroyal, as well as wheels from Enkei, Konig, and TSW. Discount Tire operates mostly in the West, Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast. Some of its California stores operate as America's Tire Co. because of a naming conflict. Customers can search for tires by make and model on the company's website.

O'Connell Oil operates about 30 Convenience Plus convenience stores and a half a dozen gas stations throughout western Massachusetts, serving customers with Citgo, Mobil, and Shell brand gasoline. Three O'Connell's Heating Oil & Service locations provide heating oil and air conditioner repair services. The company also runs plumbing and industrial lubricant divisions. Namesake Ralph M. O'Connell founded the company in 1925.

Alon Holdings Blue Square - Israel Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates supermarkets and retail outlets in Israel. It offers food and beverages products; non-food items, such as houseware products, toys, small electrical appliances, computers and computer accessories, entertainment and leisure products, and textile products; and near-food products comprising health and beauty aids, baby and young children products, cosmetics, and hygiene products. The company owns and operates 207 supermarkets under the Mega, Mega in Town, Shefa Shuk, Mega Bool, and Eden Teva brand names; and 260 non-food retail outlets under the Naaman, Vardinon, Sheshet, Kfar Hasha’ashuim, Rav-Kat, Dr. Baby, and All for a Dollar brand names. In addition, it owns, leases, and develops commercial properties. The company was formerly known as Blue Square – Israel Ltd. and changed its name to Alon Holdings Blue Square - Israel Ltd. in July 2010. The company was founded in 1988 and is based in Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel. Alon Holdings Blue Square - Israel Ltd. is a subsidiary of Alon Retail Ltd.

The Katz Group is one of Canada's leading drug store operators with over 1,800 drug stores across the country. In addition to its retail operations, the Katz Group owns and operates Canada's only national mail order pharmacy business, Rexall Direct (formerly known as Meditrust Pharmacy Inc.), one of Canada's largest institutional pharmacy operations.

Builders FirstSource, Inc. engages in the manufacture and supply of structural and related building products for residential new construction in the United States. It offers prefabricated components, including floor trusses, roof trusses, wall panels, stairs, and engineered wood; aluminum and vinyl windows; and pre-hung interior and exterior doors, as well as assembles and distributes interior and exterior door units. The company also provides lumber and lumber sheet goods comprising dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board products used in on-site house framing; millwork products, which consist of interior trim, exterior trim, columns, and posts, as well as custom exterior featured products; and other building products that include cabinets, gypsum, roofing, and insulation. In addition, the company offers turn-key framing, shell construction, design assistance, and professional installation services for products spanning its product categories. It serves production homebuilders and small custom homebuilders. Builders FirstSource, Inc. was formerly known as BSL Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Builders FirstSource, Inc. in October 1999. Builders FirstSource, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

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.

Holland Southwest International, Inc. was founded by Gus Gillebaard, an immigrant from Holland, as a small import company in 1953. Distributor Holland Southwest International supplies forest products from vendors throughout the world. The company boasts inventory facilities about a dozen locations in North America, such as Baltimore, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Mexico City. It ships directly to vendors in China, Russia, the UK, and several other countries. The wood-products firm also includes Holland Southwest among its holdings, which has interests in plants that manufacture prefinished wall paneling and bathroom wallboard.

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