Giordano was founded in 1981 by Jimmy Lai. Think of Giordano International as the Old Navy of the Pacific Rim. Named after a New York pizzeria, the retailer is known for colorful, low-cost casual apparel and chipper service. Its store banners include Giordano, Giordano Ladies, Giordano Junior, and the budget-conscious Bluestar Exchange. Giordano operates or franchises more than 1,900 stores in China and Hong Kong (its primary markets), and a dozen other Asian countries, as well as Australia, and the Middle East. Expanding internationally it has opened its first stores in Egypt, Russia, and the US (in Los Angeles). Giordano International Limited company has been reducing its exposure to unprofitable garment manufacturing operations.

Le Chateau has repositioned itself to appeal to trend seekers of no particular age and has begun expanding into secondary markets. Le Chateau, which had hired Genuity Capital Markets in 2006 to explore a possible sale, took itself off the block in 2007. Le Chateau wants its customers to bring down the house with their fashion flair. The firm sells its own brand of clothing in more than 220 contemporary clothing stores in Canada, a handful of shops in the New York City area, and about 10 locations in the Middle East. The retailer sells apparel, footwear, and accessories to fashion-conscious men and women. About 40% of its apparel is made in Canada, allowing Le Chateau Inc. to respond quickly to changing trends.

Chairman Max Gondon founded AMS in 1969. The company was acquired in 2007 by CRH, an Ireland-based building materials maker. Acoustical Material Services (AMS) sells the materials builders need to put a roof over your head -- not to mention hold your whole house together. The company provides acoustical ceiling products, lath and plaster, drywall, doors, and frames, as well as other construction supplies. Customers include large and small contractors, subcontractors, building owners, and dealers. AMS distributes products from about 20 locations in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, as well as Mexico (via AMS De Mexico). It also exports to markets in Guam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

The late Fred Habegger, Sr., founded the company in 1952 after buying a Bryant distribution office in Cincinnati. His family, including Fred Jr. (chairman) and daughter Sue Frey (CFO), still owns Habegger. The founder's other sons, Jim and Tom Habegger, are also involved in the business. Habegger keeps the heat down for Buckeye, Hoosier, and Wildcat fans. Operating some 20 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio, the company distributes residential and commercial heating and air conditioning equipment, parts, and supplies. Habegger counts Bryant, Carlyle, Carrier, Payne, Reznor, and Totaline among the brands it carries.

Stein Mart, Inc. operates retail stores that offer fashion merchandise for men and women in the United States. Stein Mart company’s stores provide fashion apparel, accessories, gifts, linens, and shoes. As of January 30, 2010, it operated a chain of 267 retail stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Stein Mart, Inc. was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

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.

Gabberts Design Studio & Fine Furnishings offers high-end furnishings in a variety of styles -- ranging from traditional to contemporary and from casual to refined -- for your living room, dining room, family room, bedroom, and home office. Gabberts' 63,000-square-foot store in Edina, Minnesota employs in-house interior designers, which it considers a competitive advantage. Founded in 1946 by Don Gabbert as a tire and appliance store, the company was owned and run by the Gabbert family until it was acquired by HOM Furniture in 2008. Gabberts' new owner continues to operate the business under the Gabberts banner.

DOTS has plans for continued national expansion, including California eventually. Ultimately, DOTS hopes to reach 1,000 stores nationwide. DOTS operates more than 400 value-priced women's clothing and accessory stores in some 25 states, mostly along the East Coast and in the Midwest. The stores, which target female shoppers between the ages of 18 and 45, sell low-priced fashion apparel and accessories for the junior, misses, and plus-size markets. The fast-growing company has been opening new stores in some big markets, including Texas and Georgia.

Harrow Stores sells outdoor home furniture, above ground swimming pools and spas, backyard accessories, and seasonal items (it is particularly known for its Christmas decorations) through several stores in New York and a single location in New Jersey. Harrow's, owned by Ken Ehrlich, emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2007.

Royal Ahold also operates Albert Heijn (the 1 food retailer in The Netherlands), as well as stores in Portugal, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Other interests include the US online grocery service Peapod and a majority stake in Scandinavian food seller ICA AB. A tattered prince of global food retailing, Royal Ahold owns or has an interest in more than 5,200 supermarkets and specialty stores in Europe and the US. While its status as one of the world's largest grocery retailers has been greatly diminished, it still ranks as a leading supermarket operator along the East Coast of the US under names, including Giant Food and Stop & Shop, which account for about 60% of its total sales.

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