Founded by Tom Singh in 1969, New Look was taken private in 2004 by the private equity firms Apax Partners and Permira, who've twice failed to sell it. Growing as fast as its teen customers, New Look sells apparel, lingerie, shoes, and accessories at about 660 New Look stores in the UK and Ireland and 300-plus Mim shops in France and Belgium. Most New Look shops are in the UK but the chain has a growing presence in Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and now Russia. The retailer also sells apparel online. New Look targets tweens (pre-teens), teen girls, and their mums (if they're hip) with value-priced clothing. Most of its products are private label and the stores sell plus-sized and maternity apparel.

Pamida Stores Operating Co. offers more small-town values than a bandwagon of Republicans on the campaign trail. The rural retailer operates 200-plus Pamida general merchandise discount stores in about 15 states, mostly in the Midwest. The stores are located in small towns (5,500 people, on average), most of which are not served by mass merchandisers, such as Wal-Mart. Pamida's stores sell brand-name and private-label apparel, jewelry, health and beauty aids, housewares, electronics, and lawn and garden supplies. Most stores also sell groceries and two-thirds have in-store pharmacies. Formerly a division of ShopKo Stores, Pamida and ShopKo are portfolio companies of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners.

Pathmark's rival in the Northeast, acquired the chain for about $1.4 billion in late 2007. Three years later, A&P filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Pathmark rings up about 45% of A&P's annual sales.Pathmark Stores hopes it's finally on the upward path now that it has become part of the A&P family of grocery chains. Pathmark operates about 140 supermarkets, under the Pathmark and Pathmark Sav-A-Center banners, in densely populated areas in four states: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Many of its stores are Pathmark Super Centers, which offer an expanded selection of general merchandise and foods, nearly all have pharmacies, and more than half have in-store banks

Tropic Building Supplies has built our company around export. Since 1993 we have been a full-service exporter of quality building materials to the Caribbean, South and Central American markets. We sell all items used in residential, commercial and light industrial construction. We are export specialists and understand which construction and building materials hold up best to the harsh Caribbean sun, wind, rain, and salt. Our professional salespeople, many with architectural degrees, continually search for the newest products on the market, and can recommend or supply technical assistance on a wide range of items.

Pilot offers a salve to those suffering from white-line fever. Its Pilot Travel Centers LLC, a joint venture between Pilot and CVC Capital Partners, runs more than 300 truck stops in some 40 states. Each features restaurant chains such as Subway, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Pilot has fuel islands large enough to service several 18-wheelers at a time and private showers. Pilot Truck Care Centers provide TLC for big rigs. The firm also owns and operates about 45 convenience stores under the Pilot Food Mart banner in Tennessee. James Haslam II got Pilot off the ground in 1958 as a gas station that sold cigarettes and soft drinks; now his son, CEO James Haslam III, pilots the firm. The Haslam family owns the company.

The Robert Allen Group is a leading designer and marketer of fabrics and home furnishings under numerous brand names, including Robert Allen, Robert Allen @ Home, Ametex, and Beacon Hill. Each line serves a particular price point and market niche. Also, the Robert Allen Contract division works to customize fabrics and designs for corporate, hospitality, and healthcare customers. In 2002 The Robert Allen Group was acquired by family-owned Decor Holdings.

Reid Furniture is Scotland's largest independent retailer of home furnishings. Products offered include upholstered furniture, bedding, tables, lamps, rugs, and artwork. The family-run chain operates than 30 stores in Scotland, England, and Ireland. Reid's was the region's largest maker of upholstered furniture until it shutdown its manufacturing operations in 2008 and turned to cheaper foreign sources. The company, which was founded by former company chairman Sam Reid in 1970, was taken private by its management, including CEO Alan Marnie, in 2006.

J & R Electronics redefines block party. J & R Electronics Inc. is a leading electronics retailer with 10 specialty electronics shops in the same New York City block. The stores make up one retail megastore, J&R Music and Computer World, which measures more than 300,000 sq. ft. and is known for discount prices and customer service. The firm also operates an in-store shop at Macy's in Herald Square and peddles products through its website. J & R's merchandise includes audio and video products, computers, cameras, software, office products, music, movies, and games. Co-owners Joe and Rachelle Friedman used their wedding money to finance the founding of J & R Electronics in 1971.

Doc's Drugs was founded by Dave Sartoris, who runs the company with his son Tony. After visiting the doc, customers in northeastern Illinois can fill their prescriptions at Doc's Drugs. The regional drugstore chain operates more than15 pharmacies under the Doc's Discount Drugs banner. In addition to dispensing prescription medications, Doc's Drugs sells medical equipment, collectibles, electronics, and toys, as well as offering in-store photo processing. Doc's Drugs also sells more than 100 products online. Doc's Drugs, Ltd. company is remodeling many of its stores to focus on its pharmacy operation, which accounts for 80% of sales. To that end, it is eliminating hardware, liquor, and groceries from its shelves.

Baker Distributing Co. is engaged in the marketing and distribution of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment, parts and supplies. With over 200 Service Centers across the United States, we are everywhere our customers need us to be. We bring over 65 years of business experience and knowledge of the HVAC and Commercial Refrigeration industries to our customers. Contact us now to begin receiving the world-class services your company deserves! Each Baker Distributing Service Center is staffed by the most knowledgeable and customer service oriented people in our industry. With a complete inventory of HVAC/R products and technical assistance, our Service Centers can provide you with the products and information you need to make your job and you more efficient.

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