The Birthdays concept was later launched in 1986. Clinton Cards purchased its rival Birthdays in 2004 and runs the unit as a separate business. Amid economic turmoil and slowed consumer spending, however, Birthdays collapsed into administration (the equivalent of bankruptcy in the US) in 2009. You say it's your birthday? Well, your friends better run to a Birthdays store for those cards! The company operates about 200 (down from more than 400) Birthdays stores in the UK and Ireland offering discount greeting cards and party supplies for every occasion. Founded in 1966 as Ron Wood Greeting Cards, the company was originally a distributor of cards and gift wrap until the mid-1970s when it opened three card shops.

Star Struck was founded in 1981. Jewelers can set their watches by Star Struck. Star Struck LLC distributes batteries, repair tools, testing machines, cleaning agents, and other supplies for jewelry and watchmaking. Besides its batteries for timepieces, Star Struck carries batteries for calculators, cameras, and hearing aids from major brands (Energizer, Rayovac) as well as its own private label. Star Struck LLC serves more than 17,000 customers, including jewelers, watch repairmen, electronics professionals, and hobbyists. Its products are sold via phone or online.

The Music People! serves music people by distributing professional audio equipment and accessories, including microphones, wireless systems, recording and mixing systems, and racks and stands. The company makes the On-Stage Stands brand of support stands, including microphone stands, orchestra stands and accessories, and speaker stands. It also makes on-stage sticks and drum hardware. The Connecticut-based firm sells to dealers, contractors, and businesses only.

Founded in 1988, Carpetright is led by its chairman and chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham, who owns about 25% of the group. Carpetright hasn't been wrong about flooring. Founded in 1988, Carpetright is the leading European flooring retailer with 500-plus stores operating under the Carpetright banner throughout the UK and Ireland. Carpetright company also boasts more than 120 stores located in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland. In addition to carpets, it sells area rugs and vinyl and wood-like laminate flooring. Carpetright also operates some 60 concessions in department stores.

The British Internet retailer was founded in 1998 by Michael Smith and Tom Boardman as a means to promote their Shot Glass Chess Set invention. A decade later it began doing business in the US. Firebox.com sells the very gadgets that women are forced to yell over to get their men's (and boys') attention. Firebox.com (formerly hotbox.co.uk) is an Internet retailer selling toys, games, and high-tech gadgets for boys (and girls, really) of all ages; products include remote-controlled cars and planes for the younger set, while for the older guys there are DVDs, cameras, tools, sea scooters, pool tables, and even the Internet Fridge (a refrigerator complete with a 56k modem, TV, radio, and digital camera).

Founded in 1972, McCoy Workplace Solutions is currently led by president and CEO Stan Bunting. McCoy Workplace Solutions is the real McCoy when it comes to business furniture. It will sell it to you -- then come help arrange it. McCoy Workplace Solutions supplies everything you need to furnish an office -- desks, chairs, tables, cubicle systems, lighting, and even floor coverings. McCoy Workplace Solutions sells both new and used furniture from more than 200 manufacturers, including Interface, NuCraft, and Steelcase. McCoy also provides services such as furniture rental, installation, maintenance, project management, and repairs.

CarMax, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles in the United States. It also sells new vehicles under various franchise agreements. In addition, the company provides a range of related products and services, including the financing of vehicle purchases through its finance operation, CarMax Auto Finance, and third-party lenders; the sale of extended service plans and accessories; the appraisal and purchase of vehicles directly from consumers; and vehicle repair services. Further, it sells vehicles that do not meet its retail standards to licensed dealers through on-site wholesale auctions. As of February 28, 2010, the company operated 59 production superstores and 41 non-production superstores. CarMax, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, Virginia.

Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center sells musical instruments (guitars, keyboards, drums, and band and orchestra instruments), as well as professional audio, disc jockey, and lighting equipment from a single store in Wheaton, Maryland. Its sister company, Washington Professional Systems, sells and installs high-end audio and video equipment for stadiums, boardrooms, schools, and religious institutions, as well as home theaters. The family-owned and -operated company was founded in 1968 by Marge and Chuck Levin. Chuck's son Robert took over the business in 2002 following the death of his father.

B&T primarily serves two types of markets. Its core business distributes books, videos, and music, and provides value-added services to thousands of school, public, and specialty libraries worldwide. The firm's retail unit supplies storefront and Internet book and music retailers, as well as independent booksellers, with a million book titles and about 385,000 DVD and CD titles. On the Internet (where it formerly operated as Informata.com), B&T offers B2B e-commerce fulfillment services. B&T is owned by investment firm Castle Harlan.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and sale of automotive products and services. It offers new and used vehicles and related financing, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts, warranty, insurance, and extended service contracts. The company has operations located in major metropolitan areas in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas in the United States; and in the towns of Brighton, Hailsham, and Worthing in the United Kingdom. As of June 23, 2010, Group 1 Automotive owned and operated 101 automotive dealerships, 136 franchises, and 25 collision service centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 32 brands of automobiles. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

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