The Forzani Group in 1974. Forzani has since become Canada's largest sporting goods retailer. The company operates more than 330 company-owned stores under such banners as Athletes World, Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Chek, S3, Sport Mart, and National Sports. The company also franchises about 230 stores under names that include Atmosphere, Econosports, Hockey Experts, Intersport, and Sports Experts. It has about a 20% share of the sporting goods retail market in Canada.

Sport Supply Group (SSG) knows how to play the game. Primarily through its catalogs, the company makes and markets about 20,000 sports-equipment products, including balls of all types, tennis court nets, soccer goals, weight-lifting equipment, and other sporting and recreational equipment and uniforms. It also sells through telemarketing programs and about 90 e-commerce sites. SSG peddles products mostly to institutional customers, such as youth sports programs, YMCAs, schools, and municipal recreation departments. The company has grown through acquisitions of sports equipment manufacturers and distributors over the years. The company was acquired by investment firm Onex in August 2010.

Archibald's knows hot wheels when it sees 'em. The auto dealer specializes in the sale of used luxury vehicles from a single location in Kennewick, Washington. Archibald's swanky rides include BMW, Acura, Cadillac, Jaguar, and Mercedes Benz. Visitors to the company's Web site can check inventory, view photos of each vehicle, check trade-in values, and apply for financing. Archibald's claims its success is due to applying the golden rule, treat other people the way you would like to be treated, to its business model. The company is owned by president John Archibald and vice president Daniel Archibald.

Books-A-Million, Inc. operates as a book retailer in the southeastern United States. The company operates superstores and traditional bookstores that offer a selection of hardcover and paperback books, magazines, and newspapers. It also offers other merchandise, including gifts, cards, collectibles, magazines, music, and DVDs, as well as coffee, tea, and other edible products. The company also offers its products over the Internet at Booksamillion.com. It markets its products under the trademarks of Books-A-Million, BAM! Books-A-Million, Bookland, Books & Co., Millionaire’s Club, Sweet Water Press, Thanks-A-Million, Big Fat Coloring Book, Up All Night Reader, Read & Save Rebate, Readables Accessories for Readers, Kids-A-Million, Teachers First, The Write-Price, Bambeanos, Hold That Thought, Book$mart, BAMM, BAMM.com, BOOKSAMILLION.com, Chillatte, Joe Muggs Newsstand, Page Pets, JOEMUGGS.com, FAITHPOINT.com, Faithmark, Joe Muggs, Anderson’s Bookland, Snow Joe, American Wholesale Book Company, AWBC, and NetCentral. As of January 31, 2010, the company operated 223 stores, including 201 superstores under the Books-A-Million and Books & Co. brands; and 22 traditional stores under the Bookland and Books-A-Million brands in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Books-A-Million, Inc. was founded in 1917 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Ryman is owned by chairman Theo Paphitis, who purchased the company in 1995. Ryman thinks that if you really want to inject something inspired and clever into your love letters, you'd better sit down and write them using the proper equipment. Ryman Limited, better known by its retail brand, Ryman the stationer, sells office supplies through about 100 stores throughout the UK. Its products include paper and envelopes, writing instruments and desk accessories, and filing and storage items. Ryman also sells office equipment that will help you with your earlier letter drafts, such as printers, fax machines, shredders, and laminating equipment, as well as calculators, typewriters, and mobile phones.

U.S. Toy Co. turns play into work and vice versa. The toy company and its divisions, including Constructive Playthings and U.S. Toy Magic, sell party and novelty items, magic books and supplies, early childhood toys, and multimedia learning materials. U.S. Toy Co., Inc., founded in 1953, operates through stores located in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas. U.S. Toy Co. also peddles its wares through its Web site. U.S. Toy Co., Inc. publishes catalogs for each of its divisions, including two for Constructive Playthings (one for school and one for family).

Adventure 16, Inc. operates a chain of retail outdoor outfitters in Southern California. It has about half a dozen locations, plus a wholesale division that distributes accessories for backpacking, camping, climbing, and adventure travel. The company offers lifetime guarantees on all its private-label products. Its Web site offers resources, guides, and classes for outdoor journeys, a backpacker's checklist, an interactive map and reviews of recommended hikes, a gallery of adventure photos, and an outdoor blog written by staff. Adventure 16 was incorporated by Mic Mead in 1970.

Gold Crest Distributing was founded in 1995 by its president Mel Toellner. Gold Crest Distributing boasts a good-as-gold guarantee. Gold Crest Distributing, LLC sells some 5,000 backyard nature and bird items, including bird seed, feeders, baths, Purple Martin houses, and accessories to wholesale and retail businesses nationwide. The company has been expanding its product line to include gifts, pet products, and seasonal items. Gold Crest distributes bird supplies to some 1,900 retail stores throughout the US and Canada. Gold Crest Distributing, LLC also operates two Songbird Station stores in Missouri and an online store.

Paper is as good as gold for Gould Paper, one of the largest distributors of business and printing papers in North America. The paper merchant distributes and sells paper to multiple markets, including fine paper, commercial printing, lithography, newsprint, direct-mail, catalog, envelope, and specialty paper companies. Gould also supplies paperboard, which is used in packaging material for consumer and industrial products, and operates paper-converting operations. Touting sales of 2 million tons of paper products annually, Gould Paper Corporation company represents most major domestic and offshore mills. Founded in 1924, Gould Paper sold a majority stake in Gould Paper Corporation company to the US arm of Japan Pulp & Paper (JPP) in 2010.

Braman Management Association dealerships, most of which operate under the Braman name, sell upscale makes such as Acura, AUDI, Bentley, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce; it also sells new Hondas and Mitsubishis and a variety of used cars. Each Braman location offers parts and service departments. Owner and CEO Norman Braman, who once owned the Philadelphia Eagles, formed Braman Management in 1972.It's no bull to say that Braman Management sells cars fit for Brahmans. Braman Management operates dealerships in Greenacres, Miami, and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Denver, Lakewood, and Littleton, Colorado

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