Before Old Navy, there was the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Active-duty military personnel, reservists, retirees, and their family members can shop and gas up at more than 100 NEXCOM retail stores (brand-name and private-label merchandise ranging from apparel to home electronics), more than 155 NEXCOM Ships Stores (basic necessities), and its 100-plus Uniform Support Centers (the sole source of authorized uniforms). NEXCOM also runs about 40 Navy Lodges (motels) in the US and about half a dozen foreign countries. NEXCOM receives tax dollars for its shipboard stores, but it is otherwise self-supporting. Most of the profits fund morale, welfare, and recreational programs (MWR) for sailors.

DirectGroup Bertelsmann GmbH runs book clubs especially popular in Europe and Asia under such brands as Der Club in Germany, France Loisirs in France, and Circulo de Lectores in Spain. Club members can access its products through mail-order catalogs, the Internet, or one of 800 retail stores worldwide. DirectGroup Bertelsmann boasts 35 million members worldwide and operates in more than 20 countries. The company is a division of German media firm Bertelsmann AG, which sold its faltering American book club operations in 2008 to focus on Europe and Asia.

Mikimoto opened its first freestanding store on New York City's famous Fifth Avenue in 1975. In addition to its Fifth Avenue location, Mikimoto operates retail stores in Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa, California, as well as in Las Vegas. The jeweler also operates an online store. Mikimoto company also distributes non-Mikimoto brand pearls to jewelry chains including Fred Meyer Jewelers, Kay Jewelers, and Zales. Kokichi Mikimoto was among the pioneers of the cultured-pearl industry. While a diamond may be "forever," a Mikimoto pearl is nothing to sneeze at. Mikimoto (America) is the US arm of Japanese pearl manufacturer, K. Mikimoto & Co., a leading creator of cultured pearl jewelry that is sold worldwide.

Spicers is nothing to sneeze at -- the company is a leading office products and equipment wholesaler in the UK and France, where most of its 20-plus distribution centers are located; it also holds strong market positions in Ireland, France, and the Benelux countries, and is developing its business in Germany, Italy, and Spain. The company's 18,000 products, which are sold to office products dealers via its numerous catalogs and Web site, include office equipment, furniture, and janitorial supplies sold under major manufacturers' brands as well as its own brand, 5 Star. Spicers accounts for about one-third of the revenues of its packaging and paper parent company, DS Smith.

Tiffany & Co., through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and retail of fine jewelry. Its jewelry products include gemstone jewelry, gemstone band rings, diamond rings, wedding bands for brides and grooms, non-gemstone, gold or platinum jewelry, and sterling silver jewelry. The company also offers TIFFANY & CO. brand merchandise, including timepieces and clocks; sterling silver merchandise, including flatware, hollowware, trophies, key holders, picture frames, and desk accessories; crystal, glassware, china, and other tableware; custom engraved stationery; writing instruments; eyewear; leather goods; and fashion accessories. In addition, it provides fragrance products sold under the trademarks, including TIFFANY, PURE TIFFANY, and TIFFANY FOR MEN. The company serves its customers through retail sales, Internet and catalog sales, business to business sales, and wholesale distribution primarily in the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. It also sells its products through TIFFANY & CO. stores, as well as through department store boutiques in Japan. As of January 31, 2010, Tiffany & Co. operated approximately 220 retail stores worldwide. Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 and is based in New York, New York.

Underwood Jewelers Corporation company was founded as a diamond and watch store in 1928 by namesake Herbert F. Underwood. Bromberg and Co. purchased Underwood in 1974, and although Bromberg family members remain involved in Underwood, the two companies operate seperately. Because there can't be enough bling in Florida, there's regional player Underwood Jewelers. The high-end jewelry chain operates three stores in the Jacksonville area of Florida which offer the usual mix of jewelry, watches, and collectables, as well as silver serving platters and china dinnerware. Additionally, Underwood offers a bridal registry, and sells collections of diamond, gold, and silver earrings, and baby gifts online.

D'Ieteren s.a was founded two centuries ago as a coachbuilder; these days, it's the largest car distributor in Belgium, the 60% owner of car rental firm Avis Europe, and -- through subsidiary Belron -- one of the world's largest players in vehicle glass replacement. D'Ieteren's domestic vehicle distribution business deals Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen cars, as well as Yamaha motorcycles. Belron operates in Australia, Europe, North and South America, and New Zealand under the CARGLASS and AUTOGLASS brands, among others. The firm has been managed by six generations of the founding D'Ieteren family.

The Paradies Shops operates more than 500 shops in airports, hotels, and aquariums throughout the US and Canada. It serves more than a half billion passengers annually, with retail sites that include bookstores, gift shops, jewelry stores, ladies accessory shops, newsstands, sunglass stores, and western stores, among others. Paradies Shops is also the exclusive licensee of Brooks Brothers, CNBC, PGA Tour, and the New York Times. The firm operates several hotel properties and the retail program for the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The company was founded by the Paradies family in 1960. In mid-2010 it sold a majority stake to Freeman Spogli & Co.

Source Interlink wants to have a hand in the transaction. A major distributor of magazines in the US and Canada, its customers have included Barnes & Noble, Target, CVS, 7-Eleven, and Wal-Mart. In addition to distribution, Source Interlink publishes special-interest magazines, such as Motor Trend, Soap Opera Digest, and Stereophile. It also owns and produces content for about 90 websites. The firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2009 and emerged in June as a privately held company.

PaperCo, established in 1987, has a network of about 30 sales and distribution centers and operates throughout the UK. The Paper Company Limited is a subsidiary of Australia-based PaperlinX. The Paper Company (PaperCo) is among the UK's top four national paper distributors in terms of size and sales. PaperCo carries about 80 branded and generic products, including a growing range of recycled grades, that cover about 18,000 lines of coated and uncoated printing papers and laser, inkjet, and copier papers. The Paper Company Limited also operates specialist divisions that supply paper reels and display materials.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.