Southern Co-operatives originally dipped its toe into the co-operative market in 1873. The regional consumer co- operative society operates about 120 convenience stores under The Co-op banner in mid-southern England. The co-op added the David's chain of convenience stores on the Isle of Wight during the past few years. Its other lines of business include funeral services and property investment. The co-op exited the milk delivery business -- Southern Co-operative Dairies by selling it to the Co-operative Group (CWS). Established as the Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society by dockyard workers in Portsmouth, the group changed its name to Southern Co-operatives Limited in 1998.

Modern Builders Supply (MBS) is an old hand when it comes to windows and doors. The company, founded in 1944, makes and markets window and door systems through its Polaris Technologies division. The company's brands include Polaris Dynatech and Polaris UltraWeld. MBS also distributes products from other leading manufacturers, including roofing, siding, and accessories (Alcoa, Certainteed, Owens Corning); kitchen components (4B Wood Cabinets, Kraftmaid); entry and storm doors (Pease, Therma-Tru); and tools and equipment (QualCraft, Werner). President and CEO Kevin Leggett runs the company with his brother, COO Eric.

Fresh Encounter was founded in 1995 by Mike Needler when he purchased CWC Companies from his father-in-law. Today, the business is owned and run by the Needler family.They aren't offering encounters of the third kind, but they can help you out with a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. Fresh Encounter operates 30-plus supermarkets in Ohio and eastern Indiana under the Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, and Sack 'N Save Supermarket banners. To better compete with larger national chains, such as Kroger and Wal-Mart, Fresh Encounter's stores emphasize personalized service, 10 for $10 items specials, fresh-cut meat, community involvement, and private label products.

Victoria's Secret is not hush-hush, but it is unmentionable(s). The largest subsidiary of Limited Brands (based on sales) is also North America's #1 specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel, operating about 1,040 mostly mall-based Victoria's Secret and 250-plus La Senza lingerie stores throughout the US and Canada. Bras, panties, hosiery, swimwear, shoes, and more are sold under the Victoria's Secret brand and grouped in collections such as Dream Angels and Very Sexy. Many Victoria's Secret lingerie stores also sell beauty products. Its sister company Victoria's Secret Direct mails about 400 million of its sexy catalogs per year, offering intimate apparel, women's clothing, and footwear.

Walgreen Co., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation of a chain of drugstores in the United States. The company’s drugstores sell prescription and non-prescription drugs, and general merchandise. Its general merchandise comprises household products, convenience foods, and seasonal items, as well as personal care, beauty care, candy, and photofinishing products. The company offers its products and services through drugstores, as well as through mail, telephone, and the Internet. As of August 31, 2010, it operated 8,046 locations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Walgreen company also owns 37 strip shopping malls. Walgreen Co. was founded in 1901 and is based in Deerfield, Illinois.

Founded in 1952, Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. is owned by chairman Norm Miller. Interstate Battery System of America offers a battery of batteries. Interstate Battery System of Amerian can provide the electrical juice for everything from cell phones and laptops to boats, lawn mowers, motorcycles, and RVs. It also makes replacement automobile batteries for such brands as Ford, Subaru, and Toyota. Consumers can purchase Interstate Battery's products online and at more than 200,000 retail locations, including some 340 Interstate All Battery Centers in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Interstate Battery System of America, Inc. has about 300 distributors throughout North America. Interstate Battery sponsors the Joe Gibbs Racing team on the NASCAR circuit.

Robertson Heating Supply Co. was founded in 1934. When the Buckeyes, Wolverines, and Nittany Lions get cold, Robertson Heating Supply helps to warm them up. The company distributes heating, air conditioning, and plumbing supplies as well as kitchen products through about 30 locations in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Designers and engineers are also available to help with kitchen, commercial HVAC, and hydronic projects. In addition to its retailing activities, Robertson Heating Supply offers state-certified training programs.

Founded in 1929, Fisher Auto Parts is owned by the Fisher family and run by CEO Bo Fisher. Though it hooks a lot of do-it-yourselfers, Fisher Auto Parts is primarily trying to lure the professional installer. The company operates through about 300 stores in some 15 states (mostly on the East Coast and in the Midwest). It is also the founding member of Federated Auto Parts, an automotive supply distribution network that serves more than 3,800 retail locations. Fisher Auto Parts provides for do-it-yourselfers, but its business focus is on professional installers. To enhance service for them, company workers are Automotive Service Excellence certified.

Founded in 1984, The Strategies Group serves some 1,700 construction and real estate management firms in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas. The company's primary strategy is to sell and service the Southwest. The Strategies Group resells construction and real estate software from Timberline, as well as several other software firms including Deltek. The reseller carries such software title as Sage Timberline Office, Sage Master Builder, Sage CRM, Sage AccPac ERP, and Deltek Vision. The firm also provides technical consulting and installation services, as well as classroom and Web-based training to support its software sales.

Destination Maternity Corporation engages in the design and retail of maternity apparel. Destination Maternity Corporation offers casual and career wear, formal attire, lingerie, sportswear, and outerwear. As of September 30, 2009, Destination Maternity Corporation operated 1,084 retail locations, including 724 stores in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Canada, and 360 leased departments located within department stores and baby specialty stores throughout the United States. It operates stores under Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, and Destination Maternity brand names. Motherhood Maternity brand serves the value-priced portion of the maternity apparel industry; and stores are located in regional malls, strip and power centers, and central business districts. A Pea in the Pod brand serves both the medium-priced portion and the luxury portion of the maternity apparel business; and stores are located in regional malls, lifestyle centers, central business districts, and certain stand-alone stores in affluent street locations. Destination Maternity brand carries Motherhood and Pea merchandise; and stores are located in regional malls and lifestyle centers. Destination Maternity Corporation also sells its products on the Web through its DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific Web sites. In addition, Destination Maternity Corporation offers Two Hearts Maternity by Destination Maternity collection at approximately 600 Sears and Kmart locations throughout the U.S. through a leased department relationship. Destination Maternity Corporation also distributes its Oh Baby by Motherhood collection through a licensed arrangement at Kohl's stores in the U.S. and on Kohls.com. Further, it has franchise and product supply relationships in India and the Middle East. Destination Maternity Corporation was formerly known as Mothers Work, Inc. and changed its name to Destination Maternity Corporation in December 2008. Destination Maternity Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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