IGA grocers are independent, but not alone. The world's largest voluntary supermarket network, IGA has 6,200 stores in more than 40 countries worldwide, including about 1,350 in the US. Collectively, its members are among North America's leaders in terms of supermarket sales. IGA (which stands for either International or Independent Grocers Alliance, the company says) is owned by about 35 worldwide distribution companies, including SUPERVALU. Members can sell IGA-brand private-label products (over 2,300 items) and take advantage of joint operations and services, such as advertising and volume buying. Some stores in the IGA alliance, which primarily caters to smaller towns, also sell gas.

TBC Corporation is the nation's largest vertically integrated marketer of tires for the automotive replacement market. The Company's retail operations include Company-operated tire and automotive service centers under the " Tire Kingdom", "Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers", and "National Tire & Battery" brands, and franchised stores under the "Big O Tires" brand. TBC markets on a wholesale basis to regional tire chains and distributors serving independent tire dealers throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Through its Carroll Tire wholesale distribution centers, the Company also markets directly to independent tire dealers across the United States. Carroll Tire Company sells a wide variety of proprietary and national brands from 38 distribution centers.TBC markets and sells nine proprietary brands of tires through North America. The Multi-Mile, Cordovan, Sigma, Vanderbilt, Sumitomo, Eldorado, Laramie, Telstar, and Jetzon brands are produced by nationally recognized manufacturers and have a reputation for quality, safety, and value. These brands are distributed through TBC Private Brands and Treadways to independent retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In 2005, TBC Corporation was purchased by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA). SCOA is the largest subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation (SC), one of Japan's major integrated trading and investment business enterprises. TBC Corporation still functions as an independent company of SCOA providing the same services and products it has for many years, but has ended its 22-year stint as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ.

Orgill, Inc. is the nation’s largest independently owned hardlines distributor providing retailers across the United States and in more than 60 countries throughout the world access to more than 60,000 products and industry-leading retail services. Over the past decade Orgill, a privately held company based in Memphis, TN., has emerged as the fastest growing hardlines distributor in the United States. Orgill’s market-focused approach to distribution has earned the company a reputation of unsurpassed customer service. Through its mix of sophisticated marketing programs, low-cost distribution services, highly flexible programs and a corporate dedication to support the uniqueness of individual retailers, Orgill has emerged as a viable alternative to the industry’s co-operatives. With five domestic distribution centers and three export consolidation facilities, Orgill, Inc. distributes hardware and home improvement products to hardware, home improvement and building material retailers of all types and sizes.

Formerly named Hardware Wholesalers, Do it Best was founded in 1945. If you're building a house or fixing one up, you might as well Do it Best -- at least that's the hope of one of the hardware industry's largest cooperatives. Do it Best boasts more than 4,100 member-owned stores in 45-plus countries worldwide, but primarily the US. Besides the usual tools and building materials, merchandise includes automotive items, bicycles, camping gear, housewares, office supplies, and small appliances. Customers can also have products specially shipped to their local stores through Do it Best's e-commerce site. The co-op's buying power enables members to offer items at competitive prices.

Netto has all of the ingredients for you to create your favorite omeletto or bruschetto, or to feed your hungry housepetto. The UK arm of Denmark's Dansk Supermarked, Netto Foodstores operates some 195 hard-discount grocery stores throughout England, all easily recognized by their trademark black Scottie. Netto's no-frills stores sell a limited range of food and non-food products (only 1,100 items) at deeply reduced prices. Its parent company has agreed to sell its UK subsidiary to grocery giant ASDA to better concentrate on its supermarket business in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The $1.2 billion deal is expected to close in late 2010. Dansk Supermarked is 68% owned by Marsk Group.

W.S. Badcock Corporation sells furniture for every room in the house through more than 300 Badcock Home Furnishing Centers and Badcock &more stores in about 10 southeastern states as well as online. Badcock stores also carry appliances, lawn equipment, electronics, mattresses, floor coverings and rugs, bedding, lighting, wall art, and other decorative accessories. Founded in 1904 as a general mercantile store by Henry S. Badcock, the company is in its fourth generation of family management.

Established in 1985, Northern Reflections has become a trusted brand known for our fashionable, unique clothing designed to comfortably fit and flatter a woman’s body. We began with one store in Guelph, Ontario, and today have over 160 stores coast to coast. Our exclusively-designed collections, flare for colour and our comfort-tailored garments have built a very loyal following. Our friendly and knowledgeable Store Associates, and the overall brand experience, turn customers into long time friends. The Northern Reflections team is passionate about creating one-of-a-kind items and beautiful collections that reflect current fashion trends. We are devoted to developing superb quality fabrics, finishes and details in every style we produce. When entering a Northern Reflections store, that season’s latest fashions and colour pallets are instantly visible, and our Store Associates are there to help our customers put together great fitting, figure flattering, versatile looks that will enhance every wardrobe.

A chic alternative to the mall sprawl of the suburban shopping center, Elisa Wen's Walnut Creek and San Francisco stores offer 14 different lines of clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, and shoes. The upscale purveyor of women's and children's apparel offers ready-to-wear items such as Hudson jeans and Splendid tee shirts, as well as a wide array of cocktail wear, including evening outfits from Catherine Malandrino, D & G, Miguelina, and Rebecca Taylor. The stores also sell items under such brands as a L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, True Religion, Rock & Republic, Susana Monaco, and Michael Stars.

Locke Supply Co. was founded in 1955 by Don and Wanda Locke. After Don's death in 2000, the company's employees purchased Locke Supply from the family. Locke Supply has a lock on the HVAC business in Oklahoma City. Through about 160 locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, the company distributes air-conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical supplies, and tools. It also sells whirlpool baths and refrigeration equipment. Locke Supply's 300,000-square-foot distribution center holds brands like DeWalt, Bradford White, Eljer, and Armstrong Air.

Big Lots, Inc. is the nation's #1 broadline closeout retailer, with some 1,360 Big Lots stores (down from a high of 1,500 at the start of 2005) in 47 states. (More than one-third of its stores are located in California, Florida, Ohio, and Texas.) It sells a variety of brand-name products that have been overproduced, returned, discontinued, or result from liquidations, typically at 20%-40% below discounters' prices, as well as private-label items and furniture. Its wholesale division, Big Lots Wholesale, sells its discounted merchandise to a variety of retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and other wholesalers.

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