Founded in Boston in 1909 by Edward Filene, the company in 2009 was acquired out of bankruptcy by rival off-price retailer Syms Corp. Syms has maintained long-held traditions, such as the annual "Running of the Brides," at 100-year-old Filene's Basement, as well as the Filene's name and many of the company's employees. You don't have to go underground to get to Filene's Basement. The retailer operates about 25 stores under the Filene's Basement and fbSY banners in Massachusetts, New York, and half a dozen other states and the District of Columbia. The stores sell off-price men's and women's designer and name-brand apparel and shoes, as well as jewelry and home goods.

Bhs was founded in 1928, and at the time the highest price for any item found inside was a mere shilling. Over the years it has expanded its merchandise line, and has opened more than a dozen stores specializing in exclusively homewares. Bhs Limited company is owned by billionaire UK retail investor, managing director Philip Green. Bhs wants to prevent its customers from throwing open their closet doors and letting out big heavy sighs. Formerly British Home Stores, Bhs operates more than 100 stores throughout the UK. One of the high street's best-known names, it sells clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children, as well as a variety of furnishings, appliances, gifts, and accessories for the home.

Specialty Merchandise Corporation (SMC) wants to be the first company you call. SMC warehouses thousands of gifts and home decor accessories, and its members sell them at a markup. Its inventory includes everything from bird feeders to cutlery sets to billiards tables. The company offers its members merchandise catalogs, a business coach, a personalized e-commerce site, and selling manuals and videos for either $300 upfront (gold plan) or about $480 paid in monthly installments (silver plan). Marketing information covers running a business via home parties, flea markets, mail order, and fundraising, among others.

MacBeath Hardwood Company was founded in the early 1950s by K.E. MacBeath. This MacBeath doesn't want to get the spot out. MacBeath Hardwood Company specializes in spotted and striped specialty hardwoods from the US, Mexico, Panama, India, Brazil, and several African nations. With wood from its 300,000 board feet-capacity drying kiln, the company makes furniture squares, lumber, veneer, plywood, maple countertops, and specialty products like hand rails, marine plywood, and wood "blanks" to be used for baseball bats. MacBeath has five distribution centers in California, Indiana, and Utah; it also ships large loads worldwide. It also operates an online store.

Haggen showers shoppers in the Pacific Northwest with salmon, coffee, and other essentials. The area's largest independent grocer, Haggen operates 30-plus combination supermarkets throughout Washington and Oregon. Most upscale Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores feature specialty departments, while the TOP Food & Drug outlets emphasize savings; however, both may offer such amenities as Starbucks coffee shops, Blockbuster video outlets, or child-care centers. To keep up with the Joneses of supermarket fame and fortune, Haggen partnered with ShopEaze.com (an e-commerce service provider), which failed, leaving Haggen without an online store. Brothers and co-chairmen Don and Rick Haggen own the chain.

ARI Network Services helps the manliest of industries attract smart shoppers. The company markets software for creating electronic parts catalogs and e-commerce websites in industries such as outdoor power equipment, power sports, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, appliances, and agricultural equipment. More than 18,000 dealers, manufacturers, and distributors use its applications. Its PartSmart program allows companies to collect, organize, and maintain product information for their suppliers and dealers, who can access and search the database. In addition, the company's e-commerce and communication applications process orders, product registrations, and warranty claims and perform search engine optimization.

Saks Incorporated began as Proffitt’s, Inc. with just five Proffitt’s stores in metropolitan Knoxville, Tennessee. Proffitt's, Inc. became a public company in June 1987. From 1994 to 1998, we added McRae’s, Parisian, Younkers, Herberger's, and Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (which included Bergner's and Boston Store) as well as 32 additional stores from Lovemans, Hess, Parks-Belk, and Brody’s, which were converted into existing store nameplates.

The regional home improvement center chain was founded in 1962. A management group led by chairman and former CEO Charles Bender acquired the company in 1988 and now owns about one-quarter of Busy Beaver, which is facing heavyweight competition from big-box chains, such as Home Depot and Lowe's. They're busy as, well, you know what kind of animals at Busy Beaver Building Centers. The company has 15 stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia selling ceilings, flooring, lumber, plumbing fixtures, and other building materials, along with garden supplies, hardware, power equipment, and tools. Busy Beaver serves the professional contractor as well as the do-it-yourselfer.

Redcats has some red hot deals. It 90+ catalogs and websites offer apparel (including men's and women's plus-size clothing), home furnishings, outdoor gear, sporting goods, and fashion accessories. Major brands include Avenue, Brylane, Roaman's, The Sportsman's Guide, La Redoute, and Ellos. With a presence in more than 30 countries, Redcats has about 600 stores in France, its largest market (the US is second). Redcats USA oversees its US business; it also has major operations in Scandinavia. Nearly all the company's products are designed in-house, not surprising considering its parent is PPR, owner of fashion houses Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Redcats in 2010 purchased plus-size fashion website Castaluna.com.

Pricing (generally under $30) on the latest fashion looks, presented in attractive stores, makes our stores an easy and fun place to shop. The average store size is 2,800 to 3,000 square feet. Stores are equipped with the latest point of sale technology for faster merchandise replenishment. Since 1987, Simply Fashion Stores, Ltd. has been a closely held company that appreciates quality relationships with its vendors, associates and guests.Through the assistance of suppliers and the enthusiasm of the associates, Simply Fashion Stores, Ltd. is quickly becoming a leader in the low-price ready-to-wear industry. Awards include recognition by Inc. magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies, as well as by Birmingham Alabama’s Venture Club’s prestigious John S. Jemison Award.

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