Brookstone is a nationwide specialty retailer offering an assortment of consumer products that are functional in purpose, distinctive in quality and design and not widely available from other retailers. Brookstone first introduced itself to the world in a small classified ad selling "hard-to-find tools" in Popular Mechanics Magazine. The year was 1965. From the beginning, quality of product, quality of service, and quality of people have been a hallmark of Brookstone. The first catalog consisted of 24 black-and-white pages, with detailed, no-nonsense information on features, capabilities, measurements, materials and anything that would help the customer with his or her buying decision. As Brookstone's catalog success grew, its operations expanded. In 1973, Brookstone opened its first retail store in Peterborough, New Hampshire, where an unsolicited walk-in trade quickly developed. Today, Brookstone manages operations through its headquarters in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and in its Distribution Center and Customer Service Department (web, mail and telephone orders) in Mexico, Missouri. Meanwhile, the Company currently operates more than 300 retail stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, primarily in premium shopping malls, lifestyle centers and the nation's busiest airports, and opens 10 to 15 new stores each year. Originally a catalog company, Brookstone today operates a multifaceted Direct-Marketing business that includes catalogs, e-mail and affiliate marketing, and an online site offering hundreds more products than are available in our retail and airport stores. From the start Brookstone created a fun, interactive shopping experience. At our stores customers are encouraged to try products out for true, hands-on shopping. Every visit to Brookstone is an opportunity to discover new and ingenious items of superior quality—all in a friendly environment of customer service and integrity that simply can't be found anywhere else.

Maner Builders Supply Company was founded in 1951 as the Maner Hardware & Supply Company. You can build a manor house with what Maner Builders Supply Company can offer. It sells and distributes building supplies such as cabinets, doors, fencing materials, gypsum, masonry, roofing, and windows, through about a half dozen locations in Georgia and the Carolinas. Maner Builders Supply company offers free quotes, free delivery, and warranty assistance for its customers. Maner Builders Supply carries products from manufacturers such as Bradley, Buckley Rumford Fireplaces, Ceco Door, Makita, Palmetto Brick, Parex, and Wellborn Cabinet.

Established in 1986 by John Beale, Past Times is a retailer of historical and vintage giftware. The chain has about 80 shops throughout the UK, which hawk items such as books, jewelry, and knick-knacks. In addition to its regular stores, Past Times operates several outlets and sells through catalogs and its Web site. Products on offer are often organized by era, but each store represents several eras such as Bauhaus, Art Deco, or Art Nouveau. In 2001 a consortium of investors, headed by Robin Klein's Accesserator Group and calling itself Retail Variations, bought the chain out of administration. It came under new ownership in 2005.

RaceTrac Petroleum hopes it's a popular pit stop for gasoline and snacks in the Southeast. The company owns some 545 gas stations and convenience stores in about a dozen states under the RaceTrac and RaceWay names. (RaceWay stores are operated by independent contractors.) The chain plans to grow by expanding its store count by about 10% a year. Carl Bolch founded RaceTrac in Missouri in 1934. His son, chairman and CEO Carl Bolch Jr., moved the company into high-volume gas stations with long, self-service islands that can serve as many as two dozen vehicles at one time. RaceTrac's convenience stores sell fresh deli food and offer some fast-food fare. The Bolch family owns the company.

James Halstead was founded in 1915. The Halstead family still retains control of more than half of James Halstead plc company's ownership, while company employees account for more than 10% of ownership. James Halstead wants to give the floor over to its customers. James Halstead manufactures, markets, and distributes products that include commercial flooring, industrial trailers and trailer tents, and motorcycle accessories. Customers include hospitals, pubs, prisons and schools. James Halstead plc operates mainly in the UK and Germany, but also in Australia and New Zealand.

Debenhams has 153 stores across the UK and Ireland and a fully transactional website, reflecting Debenhams' commitment to offering our customers greater value, a wider choice and excellent service across every area in which we trade.Debenhams has sat front-row to fashion for nearly two centuries. The stalwart retailer runs about 155 mid-market department stores in the UK and Ireland that sell women's, men's, and children's apparel; cosmetics; and housewares under the Debenhams and Desire by Debenhams banners.

Liberty Media takes the liberty of arranging its varied businesses as it wishes. The holding company comprises publicly traded Liberty Capital Group, Liberty Starz, and Liberty Interactive Group. The arrangement separates the company's fast-growing video and online commerce operations from its less robust telecommunications and entertainment businesses. Liberty Media's largest holding, the QVC home-shopping network, is part of Liberty Interactive, as is e-tailer Provide Commerce. Movie producer and distributor Starz Media belongs to Liberty Starz and the Atlanta Braves baseball team both to Liberty Capital. In 2010 the company announced plans to merge and spin off Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz.

Schuh wants to spread its passion for all things shoe. With about 50 stores scattered about the UK and 20-plus concessions in Ireland (through a partnership there) and a retail web site, Schuh is the exclusive retailer of the Red or Dead label in the UK, in addition to such other brands as Scholl's, adidas, Nike, Dr. Marten's, and Clarks, as well as its own brands. In fact, Schuh Limited company, founded in 1981, is known for its extraordinary variety in footwear. In June 2004 Schuh Limited company underwent a management buyout from founder Sandy Alexander and private investor David Stevenson of Edinburgh Woollen Mill development.

There might be a trip to Best Buy for some CDs or a television in your future. Best Buy Canada operates about 210 consumer electronics superstores under the three brands: Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, and Future Shop. The retail outlets offer televisions, computers, and DVD players, as well as cameras, CDs, DVDs, mobile phones, and software. In addition the Future Shop stores, which average 26,700 square feet and are smaller than Best Buy Canada locations, offer home appliances, office supplies, and maintenance services. Best Buy Canada also offers customers in-home and commercial technical support through its Geek Squad services unit. US-based retail giant Best Buy acquired the Future Shop chain in 2002.

Sur La Table, Inc sells appliances, bakeware, cookbooks, housewares, specialty foods, and other goodies for professional and home chefs from about 80 stores in some 30 states, a website, and catalogs that make foodies drool. For customers who aren't sure how to best use the Le Creuset casserole dish, Cuisinart food processor, or Chef's Choice waffle maker, the company offers cooking classes and cookbook signing events in many of its stores. Founded in 1972 at Seattle's famous Pike's Place Market, Sur La Table is owned jointly by the Behnke family, including its chairman Carl Behnke, and private investor Freeman Spogli.

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