C. N. Brown company operates about 90 convenience stores under the Big Apple Food Stores banner, mostly in Maine but also in New Hampshire. The company provides heating oil, K-1, propane, and diesel gasoline through subsidiary Red Shield Heating Oil's more than 30 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. C. N. Brown also operates a handful of car washes in Maine. The family-owned and -operated company was founded in 1948 by Carlton Brown.

Since its founding in 1889, the firm has developed the boysenberry along with varieties of peaches, oranges, roses, and the patented Hotbiscus Hibiscus and Wadda Tomato. In addition to its 100-acre nursery, the company has about 30 retail garden centers that operate under the Armstrong banner in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as about 15 Pike Nurseries locations in Atlanta and North Carolina. Its stores carry shrubs, flowering plants, fruit trees, and vegetables, as well as an assortment of dirt, planters, and garden tools. Company employees own 100% of Armstrong Garden Centers. It's strange to think that any company "invented" a fruit, but Armstrong Garden Centers does just that.

H&M opened its first women's clothing store in 1947 as Hennes (Swedish for "hers"); it later bought the hunting and men's clothing store Mauritz Widforss. H&M is controlled by the family of chairman Stefan Persson (the billionaire son of founder Erling Persson). H&M Hennes & Mauritz targets the Hip & Modish. The firm designs cheap yet chic clothing, mainly for men and women ages 18 to 45, children's apparel, and its own brands of cosmetics. Fast-growing H&M operates about 2,000 stores in some 35 countries and has direct sales operations in selected areas. Germany is H&M's #1 market, accounting for about 25% of sales. About 60% of its clothing is made in Asia, the rest is manufactured primarily in Europe.

Family-owned-and-operated Davila Pharmacy operates a single drugstore in San Antonio, Texas. Prescription medications account for about 40% of sales. Davila Pharmacy also offers durable medical equipment, ostomy, diabetic, nutritional and incontinent supplies. In addition to standard pharmacy services, Davila Pharmacy boasts that all of its pharmacists are bilingual and certified to administer immunizations. It also offers home delivery in the San Antonio area and online prescription refills. Founded by Rudy Davila Sr., today the company is run by his son Rudy Jr. Davila Pharmacy made the Hispanic Business 500 list, most recently in 2008.

Etablissements Delhaize Freres Et Cie “Le Lion” S.A. (Delhaize Group), together with its subsidiaries, operates food supermarkets in North America, Europe, and southeast Asia. It also engages in food wholesaling to affiliated stores and independent wholesale customers; and in retailing of non- food products, such as pet products. Delhaize Group’s sales network also includes other store formats, such as proximity stores and specialty stores. As of September 30, 2010, its sales network consisted of 2,760 stores. Delhaize Group was founded in 1867 and is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Family-owned and -operated Von Maur runs about 25 upscale department stores in 10 midwestern states, offering its customers amenities such as an interest-free credit card, free gift wrapping, and free shipping within the US. The stores range in size from 42,000 to 203,000 sq. ft. and offer clothing from brands such as Burberry, Kenneth Cole, and Tommy Bahama. Distinguishing itself from the rest of the pack, the Von Maur chain has avoided advertising and big blowout sales; it even closes up shop on traditional retailer high-dollar days such as the Fourth of July. The von Maur family opened its first store in Davenport, Iowa, in 1872.

Established in 1928, Consolidated Supply Co. started as a consolidation of four different supply houses operating in Portland, Oregon and employing E. A. Neupert as the General Manager. During the depression years, ownership of the Company was purchased by the Neupert family and the company remains a family operation to this day. Through dedication and hard work the Neupert family carried a small, northwest business to span four states including Hawaii. Today, the corporate headquarters, as well as the company’s largest branch, are located in Tigard, Oregon. The Tigard location includes a stunning showroom, The Fixture Gallery, featuring the American Standard, Porcher and Jado lines, as well as other fine manufacturers of quality kitchen and bath products and accessories. Our other Fixture Gallery locations include Bend, Eugene, Salem, Burlington, Kennewick, Pacific, Seattle, Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Sandpoint.Many of the organization’s functions are centralized in Tigard including Accounting, Credit Management, Human Resources, Information Systems, Marketing, Purchasing and Sales. Consolidated Supply Co. has come a long way and a lot has changed in 80 years. Our product line has grown from a few dozen helpful items to thousands of plumbing, waterworks and heating products supplied to contractors, homeowners, utilities and municipalities all over the Northwest and the Pacific. But just like the first day our doors were opened, Consolidated Supply Co. and its subsidiaries still strive to meet the ever growing needs of our customers by providing outstanding customer service along with superior products. We look forward to serving our customers well into the 21st century.

YGM Trading Limited company has filled its products portfolio by purchasing many of its brands from foreign companies. YGM spun off Hang Ten as its own publicly traded company in 2003. YGM Trading company offers a frequent buyer's program and its own Visa card. Don't be surprised to find YGM Trading in your closet. The apparel manufacturer, distributor, and retailer offers fashions under the brand names Michel Rene (private label), Aquascutum, Guy Laroche Femme (owns and licenses), Charles Jourdan, Ashworth (golf), and (20% owned) Hang Ten. Its 800 shops are located mostly in China, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US. It boasts a presence in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

William Sinclair Holdings took hold in UK gardens more than 120 years ago when it was founded by William Sinclair. The company makes gardening products for commercial and home use, exfoliated vermiculite, and expanded perlite (products that are used in different forms of insulation). Brands include J Arthur Bower's, Silvaperl, and New Horizon. The firm exports horticultural products to more than 50 countries. Over the last few years, the company has pared down its operations and is focusing on innovating recycled green products for both industrial and horticultural clients. Its products are sold through wholesalers, catalogs, and the company's Web site.

Shoprite stores offer fresh produce from local growers and regional specialty items, Waitrose-brand fresh foods, and Iceland brand frozen goods. Shoprite Group is a subsidiary of Nicholson Investments and is run by Deryck Nicholson.Shoprite wants consumers to exercise their right to shop. Shoprite Group owns and operates about 10 Shoprite supermarkets, a Mercedes-Benz dealership, two shopping centers, and a wine warehouse on the tiny Isle of Man. To stay afloat in the competitive UK grocery market, Shoprite Group has adopted an everyday-low-pricing strategy popularized by US retail giant Wal-Mart Stores, which bought Britain's ASDA Group in 2000.

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