Outlet mall capital Reading, Pennsylvania, has conceived more than bargain shopping. It's given us Boscov's Department Store, which operates about 40 stores (down from 50 in 2007) that anchor malls mainly in Pennsylvania and four other mid-Atlantic states. The stores sell men's, women's, and children's apparel, shoes, and accessories, as well as jewelry, cosmetics, housewares, appliances, and sporting goods. It also operates an online store. After expanding too rapidly amid a worsening outlook for department stores, Boscov's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008 and was later purchased by a group led by its chairman and CEO Albert Boscov. Boscov's was founded by Solomon Boscov in 1911.

Grafton Merchanting GB believes in building a solid store base for its customers. A subsidiary of the Grafton Group, the company is the umbrella organization of its parent's building supply retail operations in the UK, which include Buildbase, Jackson Building Centres, Hirebase, Civils & Lintels, Plumbase, PDM, L&G Forest Products, Hendricks Lovell, Acorn Insulation, and Keelsupply. Its network consists of more than 400 locations, which sell lumber, hardware, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, gardening items, and other building materials, as well as offer hiring services. Grafton Merchanting also sells online. Formed in 2008, the firm brought together Buildbase with Grafton Group's other retail banners.

Grupo Salinas is the group of companies owned by Ricardo B. Salinas, one of Mexico's wealthiest citizens. While not a holding company, Grupo Salinas has interests in financial services, media, retail, and telecommunications -- a few of which are listed on Mexico's stock exchange. It has controlling interests in the nation's #2 network, TV Azteca, cellular service provider Iusacell, and electronics retaler Grupo Elektra. Motorcycle manufacturer Italika launched production in 2005 and is Mexico's top seller, producing 300,000 bikes per year. Grupo Elektra's financial service firms, Banco Azteca, Seguros Azteca, and Afore Azteca, serve low-income families in Mexico, Brazil, and Peru.

American Sale is a family-run casual furniture retailer. The company sells outdoor furniture, pool and spa products, hot tubs, home tanning systems, barbecue grills, tableware, gaming tables, and seasonal items. American Sale Corporation has about a half dozen stores throughout the Chicago suburbs and in Indiana, including an outlet store at the company's headquarters and distribution center. If customers cannot make it into a store, they can buy products on from the company's Web site. Owner and CEO Robert Jones selects many of the items the store adds to its inventory.

Waldbaum operates about 65 supermarkets in New York City, on Long Island, and in Westchester County, New York. To serve the city that never sleeps, many Waldbaum stores are open around the clock and most have in-store bakeries; about half have pharmacies. The 100-year-old chain is owned by ailing A&P, which filed for bankruptcy in 2010 capping years of struggle following the purchase of its regional rival Pathmark Stores in 2007. As a result of the Pathmark purchase, four Waldbaum supermarkets on Long Island and Staten Island were sold to rivals King Kullen and Stop & Shop in 2008 to satisfy Federal Trade Commission competition requirements.

Ultimate Acquisition Partners has the ultimate gift: an electronics store. Ultimate Acquisition Partners, L.P. company owns and runs Ultimate Electronics, a retailer of home theater, TV, audio and video products with more than 40 locations in 15 states. Ultimate Electronics stocks some 130 major brands and offers such in-store services as computer repair and TV and Internet service provider sign-up. The retailer also peddles products online. The Ultimate Electronics chain was operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection when CEO Mark Wattles formed Ultimate Acquisition Partners to buy the business in 2005. His Wattles Capital Management investment firm controls Ultimate Acquisition Partners, L.P. company.

Art Van Furniture Michigan's #1 furniture seller offers medium-priced home furniture and bedding in some 35 Michigan stores. The chain has undergone a renovation, adding more upscale furniture (it sells Sealy, Simmons, and Broyhill brands) and perks such as children's play areas. The company is known for its aggressive sales and service. (Employees have been known to greet patrons carside with umbrellas on rainy days.) Chairman Art Van Elslander, who has 10 children (some active in the business), founded the firm with an East Detroit store in 1959. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009.

Raymond Building Supply Corporation was founded in 1957. Raymond Building Supply operates several commercial lumber and building materials stores in southwest Florida. Products include pressure-treated lumber, millwork, plywood, and trusses. Raymond Building Supply Corporation also has Andersen windows, doors, hardware, cabinetry, and appliances in stock and on request for residential, commercial, and institutional needs. Raymond Building Supply sells to home builders and contractors throughout southwest Florida.

CompUSA has been rebooted after a major crash in 2008. The company operates about 35 stores, mostly in Florida, but also in several other states and Puerto Rico, as well as an e-commerce site. It sells computers and peripherals, TVs, gaming consoles, cameras, and other electronics and accessories. CompUSA is a division of Systemax, a multi-channel marketer of consumer electronics and digital media technology. In 2008 Systemax acquired CompUSA's brand, website, and retail outlets. Originally a pioneer in big-box computer sales, CompUSA is reformatting itself as a next-generation retailer.

Multiyork Furniture manufactures and markets custom-made contemporary home furnishings, including sofas (leather, upholstered, and sleepers), chairs, cabinets, and other living and dining room furniture pieces. Its mid- to upper-level products are sold through more than 60 stores across Great Britain. Multiyork Furniture has moved to the front of the UK home furnishings industry since its founding in 1978. Initially operating one store and workshop, the company was acquired by Wade Furniture Group in 1995, and CEO Peter Mallinson, former merchandise manager at Selfridges, was tapped to turn around the struggling firm.

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