In 1915, M.B. Skaggs, an ambitious young man in the small Idaho town of American Falls, purchased a tiny grocery store from his father. M.B.'s business strategy, to give his customers value and to expand by keeping a narrow profit margin, proved spectaculary successful. By 1926 he was opening 428 Skaggs stores in 10 states. M.B. almost doubled the size of his business that year when he merged his company with 322 Safeway (formerly Selig) stores. Two years later M.B. listed Safeway on the New York Stock Exchange. M.B. did not let the difficulties of the Great Depression dilute his pioneering focus on value for customers. In the 1930s Safeway introduced produce pricing by the pound, opening dating on perishables to assure freshness, nutritional labeling, even some of the first parking lots.

Harrods' motto, "Omnia Omnibus Ubique," loosely translates into "You want it, we got it." The landmark Knightsbridge department store is one of London's biggest attractions, with seven floors and more than 300 departments, including the famous Food Hall, about 20 restaurants and bars, a beauty salon, and a bank. On an average day, 35,000 shoppers browse the store. The crowd can swell to 350,000 during sales. Harrods has leveraged its name worldwide, opening signature shops in airports and department stores in Asia and Europe and selling online. Founded in 1849 and formerly owned by Egyptian-born billionaire Mohamed al-Fayed, Harrods was sold in 2010 to Qatar Holdings for about �1.5 billion ($2.3 billion).

Aaron & Company was founded in the early 1900s by plumber Isadore Aaron. His grandson Jeffrey retired from in 2002, leaving the firm without an Aaron for the first time. Aaron & Company knows a thing or two about staying cool. Catering primarily to contractors in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, the wholesaler offers plumbing and HVAC supplies through half a dozen locations in the Garden State. Three of these locations house Aaron Kitchen & Bath Design Galleries, which feature complete kitchen and bathroom set-ups to help customers with building and remodeling plans. Aaron & Company is served by a single 120,000-sq.-ft. distribution center.

Borrowing its moniker from the Latin for "you," Vobis lays claim to one of Europe's largest chains of computer retail stores. The company makes computers under its own brand and distributes technology products from such companies as Apple, Intel, and Sony. Under pressure from other retailers, the company's former parent, European retailing giant METRO AG, tried unsuccessfully to sell Vobis several times before CEO Jurgen Rakow and board member Jurgen Bochmann agreed to take a 25% stake in the company. METRO transferred the remaining 75% of its interest in Vobis to Divaco, an investment firm controlled by METRO.

TAKKT AG wants office decor to have some tact. The mail-order company sells office furniture, equipment, fixtures, and supplies. TAKKT also peddles retail display cases and warehouse equipment, such as shelving, carts, containers, ladders, and conveyor belts. The company primarily operates through three divisions: KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA, K + K America, and TopdeQ. (K + K America owns C&H Distributors, Hubert, and National Business Furniture). TAKKT companies sell more than 130,000 products via online or printed catalogs. The company distributes more than 70 million catalogs in North America, Europe, and Asia each year. Franz Haniel & Cie. owns more than 70% of the company.

21st Century Technology provides claims handling and fulfillment for the replacement of stolen car audio equipment, as well as the replacement and repair of lost or damaged cameras and computers. The company also supplies and installs mobile phones, security, telematics, and sat-nav systems for fleets. In other business, it distributes third-party auto entertainment systems and security and interface cables. In 2009 the company acquired the remaining 25% it didn't already own in 21st Century Crime Prevention Services, a provider of CCTV services for buses, and made it a wholly owned subsidiary. It then changed its name from TG21.

A.S. Watson (ASW) is the retail and manufacturing arm of the Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa. Like its powerful parent company, ASW is a giant in its industries, with operations in some 35 markets throughout Asia and Europe. Its businesses include supermarkets (Park'N Shop), health and beauty stores (Watson's, Drogas, Trekpleister, and Kruidvat), Fortress consumer electronics and appliance stores in Hong Kong and Macau, soft drink and water bottling operations, and wine retailing (Watson's Wine Cellar). In all, ASW operates 20-plus retail chains with more than 8,700 stores including the UK's Superdrug and Savers chains. ASW also has a joint venture with German discount health and beauty chain Rossmann.

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.

Kum & Go brings convenience to America's heartland. The company's 460-plus stores in about a dozen states throughout the Midwest offer beer, cigarettes, fountain drinks, coffee, snacks, and other items craved by late night shoppers and daytime commuters alike. Kum & Go also sells gasoline at most of its convenience stores and even offers an ethanol blend (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) at several locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. Corporate customers can take advantage of Kum & Go's fleet fueling service. Kum & Go, founded in 1959 by W.A. Krause & Tony Gentle, is the nation's third-largest private owner and operator of convenience stores. The company gives 10% of annual profits to charity.

C.K. Tang Limited is a story of how the vision, fortitude and integrity of a young Chinese immigrant helped create one of Singapore’s premier retail companies today.From its humble beginnings, C.K.Tang Limited has established itself as a prominent leader in Singapore’s vibrant retail scene. Its continued existence can be attributed to its ability to adapt well to changing consumer trends by recognising the need for focused marketing and diversity in business.

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