Maxeda, formerly Vendex KBB, is owned by investment firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Cinven, Permira, and AlpInvest Partners. If Hans Brinker went shopping at Maxeda's stores today, he'd find a lot more than silver skates. The Dutch retail group operates stores in a dozen countries across Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The retailer is selling off its department store and specialty apparel chains to focus on its home improvement stores, which trade under the Brico, Formido, and Praxis banners. Its shrinking stable of retail operations include lingerie chain Hunkemeller and M&S Mode. In 2010 it sold its De Bijenkorf and Vroon & Dressman department store chains.

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.

Founded in 1945, the company is owned by the family of president Steve Cook. Northeastern Supply keeps its little corner of the world cozy. Through about 30 locations in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, the company distributes air conditioning, heating, plumbing, ventilation, and water system equipment along with fixtures and hardware to contractors and other building professionals. Major suppliers include American Standard, Bradford White, Delta, Elkay, Jacuzzi, and Moen. Northeastern also offers online credit applications, electronic funds transfers, and e-mail invoicing to its customers.

At Carphone Warehouse, "upward mobility" means calling someone while driving uphill. The firm has more than 2,400 stores in Europe that sell mobile phones, contracts, and services. It operates stores under the Carphone Warehouse banner in the UK and The Phone House in eight other European markets, including France and Spain. Carphone Warehouse also sells Internet access to homes in England and Europe and has begun selling laptops, touch phones, and other mobile devices at a new, larger store format called Wireless World. Founded in 1989 by CEO Charles Dunstone and former director David Ross, Carphone Warehouse sold 50% of its retail business in 2008 and spun off its TalkTalk telecom unit in 2010.

Established in 1932, Beard Hardwoods is one of America's leading hardwood lumber manufactures. The home office is in Greensboro, North Carolina. For over 75 years, Beard Hardwoods has devoted itself to delivering the highest possible quality and personal service. This long tradition of quality and service continues into this new era, whether customers are next door, or on the other side of the globe. Beard Hardwoods dry kilns, sales office, and export facility is located on U.S. Highways I-85 and I-40 and is within a few hours delivery time to the ports of Wilmington, NC, Norfolk, VA, and Charleston, SC.

Spahn & Rose Lumber Co. is a retail lumber company with about 25 locations throughout Iowa and, to a lesser extent, in Illinois and Wisconsin. The company, which was organized in 1904, produces roof and floor truss systems and sells a variety of building supply products from such suppliers as Andersen (windows), Georgia-Pacific (lumber), CertainTeed (building materials), DuPont (plastics and flooring), MidContinent Cabinetry, (cabinets), Stanley Black & Decker (hand tools) and more. Spahn & Rose is promoting a range of green products, including recycled goods, solar reflective windows, and arsenic-free lumber.

Fresh Encounter was founded in 1995 by Mike Needler when he purchased CWC Companies from his father-in-law. Today, the business is owned and run by the Needler family.They aren't offering encounters of the third kind, but they can help you out with a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. Fresh Encounter operates 30-plus supermarkets in Ohio and eastern Indiana under the Community Markets, Fulmer Community Markets, Great Scot Community Markets, and Sack 'N Save Supermarket banners. To better compete with larger national chains, such as Kroger and Wal-Mart, Fresh Encounter's stores emphasize personalized service, 10 for $10 items specials, fresh-cut meat, community involvement, and private label products.

Trying to catalog all the things this superstore carries could fry your brain. Fry's Electronics is a leading big-box retailer of computers, consumer electronics, and appliances with some 35 stores in about 10 states. The retail chain's extensive inventory includes computer software and components, industry magazines, movies and music, refrigerators, washers and dryers, small appliances, stereo equipment, and televisions. Each store also typically stocks a variety of snacks and other impulse items. The technogeek's dream store began in 1985 as the brainchild of CEO John Fry (with brothers Randy and Dave) and VP Kathy Kolder. The Fry brothers, who got their start at Fry's Food Stores, still own Fry's Electronics company.

Allied Building Products Corp. was founded in 1950 as a family-operated roofing and custom sheet metal fabrication business. Allied Building Products counts home builders and contractors as part of its circle of friends. Serving the commercial and residential construction markets, the company distributes exterior and interior building materials, including roofing, siding, drywall, and acoustical tile, from major manufacturers. Allied also markets products under its own Cutting Edge and Tri-Bilt brands. The firm operates about 180 branches in 30 states, and it maintains a fleet of more than 2,700 vehicles, including cranes and delivery trucks. Allied is a subsidiary of Oldcastle (itself a subsidiary of CRH).

Beales is one of the UK's leading Department Store chains, with 14 locations nationwide. And now you can buy your favourite brands from us 24 hours a day 365 days a year, online. We have a range of products including; gift ideas, electricals, womens fashions and a wide range of cosmetics and fragrances by famous fashion houses. So if you are looking for gift ideas or something to spoil yourself, you're always welcome at Beales.

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