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.

Founded by William Pike in 1958, Pike Nurseries, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2007, blaming the worst drought in Georgia in a century, and put itself up for sale. After closing some of its nurseries, Pike's retail operation was sold to California-based Armstrong Garden Centers (AGC) for $5.2 million in a bankruptcy auction in March 2008. Pike's wholesale businesses were also sold off. Pike Nurseries helps keep thumbs green across Atlanta. Pike Nurseries, Inc. runs about 15 Pike Family Nurseries in the Atlanta area and a single nursery in North Carolina (down from about 20 locations in 2007). Stores sell plants, chemicals, tools, shrubs, trees, and garden furniture.

Co-op is Britain's largest funeral service provider. Established in 1863, Co-operative Group boasts 5.5 million members.Co-operative Group cares for its customers from the cradle to the grave. The hodgepodge of businesses run by the world's largest cooperative society includes farming, food and drug stores, travel agencies, banking, insurance, financial and legal services, and funerals. It's the UK's largest commercial farming operation and its fifth-largest grocery retailer with some 3,000 food stores. Overall, it operates about 4,800 outlets on high streets throughout the UK. Financial services include insurance, investment and retirement planning, as well as traditional and online banking.

B&G was founded in 1944 by Charlie Bartle and Cecil Gibson. Bartle & Gibson (B&G) sounds like a classical guitar duet; though it's not, it does bring a certain harmony to the lives of its customers. Catering primarily to residential contractors, B&G is a leading independent wholesaler of plumbing, heating, electrical, and irrigation supplies in Canada. Bartle & Gibson Co. Ltd. operates about 30 branches in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories, offering such major brands as 3M, Bemis, Honeywell, Klein Tools, and OSRAM SYLVANIA. It is served by two distribution centers.

Bossini wants to be the boss of Asian apparel retailers. Bossini International Holdings Limited company manages a brand of casual fashion wear and accessories in the Asia/Pacific region; its core markets are Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. Products include clothing for women, men, and kids. Bossini operates more than 1,000 directly owned and franchised outlets in some 30 countries. It opened its first exclusive store in Hong Kong in 1987. Bossini International Holdings Limited company is now one of the largest retail fashion chains in the region. Through business partners, Bossini has exported franchised outlets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central America.

Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM) is Canada's only nationwide drugstore chain, with locations in every province and two territories. With more than 1,200 drugstores, it's #2 north of the border, behind Katz Group. Most of the company's stores fly the Shoppers Drug Mart banner (Pharmaprix in Quebec). It also operates about 65 Shoppers Home Health Care stores. SDM ranks as a leading Canadian retailer of beauty products, with more than 225 in-store beauty boutiques that sell prestige cosmetics, fragrances, and skin care products. It is expanding in Quebec by opening new stores and acquiring independent pharmacies. The firm was founded in 1962 by Murray Koffler, a Toronto druggist.

Iberia Tiles carries on the Spanish tile-making traditions of Barcelona's artisans. Iberia Tiles Corporation distributes ceramic tile, marble, granite, and other natural stone and wood products primarily in the southeastern US. It operates four showrooms in Florida (in Miami, Coral Gables, and Pompano Beach) and another in Norcross, Georgia. Iberia Tiles also has an export division and a wholesale distribution unit that serves retailers such as Sears and Lowe's. Chairman Rosa Sugranes brought Iberia Tiles Corporation to the US in 1979 as an extension of Ceramica Sugranes, her father's tile and marble business in Spain.

Dave's Supermarkets was founded in the late 1920's when Alex Saltzman, the first of four generations of grocers, hung up reins in his horse drawn produce wagon and opened the first corner family store at 33rd and Payne Avenue in Cleveland. The store was named for Alex's son, Dave who succeeded his father in the business. Following in Dave's footstep was his son Burton who recognized that the store needed to address the growing needs of their customers. Over the years, Burton along with his two sons, Dan and Steve Saltzman, have expanded upon the company's original vision and continue to grow the chain. Dave's is the only retail food store to invest significantly in Cleveland in recent years. New and exciting developments at Dave's included the acquisition of four new locations in 2007 as well as the launch of Dave's Mercado at the Ridge Road location. The Mercado provides the largest selection of hispanic foods in the Cleveland area. The Saltzman Family is proud to have stores serving 13 local neighborhoods.

Pomp's Tire was established in 1939. The plan back then was the same as it is today, which is reflected in our mission statement. "At Pomp's tire Service, we pledge to cultivate satisfied employees who, in partnership with our suppliers, provide quality service and products in a professional manner for our customers." Since 1939, our industry has become very complex, especially recently. Just to keep up with all the new technology, new products and new governmental requirements, Pomp's has provided continual education and training to our employees in order to give our customers the correct advice for their tire and service needs.Our steady growth in seven Midwestern states lets our customers experience good hometown service. We can supply you with every tire need out there, except airplane and motorcycle tires. Over two hundred service trucks from over seventy locations, provide 24-hour service to our commercial fleet customers. Our retail stores carry the most requested brands of tires and equipment to give you confidence in your tire purchases. Our commercial truck tire division is dedicated to keeping your fleet moving. We thank you for your past support and want you to know that we'll be here for you tomorrow. We know tires, you should know Pomp's, because that's all we do.

T J Morris offers its customers top brands-- of nearly everything-- at bottom-basement prices to value-seeking shoppers in England and Wales. The company operates more than 140 Home Bargains and "halfpriceorless.com" outlets that sell discounted personal care and household products, such as health and beauty items, toys, and designer products. The chain has announced aggressive expansion plans to grow to and manage some 500 stores within the next five years. Managing Director Tom Morris founded the company more than three decades ago.

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