Kwik Trip operates about 350 Kwik Trip and Kwik Star convenience stores throughout Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The company also runs several Hearty Platter restaurants, about 40 Tobacco Outlet Plus (TOP) cigar stores, and car washes at some Kwik Trip store locations. All Kwik Trip stores built since 1990 are owned by Convenience Store Investments, a separate company, which leases the land and stores to Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip, which opened its first store in 1965 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is owned by the family of CEO Don Zietlow.

In the UK and Ireland, some of the best known and respected companies are part of Saint-Gobain. Together these businesses offer an unrivalled range of products and innovative material solutions that give architects and designers the ability to respond to the latest trends, whilst meeting the most exacting performance and legislative standards. Saint-Gobain’s businesses form a robust, integrated supply chain partner that has the strength and flexibility to support the most diverse range of customer requirements. This adds up to a unique capability that can support everything from the biggest landmark projects, such as the Emirates Stadium and Fort Dunlop, to ongoing repair and maintenance programmes. As well as fast, efficient access to a comprehensive range of products, we can provide specialist technical expertise and resources. From product specification and design, to fabrication and delivery to site or production line, we are committed to working closely with our customers to help them get the most out of our products and services.

UP&S was founded in 1953 by Taylor Ramsey and is now owned by vice-chair Patti Ramsey, his daughter-in-law. United Pipe & Supply (UP&S) is trying to unite plumbing and HVAC specialists all over the Pacific Northwest. Operating through about 35 locations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, the company distributes equipment and supplies for irrigation, pumping and drilling, and heating and air conditioning. UP&S also provides specification and design consulting for architects, contractors, and designers.

rawshaw Group was formed in April 2008 by the reverse takeover of Felix Group, a former UK business that specialized in sales programs and promotions. In May 2009 company finance director Andrew Richardson resigned and Lynda Sherratt, from Felix Group, replaced him.Crawshaw Group (formerly Felix Group) operates almost 15 retail outlets in the UK that mainly focus on selling meat. Doing business as Crawshaw Butchers, the company also owns two processing and distribution centers in Grimsby and Rotherham. Its retail outlets are spread throughout Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Humberside

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.

Grace's offers catering and gift baskets. Due to popular demand the company has opened a second location, on Long Island, and a takeout shop in La Guardia Airport. The market was opened in 1985 by Joseph and Grace Balducci Doria (whose parents founded Balducci's) and is now run by their children.Grace quite easily makes the final cut in the "Mother of the Year" contest. Grace's Marketplace offers gourmet foods through its storefront in the Upper East End of New York City and also operates Italian eatery, Grace's Trattoria, on the same city block. In addition to its deli items, fresh-baked goods and meats.

Precision Data Products likes to get it right. Precision company sells electronics such as computers, printers, audiovisual equipment, and accessories directly to customers via telephone and its Web site. Through Precision Data Products' online catalog, customers can view purchasing history, real-time inventory and prices, and product descriptions and white pages on more than 250,000 products. Corporate customers can request custom catalogs with negotiated or contract prices. Precision company carries brands from manufacturers such as Apple, D-Link, Exabyte, Hewlett-Packard, and Symbol Technologies. It also offers on-site or ship-in repair services for computers and printers.

Earth Fare stores offer about 26,000 natural and organic products, house cafes and juice bars, sell vitamins and herbs, and offer deli service and cooking classes. Earth Fare was founded in 1975 by Roger Derrough who owns it along with other investors.Shoppers looking to fill their carts with products containing high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial flavors, and synthetic growth hormones need not shop at Earth Fare. The regional organic and natural foods supermarket chain operates some 20 stores in Alabama, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee. Its stores are smaller than those of its conventional supermarket competitors and national natural foods chains like Whole Foods Market.

Stylish eyewear is de rigueur for De Rigo. The firm is the #3 eyewear company worldwide, behind Luxottica and Safilo. It makes sunglasses and eyeglasses under its own brand names (Sting, Police, Lozza) and licensed labels that include Etro, Fendi, Fila, Givenchy, and Pirelli. It sells through about 200 General Optica outlets in Spain and Portugal. In 2009 De Rigo sold a controlling stake in its Dollond & Aitchison (D&A) chain in the UK to Alliance Boots, which runs the business under the Boots Opticians banner. (De Rigo made almost half of its revenues from retail sales in the UK through D&A stores.) De Rigo also markets glasses in dozens of other countries (mostly in Europe, Asia, and South America).

What's next in style is what concerns NEXT. NEXT plc sells moderately priced clothing for men, women, and children; housewares; and furniture through about 515 stores (including some 25 stand-alone NEXT Home stores) in the UK and Ireland. It also franchises 180-plus stores elsewhere in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Turkey. NEXT targets customers in their 20s and 30s who are looking for stylish but affordable clothes to take them through the next fashion cycle. Sales comes from its retail stores, its NEXT Directory catalog and website, and Ventura, a division which provides call center and customer support services

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