DirectGroup Bertelsmann GmbH runs book clubs especially popular in Europe and Asia under such brands as Der Club in Germany, France Loisirs in France, and Circulo de Lectores in Spain. Club members can access its products through mail-order catalogs, the Internet, or one of 800 retail stores worldwide. DirectGroup Bertelsmann boasts 35 million members worldwide and operates in more than 20 countries. The company is a division of German media firm Bertelsmann AG, which sold its faltering American book club operations in 2008 to focus on Europe and Asia.

West Marine, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of boating supplies primarily in the United States. It operates in three segments: Stores, Port Supply, and Direct Sales. The Stores segment operates stores that principally offer hardware and other supplies needed for day-to-day boat maintenance and repairs. The Port Supply segment distributes marine supplies to domestic and international wholesale customers, including businesses involved in boat sales, boat building, boat commissioning and repair, yacht chartering, marina operations, and other boating-related activities. This segment also sells its products to government and industrial customers who use the company’s products for boating and non-boating purposes. The Direct Sales segment operates as an e-commerce website and virtual call center, which provides customers with access to a range of products, product advisor tips and technical information, and product videos and customer-submitted product reviews. As of January 2, 2010, West Marine offered its products through 335 company-operated stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, as well as through 2 franchised stores in Turkey. West Marine company also sells its products through its call center channel and on the Internet. West Marine was founded in 1976 and is based in Watsonville, California.

Cargiant was founded in 1977, helping to pioneer the car supermarket concept in the UK. The London-based dealer stocks as many as 5,000 cars, including models from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, MG, and Vauxhall. The dealer offers financing through Blackhorse Plc, a unit of Llyods Banking Group(formerly Lloyds TSB), and other financial institutions. A PCP Program is provided for those who prefer 24- to 36-month leases.People looking for really big deals on wheels sometimes turn to Cargiant. The company, formerly The Great Trade Centre Ltd., is a supermarket for used automobiles.

The Paradies Shops operates more than 500 shops in airports, hotels, and aquariums throughout the US and Canada. It serves more than a half billion passengers annually, with retail sites that include bookstores, gift shops, jewelry stores, ladies accessory shops, newsstands, sunglass stores, and western stores, among others. Paradies Shops is also the exclusive licensee of Brooks Brothers, CNBC, PGA Tour, and the New York Times. The firm operates several hotel properties and the retail program for the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The company was founded by the Paradies family in 1960. In mid-2010 it sold a majority stake to Freeman Spogli & Co.

The Millcraft Group was founded in 1920 by Harold Keil, whose family still owns the company. The Mlakar family (including chairman Katherin and president and CEO Chuck) is related to Keil by marriage. The Millcraft Group pushes more than just envelopes. The company distributes fine commercial paper and envelopes through its operations in Ohio, Michigan, and about five other states. It also sells paper and graphic supplies through about five Millcraft Paper stores in Ohio and Michigan. The company's Deltacraft Converting business cuts paper to customer specifications while its Millcraft Express Envelope unit produces custom envelopes in a range of shapes and sizes.

John Huarte, Founder and CEO, graduated from the University of Notre Dame and was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1964 as quarterback of the Fighting Irish. After spending several years as a professional football player, John and his wife, Eileen, opened a small tile store in San Diego in 1977. Arizona Tile, L.L.C. has since grown to include more than twenty-five locations in seven western states, with products distributed to both residential and commercial customers. Since 1977, Arizona Tile has searched the globe in pursuit of truly extraordinary surfaces. Through relationships with select quarries and suppliers, Arizona Tile proudly offers a vast selection of granite, travertine, onyx, slate, marble and limestone, including stunning tile and stone you won't find anywhere else on Earth. Our treasure of surfaces also includes beautiful and unique medallions, porcelain, tile and other design creations and applications that bring drama and enchantment to any space. To experience, first-hand, surfaces that are truly extraordinary, you need only travel as far as one of our engaging showrooms. There you will personally discover stunning surfaces you won't find anywhere else on Earth, and make their unparalleled magic a part of your world.

Lakeshore Equipment Company aims to make learning fun. Through about 50 Lakeshore Learning Stores in two dozen states, Lakeshore Equipment company sells educational toys and classroom tools, including art supplies, games, learning kits, textbooks, and teacher resource packets. It also offers products that address multicultural learning environments and special needs children, as well as in-store teacher workshops. In addition to its store network, Lakeshore Equipment markets learning materials via its two mail-order catalogs and website. Ethelyn Kaplan founded Lakeshore Equipment company in 1954. Today it is run by her son Michael (chairman) and grandsons Bo (president and CEO) and Josh (VP of Merchandising).

Underwood Jewelers Corporation company was founded as a diamond and watch store in 1928 by namesake Herbert F. Underwood. Bromberg and Co. purchased Underwood in 1974, and although Bromberg family members remain involved in Underwood, the two companies operate seperately. Because there can't be enough bling in Florida, there's regional player Underwood Jewelers. The high-end jewelry chain operates three stores in the Jacksonville area of Florida which offer the usual mix of jewelry, watches, and collectables, as well as silver serving platters and china dinnerware. Additionally, Underwood offers a bridal registry, and sells collections of diamond, gold, and silver earrings, and baby gifts online.

The Inchcape lighthouse lies 11 miles out to sea off the East coast of Arbroath, Scotland. It stands on one of the most treacherous submerged reefs in the northern hemisphere and is one of the seven wonders of the Industrial Age.Thanks to the pioneering spirit of a young engineer, Robert Stevenson, who dreamed of building the impossible, a lighthouse was planned on the ‘Rock’ that had claimed over 100 lives.Despite many obstacles, Stevenson never lost faith in his plan, and by February 1811, the lighthouse on Inchcape Rock was finished. It is the oldest, sea-standing lighthouse in the world and today, still saves lives.100 years later, inspired by this pioneering spirit, Inchcape’s founder James Lyle MacKay, when awarded a title for his services to industry became the first ‘Baron Inchcape of Strathnaver’ and so named the company that he led.

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company focuses on the buy here/pay here segment of the used car market. It primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for its customers. The company purchases vehicles through wholesalers, new car dealers, individuals, and from auctions. It operates approximately 99 automotive dealerships in 8 states. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

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