Fnac is a leading seller of books and music with about 145 stores (some 80 in France) in half a dozen European countries and Brazil. In addition to music, Fnac stores sell books, videos, and other electronic media. The company also runs the French mail-order operation fnac.com and digital download platform Fnacmusic. Fnac's Éveil & Jeux subsidiary operates about 40 toy and game stores for children, and sells toys by catalog and online. While more than two-thirds of Fnac's sales are made in France, the retailer is growing rapidly outside of its home country. It is exiting the Greek market.

Marimon Business Systems was founded in 1978 by mother and son owners, president Yolanda Marimon and VP Anthony Marimon. Marimon Business Systems makes managing documents its business. With direct purchasing and service relationships with office equipment manufacturers and software developers, including HP and Sharp, the company supplies corporate clients with such products as printers, copiers, fax machines, and electronic storage and retrieval systems. Marimon's PrintCheck is a managed print service that helps with usage assessment, product selection, onsite and telephone help desk support, and real-time monitoring of supply needs. Customers have included Convergint Technologies and Capital One Bank.

CEO Sharon DiMinico founded Learning Express, Inc. in 1987. For kids (and parents) who want to get on board the educational entertainment train, Learning Express is the first stop. The specialty toy store franchiser has more than 100 locations in about 25 states. It sell toys for every age group with a focus on educational items. Major brands include Alex Toys (craft kits), Calico Critters (animal figures), Groovy Girls (dolls and accessories), Rokenbok (remote controlled vehicles and construction sets), and Thomas the Tank (wooden train sets and construction toys). It offerings are designed to spark creativity, teach diversity, and encourage development.

Founded in 1988, Carpetright is led by its chairman and chief executive Lord Harris of Peckham, who owns about 25% of the group. Carpetright hasn't been wrong about flooring. Founded in 1988, Carpetright is the leading European flooring retailer with 500-plus stores operating under the Carpetright banner throughout the UK and Ireland. Carpetright company also boasts more than 120 stores located in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland. In addition to carpets, it sells area rugs and vinyl and wood-like laminate flooring. Carpetright also operates some 60 concessions in department stores.

Lookers sells the kind of cars that get noticed. The company operates through about 100 franchised auto dealerships in the UK. It also does business as the Charles Hurst Group in England and Northern Ireland and as Taggarts in Scotland. The company sells new and used vehicles from such brands as Aston Martin, Bentley, Citroën, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Lookers also sells motorcycles from two dealerships. In addition to its franchise operations, the company's business lines include aftermarket auto parts (FPS Distribution) and used car supermarkets (Bristol Trade Centre and Ian Shipton Cars). Lookers was founded in 1908. Millionaire car trader Tony Bramall holds about a 20% stake in the company.

The Contender Entertainment Group (CEG), which was acquired by Entertainment One in mid-2007, is a home video distributor and book publisher focusing on children's entertainment and television classics. The company is quite the contender, too. It was established in 1994, began trading in 1995, and a decade later is the largest independent distributor of DVDs and videos in the country. Products include special interest films such as cult classics, animated children's features, fitness videos, Asian films, and classic television series. All videos and DVDs are distributed within the UK.

The Booksource Inc. company sells new hardcover and paperback books to school libraries and classrooms across the US. It's part of a growing trend to place small libraries in classrooms to encourage kids to pick up a book and read. Booksource also owns San Val, which operates two binderies that turn paperback books into hardcovers for use in schools and public libraries. Its Peaceable Kingdom Press makes cards, calendars, posters, and other paper products for kids that are sold in book and toy stores worldwide. The firm is owned by founder Sandy Jaffe and his children Neil (president), Gary (COO), and Donna (head of Peaceable Kingdom).

Hannoush Jewelers is a company whose philosophy has always been one of family ownership and personal attention to detail. Under the careful guidance of the Hannoush Family, the first Hannoush Jewelers retail store opened its doors in Massachusetts in 1980. Today the Hannoush Jewelers network includes: More than 70 company owned and franchised locations throughout the United States. Over 600 professionally trained employees with skills ranging from fine jewelry design, casting and settings to expert purchase advise and retail management. A commitment to conduct business with integrity and respect for the customer. The Hannoush Philosophy Trust. The fine reputation that Hannoush Jewelers has built over the years for low cost and high quality begins at the source. Our own master craftspeople design and cast our settings, and create almost all of the diamond and gemstone jewelry that is offered in our stores, The design and manufacturing of our jewelry takes place at Hannoush Jewelers facilities in New England and Canada.

Hong Kong-based Chow Sang Sang has its eye on China and the growing luxury market there. The company operates about 155 Chow Sang Sang jewelery stores in some 60 cities across mainland China, with another 50-plus stores in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The fast-growing jeweler aims to open another 50 shops in the near future. The company makes and sells necklaces, bracelets, watches, diamonds, and other shiny luxuries and trendy baubles. Chow Sang Sang has production facilities in China and in Hong Kong. It also wholesales precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) and brokers stocks and commodities. Chairman Kwen Lim Chow and general manager Wing Shing Chow together own about a third of the company.

Extex was founded in 1985. Extex can help kids to walk taller, bounce higher, and get wetter while playing. Extex, Inc. makes athletic equipment and outdoor toys for children. Products include anti-gravity boots, balls, inflatable bouncers, stilts, water guns, and zip lines. In addition to its own brand-name items, Extex features toys from such makers as Plasmart, Radica, and Radio Flyer. Extex, Inc. sells products through its website and ships across the continental US from its distribution center in California.

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