ABS was founded in 1997 by president Craig Knouf. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh Americas. When you think of business, what systems do you associate with it? Associated Business Systems (ABS) thinks of big gadgets. ABS sells and services high-tech office machines (such as printers, copiers, fax machines, and scanners) made by companies such as Ricoh, HP, and Kyocera Mita. Other products include archival and retrieval devices, network imaging systems, and supplies for all the machines on the sales floor. Associated Business Systems operates more than a dozen locations in Oregon and Washington, and it services about 35,000 copiers and printers in both states.

The British Internet retailer was founded in 1998 by Michael Smith and Tom Boardman as a means to promote their Shot Glass Chess Set invention. A decade later it began doing business in the US. Firebox.com sells the very gadgets that women are forced to yell over to get their men's (and boys') attention. Firebox.com (formerly hotbox.co.uk) is an Internet retailer selling toys, games, and high-tech gadgets for boys (and girls, really) of all ages; products include remote-controlled cars and planes for the younger set, while for the older guys there are DVDs, cameras, tools, sea scooters, pool tables, and even the Internet Fridge (a refrigerator complete with a 56k modem, TV, radio, and digital camera).

Gameplay GB Ltd. sells new video games at discounted prices for popular platforms, such as the PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. Games from a variety of studios are distributed through Gameplay's Web site to European and other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and the US. In 2004 the company was acquired by THE GAME GROUP, which has become a leading software and game retailer in Europe.

Founded in 1998, Provide Commerce is owned by e-commerce and media conglomerate Liberty Interactive Group. Provide Commerce keeps the perishable goods market fresh. More than 80% of the e-tailer's sales are generated by its ProFlowers.com unit, which ships flowers, plants, and wreaths directly from growers to residential and corporate clients. The virtual florist also offers chocolate, popcorn, and fruit and cheese baskets. Provide Commerce's Cherry Moon Farms virtual shop offers hand-picked fruits, while its Secret Spoon Sweets brand sells baked goods, truffles, hand-dipped strawberries, and other confections. RedEnvelope (acquired in 2008) sells upscale gifts and jewelry online and via catalog.

Family Christian Stores,a leading Christian retailer in the US, Family Christian Stores boasts about 290 stores in about 35 states. The company sells a variety of Christian-themed merchandise, including Bibles and other Christian books, music, software, gifts, cards, videos, apparel, and church supplies. Customers can also buy products through the company's catalog and website. Family Christian has grown through new store openings and acquisitions (including chains Joshua's Christian Stores and Shepherd Shoppe). The investment firm Madison Dearborn owns a majority stake in Family Christian Stores.

MBS Textbook Exchange gives college kids around the country some spending cash at the end of every semester. In addition to distributing new and used textbooks to more than 4,000 colleges and universities nationwide, the company also develops and sells the systems that enable bookstores to sell books and buy them back. MBS is organized into MBS Wholesale, MBS Direct, and MBS Systems. The wholesale division supplies campus bookstores, while the direct division provides books to private K-12 schools, vocational schools, teaching hospitals, and community colleges. The company was founded in 1909 as The Missouri Store Company and became MBS Textbook Exchange in 1980.

Founded in 1973, the company is a subsidiary of Fred Meyer Stores, which is itself a subsidiary of grocery giant Kroger. Fred Meyer Jewelers wants to help you keep track of time while making room in your life for some bling. Founded in 1973, Fred Meyer Jewelers sells value-priced diamond and gemstone jewelry and well-known watch brands, such as Bulova, Citizen, Longines, Movado, and Omega. The company has some 375 jewelry stores in about three dozen states, including locations inside Fred Meyer Marketplace and Kroger Marketplace stores. (More than a third of the stores are located in California, Oregon, and Washington.) It operates under the names Barclay Jewelers, Fred Meyer Jewelers, and Littman Jewelers.

Current USA is a leading direct marketer of greeting cards and gift wrap, scrapbooking supplies, stationery, and home decorating items. It sells under the brands Times to Cherish (scrapbooking supplies), Colorful Images (personalized address labels and other paper products), Lillian Vernon (gifts and home decor), and, of course, Current. The company also operates an outlet store in Colorado and a fundraising business that lets not-for-profit groups sell its products and share the proceeds. Founded in the 1950s, Current USA was initially run out of the basement of founders Orin and Miriam Loo. The company, which was family owned and operated until 1986, is a subsidiary of printing giant Taylor.

U.S. Toy Co. turns play into work and vice versa. The toy company and its divisions, including Constructive Playthings and U.S. Toy Magic, sell party and novelty items, magic books and supplies, early childhood toys, and multimedia learning materials. U.S. Toy Co., Inc., founded in 1953, operates through stores located in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas. U.S. Toy Co. also peddles its wares through its Web site. U.S. Toy Co., Inc. publishes catalogs for each of its divisions, including two for Constructive Playthings (one for school and one for family).

Noevir Holding of America operates Noevir USA and Noevir Canada, which distribute personal care products, such as cosmetics and skin care, formulated from natural ingredients. It also sells products for hair care, body care, and nutrition such as herbal teas and spirulina. Brand names include Noevir 505 and Noevir 99, which are sold by the company's independent sales consultants as well as in stores and online. Noevir's products are developed at about a dozen research centers in Japan and the US. The firm is a subsidiary of Japan's Noevir Co. Ltd., which imported aircraft parts when it was first founded in 1964. Noevir began operating in the US in 1979.

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