Hobby Lobby began operation August 3, 1972 with 300 square feet of retail space, located in North Oklahoma City. This was a retail outgrowth of Greco Products, a miniature picture frame company, founded by David Green in 1970. In January 1973, the operation was moved to a house near N.W. 23rd and Western, and the amount of retail space was increased to approximately 1,000 square feet. Over the years this modest beginning has grown into 467 stores which operates in 39 states. The operation, now known as Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., can no longer be considered just an arts and crafts store. With departments ranging from crafts, hobbies, picture framing, jewelry making, fashion fabrics, floral, cards & party, baskets, wearable art, home accents, and holiday supplies, Hobby Lobby is the place to shop with Super Selection, Super Savings . . . Everyday!

Founded in 2001, Floor and Decor Outlets of America, Inc. company has ambitious plans to equal the market share of big-box rivals Home Depot and Lowe's in its markets. Floor and Decor Outlets of America is cashing in on the home improvement craze. The hard-surface flooring and accessories retailer operates 20-plus stores in half a dozen states, including California, Florida, and Texas. Floor and Decor Outlets of America, Inc. stocks a selection of hardwood floors, flooring tiles (ceramic, granite, marble, porcelain, slate, travertine), decorative bathroom items (sinks, glass and wall tiles), and the tools necessary to perform flooring jobs (grout, mouldings, wet saws). By bypassing distributors, Floor and Decor can offer its products at 20% to 50% less than its competition.

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.

Before Old Navy, there was the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Active-duty military personnel, reservists, retirees, and their family members can shop and gas up at more than 100 NEXCOM retail stores (brand-name and private-label merchandise ranging from apparel to home electronics), more than 155 NEXCOM Ships Stores (basic necessities), and its 100-plus Uniform Support Centers (the sole source of authorized uniforms). NEXCOM also runs about 40 Navy Lodges (motels) in the US and about half a dozen foreign countries. NEXCOM receives tax dollars for its shipboard stores, but it is otherwise self-supporting. Most of the profits fund morale, welfare, and recreational programs (MWR) for sailors.

The Forzani Group in 1974. Forzani has since become Canada's largest sporting goods retailer. The company operates more than 330 company-owned stores under such banners as Athletes World, Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Chek, S3, Sport Mart, and National Sports. The company also franchises about 230 stores under names that include Atmosphere, Econosports, Hockey Experts, Intersport, and Sports Experts. It has about a 20% share of the sporting goods retail market in Canada.

Cole's was founded in 1986. Cole Office Products challenges the idea that big-box stores have the lowest prices. The independent retailer distributes about 3,000 workplace essentials, including business cards, forms, filler paper, writing implements, computer peripherals, office furniture, and maintenance and break room supplies. It features products from such makers as Avery, Safco, and Xerox. Orders can be placed by phone, fax, or through Cole's e-commerce site. As a veteran-owned small business, Cole Office Products, Inc. is an authorized supplier for the government.

Established in 1962 by Jimmy Godwin, Forms & Supply, Inc. is one of the largest office product companies in the United States. In December 2001, the company updated its image to FSIoffice, the single source for all your office needs. FSIoffice is an innovative and flexible full line distributor of furniture, equipment, products, and information technology supplies. Our corporate headquarters is located in Charlotte, NC with over 100,000 square feet of warehouse, showroom, and office space. With more than 300 employees, FSIoffice has representation in five states at nine distribution locations to better serve you. We also have the capability to service national accounts through American Office Products Distributors (AOPD). We offer our own 600+ page FSIoffice catalog and inventory over 8,500 items. With the help of our fleet of over 75 distribution vehicles, FSIoffice is committed to meet your needs with quality, accuracy, and on time, next day deliveries.As a testament of our commitment to service, FSIoffice has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. For two consecutive years, 1998 and 1999, FSI received the “Best Independent Dealer of the World” award from Office Products International (OPI). Other awards include the Hon Award of Excellence for four consecutive years (2002-2005) and the Hon President’s Award in 2006. FSI has also been recognized for nine straight years (2000-2008) by Southeastern Freight Lines as a "World Class Quality Vendor" which requires a score of 99-100 for the entire year. These awards represent quality, integrity, hard work, and excellent service to which we, at FSIoffice, are committed.

It's a good thing Marshall of Cambridge is headquartered at that city's airport, because it needs a hangar-sized container to hold all of its businesses. Among the largest privately held entities in the UK, the Marshall Group comprises several operating subsidiaries. Marshall Aerospace designs, develops, and converts military, civil, and general aircraft, while Marshall Motor Group includes auto dealerships. Marshall Specialist Vehicles designs and supplies specialized commercial vehicles for the military and medical markets. The Marshall Group was founded by David Gregory Marshal in 1909 as a chauffeur drive company; his grandson Michael is now Chairman and CEO.

Founded in 1946 by Bill and Roberta Zimmer, the family-owned chain is run by CEO Alan Zimmer. Lovers wishing to express the sparkle in their relationships might consider consulting Reeds Jewelers. Operating about 90 jewelry stores mainly in malls in 18 states from Texas to Delaware, Reeds offers diamond rings and jewelry, gold jewelry and chains, gemstone rings, watches, and other baubles. Though most operate under the Reeds Jewelers name, in malls where Reeds has already staked a claim, stores are called Mills Jewelers; Reeds also sells products via its Web site and catalog. Diamonds (mostly up to one carat in weight) and gems account for almost 60% of the firm's sales.

Maurice Sporting Goods, Inc. company is a wholesale supplier of athletics, boating, camping, fishing, and hunting gear to both domestic and international retailers and mass merchandisers. It operates about five warehouses in the US and Canada that supply The Sports Authority, Kmart, Modell's, and Wal-Mart, among others. Maurice Sporting Goods also provides inventory management and promotional planning services. The company was founded as a sporting goods store by Maurice and Mae Olshansky in 1923. It is still family owned.

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