Nordstrom- Nordstrom, Inc. operates as a fashion specialty retailer in the United States. It sells apparel, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories through Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and Last Chance retail stores, as well as through its Web site at www.nordstrom.com and catalogs. The company, through its federal savings bank, Nordstrom fsb, offers a private label card, two co-branded Nordstrom VISA credit cards, and a debit card for Nordstrom purchases. Nordstrom also operates Fa�onnable boutiques, which serves as a wholesaler and retailer of men's, women's, and boys' apparel and accessories with distribution to approximately 45 countries. As of February 3, 2007, it operated 98 Nordstrom stores, 50 discount Nordstrom Rack stores, 2 clearance stores, and 1 free-standing shoe store, as well as 4 Fa�onnable boutiques in the United States, and 36 Fa�onnable boutiques located in France, Portugal, and Belgium. The company was founded in 1901 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

 

 

Wal  mart stores- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates retail stores in various formats worldwide. It operates through three segments: Wal-Mart Stores, Sam's Club, and International. The Wal-Mart Stores segment includes supercenters, discount stores, and neighborhood markets in the United States, as well as walmart.com. This segment offers general merchandise, including apparel, domestics, fabrics and notions, stationery and books, shoes, housewares, hardware, electronics, home furnishings, small appliances, automotive accessories, horticulture and accessories, sporting goods, toys, pet food and pet accessories, cellular phones, and cellular service plan contracts. Its stores also offer grocery merchandise, and financial services and products. The Sam's Club segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the United States, as well as samsclub.com. This segment primarily provides hardgoods, softgoods, institutional-size grocery items, and selected private-label items under the MEMBER'S MARK, BAKERS & CHEFS, and SAM'S CLUB brands. The International segment includes various formats of retail stores and restaurants, including discount stores, supercenters, and Sam's Clubs that operate in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the People's Republic of China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. As of January 31, 2007, the company operated 1,075 discount stores; 2,256 supercenters; 579 Sam's Clubs; and 112 Neighborhood Markets in the United States. It operated 13 units in Argentina, 299 in Brazil, 289 in Canada, 137 in Costa Rica, 63 in El Salvador, 132 in Guatemala, 41 in Honduras, 392 in Japan, 889 in Mexico, 40 in Nicaragua, 54 in Puerto Rico, and 335 in the United Kingdom, as well as 73 stores through joint ventures in the People's Republic of China, as of the above date. The company was founded in 1945 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

 

 

Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for teens and young adults in the United States. It operates mall-based chains of retail stores under the names of Pacific Sunwear' (PacSun), Pacific Sunwear Outlet' (PacSun Outlet), demo', and One Thousand Steps. The company's PacSun and PacSun Outlet stores offer board-sport inspired casual apparel, footwear, and related accessories. Its demo stores offer street wear, including casual apparel, footwear, and related accessories. The company also sells its PacSun and demo merchandise online. As of March 28, 2007, Pacific Sunwear of California operated 843 PacSun stores, 116 PacSun Outlet stores, 225 demo stores, and 9 One Thousand Steps stores. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Anaheim, California.

Bebe stores, inc. engages in the design, development, and production of a line of women's apparel and accessories. Its product offering includes a range of fashion separates, tops, dresses, active wear, and accessories in career, evening, casual, and active lifestyle categories. The company offers its products under the bebe, COLLECTION bebe, Neda by bebe, Neda, BEBE SPORT, and bebe O brand names through stores. As of December 30, 2006, the company operated 258 stores, which included 189 bebe stores, 20 bebe outlet stores, 40 BEBE SPORT stores, and 1 bebe accessories store in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In addition, it operates an online store, bebe.com; and its licensees operate approximately 17 international stores. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Brisbane, California.

 

Limited Brands, Inc. sells women's and men's apparel, lingerie, beauty, and personal care products primarily in the United States and Canada. It offers women's intimate and other apparel, personal care and beauty products, and accessories under the Victoria's Secret and La Senza brands; personal care, beauty, and home fragrance products under the Bath & Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, and White Barn Candle Co. brands; women's and men's apparel through Limited Stores; and fashion and personal care products for women through Henri Bendel specialty stores, one each in New York, New York and Columbus, Ohio. Limited Brands sells merchandise at its 3,140 specialty stores, and through e-commerce and catalogue direct response channels. The company was founded in 1963. It was formerly known as The Limited, Inc. and changed its name to Limited Brands, Inc. in 2002. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio.

 

 

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., a retailing company, engages in the design, marketing, and sale of clothing in the United States and Canada. The company offers jeans and graphic T-shirts, as well as accessories, outerwear, footwear, basics, and swimwear under American Eagle Outfitters', American Eagle', MARTIN + OSA', and AE' brand names, primarily targeting 15 to 25 year-olds. It also provides dormwear and intimates, including bras, undies, camis, hoodies, robes, boxers, and sweats under the aerie' brand name. As of February 3, 2007, the company operated 906 American Eagle Outfitters stores and 5 MARTIN + OSA stores. American Eagle Outfitters also distributes its merchandise through its e-commerce operation (ae.com). The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Urban Outfitters, Inc., a lifestyle merchandising company, operates specialty retail stores under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People brands in North America and Europe. Its retail stores offer fashion apparel, footwear, accessories, gifts and decorative items, furniture, books, candles and novelties, pillows and shower curtains, rugs, lighting and antiques, table top items, and bedding products. As of August 7, 2007, the company operated approximately 200 stores in North America and Europe. It also markets its products directly to the consumer through its e-commerce Web sites, as well as through its catalogs. In addition, Urban Outfitters engages in the wholesale distribution of apparel, including young women's casual wear, tops, bottoms, sweaters, and dresses to approximately 1,500 specialty retailers. The company was founded in 1970 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of casual apparel for men, women, and kids in the United States. Its stores sell casual apparel, such as knit shirts, graphic t-shirts, jeans, and woven shirts; and personal care and other accessories under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister, and RUEHL brands. As of July 5th, 2007, the company operated 950 stores located in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. also sells its products through Web-based stores, as well  through a mail order catalogue.  The Company is in the process of securing locations in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Tokyo, Denmark and Sweden and plans to identify additional key locations in the United Kingdom. A Hollister Flagship will be opening in New York City in Spring 2009 at 600 broadway. The company was founded in 1892 and is headquartered in New Albany, Ohio.

 

 

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership warehouses that offer a selection of branded and private label products in a range of merchandise categories in no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities. Its product categories include candy, snack foods, tobacco, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and cleaning and institutional supplies; dry and institutionally packaged foods; meat, bakery, deli, and produce; appliances, electronics, health and beauty aids, hardware, office supplies, garden and patio, sporting goods, furniture, cameras, and automotive supplies; apparel, domestics, jewelry, house wares, media, home furnishings, and small appliances; and gas stations, pharmacy, food court, optical, one-hour photo, hearing aid, and travel. Costco offers Business, Gold Star (individual), and Executive Memberships. As of October 12, 2006, the company operated 488 warehouses, including 359 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 68 in Canada, 18 in the United Kingdom, 5 in Korea, 4 in Taiwan, 5 in Japan, and 29 in Mexico. Costco also operates Costco Online, an electronic commerce Web site, at www.costco.com and at www.costco.ca in Canada. The company was founded in 1976. It was formerly known as Price/Costco, Inc. and changed its name to Costco Companies, Inc. in 1997. Further, the company changed its name to Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1999. Costco is based in Issaquah, Washington.

 

 

Target Corporation engages in the operation of general merchandise and food discount stores in the United States. It offers an assortment of general merchandise, including consumables and commodities; electronics, entertainment, sporting goods, and toys; apparel and accessories; and home furnishings and decor; as well as a line of food items. The company operates its stores under Target and SuperTarget brands. It also serves its customers through online. The company distributes its products through a network of distribution centers and import warehouses. As of May 4, 2007, the company operated 1,502 stores in 47 states and 182 SuperTarget stores in 21 states, as well as 25 distribution centers and 4 import centers. Target Corporation was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

 

J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. sells merchandise and services to customers through its department stores and catalog/Internet. It markets family apparel, jewelry, shoes, accessories, and home furnishings. The company's department stores also provide salon, optical, portrait photography, and custom decorating services. As of May 17, 2007, J. C. Penney Corporation operated 1,039 JCPenney department stores in the United States and Puerto Rico. It also owns and operates 4 Internet/catalog fulfillment centers and 3 regional warehouses. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in Plano, Texas. J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. is a subsidiary of J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

 

 

Kohl's Corporation operates family-oriented department stores in the United States. The company's stores offer apparel, accessories, and footwear for women, men, and children; soft home products, such as towels, sheets, and pillows; and house wares. As of April 7, 2007, it operated 824 stores in 45 states. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

 

 

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation engages in the design and marketing of branded dress shirts, sportswear, and footwear and other related products worldwide. It also designs, manufactures, and markets branded neckwear. The company's products include apparel and accessories, jeans, underwear, fragrances, eyewear, men's tailored clothing, ties, shoes, hosiery, socks, footwear, swimwear, jewelry, watches, coats, handbags, leather goods, home furnishings, and accessories. It also markets sportswear, including men's knit and woven sport shirts, sweaters, bottoms, swimwear, boxers, and outerwear at wholesale through approximately 15,000 doors in department, mass market, specialty, and independent stores in the United States. In addition, the company operates retail outlet stores that offer men's dress shirts; neckwear and underwear; men's and women's sportswear, including tops, woven and knit shirts, sweaters, bottoms, and outerwear; men's and women's accessories, such as handbags, wallets, belts, and travel gear; men's and women's active-inspired sportswear; and casual and dress casual shoes for men, women, and children. As of February 4, 2007, it operated approximately 700 retail stores under the Van Heusen, IZOD, Bass, Geoffrey Beene, Calvin Klein, and Calvin Klein Collection names. Further, Phillips-Van Heusen licenses its brands over a range of products. The company was founded in 1876 and is based in New York, New York.

 

 

Iconix Brand Group, Inc., a brand management company, engages in the ownership, licensing, and marketing of a portfolio of owned consumer brands worldwide. It owns brands, such as Candie's, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific, and Danskin. The company licenses its brands through its 115 retail and wholesale licenses for use in connection with various product categories, including women's, men's, and children's apparel, footwear, and accessories; home furnishings; and beauty and fragrance. It also arranges, as an agent, for the manufacture of footwear products for mass market and discount retailers under their private label brands, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Bright Star Footwear, Inc. The company, formerly known as Candie's, Inc., was founded in 1978. It changed its name to Iconix Brand Group, Inc. in 2005. Iconix Brand Group is based in New York, New York.

 

 

Zumiez, Inc., a mall-based specialty retailer, provides action sports-related apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories. The company's stores offer apparel, which includes tops, bottoms, and outerwear, as well as accessories, such as caps, belts, and sunglasses; footwear, which primarily consists of athletic shoes and sandals; hard goods, including skateboards, snowboards, bindings, components, and other equipment; and other items, such as miscellaneous novelties and DVDs to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 24. Its stores also provide private label products across various apparel product categories. As of February 3, 2007, Zumiez operated 235 stores under the Zumiez brand name primarily in shopping malls in 23 states. In addition, it operates a Web site, which sells merchandise online. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Everett, Washington.