America’s Car-Mart, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer primarily in small cities throughout the south-central United States. The company principally sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for its customers.

Zumiez, Inc. operates as a mall based specialty retailer of action sports related apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories in the United States. It offers apparel offerings, including tops, bottoms, outerwear, and accessories such as caps, belts, and sunglasses; and footwear offerings, such as action sports-related athletic shoes and sandals. The company also provides equipment offerings or hardgoods, including skateboards, snowboards, and ancillary gear, such as boots and bindings; and miscellaneous novelties and digital versatile discs.

Aéropostale, Inc. is a fast growing, mall-based, specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally targeting 11 to 18 year-old young women and men. The company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aéropostale maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, marketing and selling all of its own merchandise. Aéropostale products are currently purchased only in its stores, on-line through its website, or at organized sales events at college campuses.

IKEA is one of the world’s top furniture retailers. It sells low-price products, including furniture, accessories, bathrooms and kitchens at retail stores around the world. While its core business is the selling of home furnishings, it also develops and purchases IKEA products in relationship with suppliers.

Gateway is the third largest PC company in the U.S. and among the top ten worldwide. The company’s value-based eMachines brand is sold exclusively by leading retailers worldwide, while the premium Gateway line is available at major retailers, over the phone and web, and through its direct sales force. It consistently ranks among the industry’s top companies in customer loyalty, an accomplishment the company and its employees prize highly.

It was the first PC company to offer systems with color monitors as standard, the first to offer a standard three-year warranty, and the first to commercially explore convergence of the PC and television. It was one of the nation’s early “bricks and clicks” retailers, and it was among the first direct retailers to sell its own branded consumer electronics with the launch of the highly successful Gateway plasma TV and digital display.

Aber Diamond Corporation (Aber) is a specialist diamond company with assets in the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. Aber’s interest in the mining segment consists of a 40% joint venture interest in the Diavik Diamond Mine, located off of Canada’s Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories. Under the Joint Venture Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (DDMI), the 60% joint venture partner and wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Plc. Aber pays 40% of the project operating and capital costs and receives 40% of diamond production.

99 Cents Only Stores sells closeout and regular general merchandise for 99 cents or less. With about 225 stores, the company sells name-brand and private-label food and beverages, health and beauty aids, household goods, toys, and more. Most of the company’s stores are in Southern California, but there are also a few in central California, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Texas. The firm’s Bargain Wholesale unit distributes discounted merchandise to retailers, distributors, and exporters.

With one of the most recognized brands in gift retailing, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM provides a broad range of thoughtful gift products including flowers, plants, gourmet foods, candies, gift baskets and other unique gifts to customers around the world. The Company’s gift product line is extended by the merchandise sold under its complimentary brands, including home décor and garden merchandise, premium popcorn and other food gifts, gourmet food products, and children’s gifts.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., operating through its wholly owned subsidiary BlueLinx Corporation, is a leading distributor of building products in North America. Employing more than 3,300 people in North America, BlueLinx offers 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service more than 11,700 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers. The Company operates its distribution business from sales centers in Atlanta and Denver, and its network of more than 60 warehouses.

Hudson’s Bay Company, established in 1670, is Canada’s largest department store retailer and oldest corporation. The company provides Canadians with the widest selection of goods and services available through numerous retail channels including more than 500 stores led by the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters chains. Hudson’s Bay Company is one of Canada’s largest employers with nearly 70,000 associates and has operations in every province in the country.

Chico’s sells exclusively designed, private-label women’s clothing and related accessories. The Company operates 757 women’s specialty stores, including stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico operating under the Chico’s, White House|Black Market, and soma by Chico’s names. The Company owns 498 Chico’s front-line stores, 29 Chico’s outlet stores, 196 White House|Black Market front-line stores, 6 White House|Black Market outlet stores and 15 Soma by Chico’s stores; franchisees own and operate 13 Chico’s stores.

Blockbuster Inc. is one of the world’s leading providers of videos, DVDs and video games, with worldwide revenues topping $5.5 billion in 2002. According to research group Burke, Inc., the Blockbuster brand enjoys nearly 100 percent recognition among active movie renters in the United States. This, combined with market leadership, makes Blockbuster one of the strongest entertainment brands in the country.

Pendragon PLC is a multi-national operator of franchised motorcar dealerships in the UK with outlets overseas in the USA and Germany. It specializes in the representation of luxury/prestige franchises, including marques such as BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar and Mercedes Benz, operating 19 car dealerships in addition to a small contract hire business.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It provides services, including sales of new and used cars, and light trucks; sales of replacement parts and performance of vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint, and repair services; and arrangement of service contracts, nonrecourse financing, insurance and vehicle protection products.

BayWa is an international wholesaler, retailer and service provider with business activities primarily in the agriculture, building materials and energy sectors. It also has subsidiary companies focusing on the production of consumer goods and on car dealership.

The Jean Coutu Group Inc. is one of the top 10 names in retail sales and distribution of pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products in North America. It plays an important role in the advancement of professional practice in pharmacies. Its rigour, sense of innovation and ability to adopt new methods allow it to take advantage of the development possibilities offered by an industry in full growth.

BJ’s Wholesale Club introduced the warehouse club concept to the northeastern United States in the mid 1980s. Since then, the chain has expanded its operations to 16 states from Maine to Florida.BJ’s is dedicated to providing its members with high-quality, brand-name merchandise at prices that are significantly lower than the prices found at supermarkets, supercenters, department stores, drug stores and specialty retail stores.

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. is a customer-oriented, value driven variety store, operating at a one dollar price point. It will operate profitably, empower its associates to share in its opportunities, rewards and successes; and deal with others in an honest and considerate way.

CarMax, a Fortune 500 company and one of the Fortune 2005 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. With headquarters in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 65 used car superstores in 29 markets. CarMax also operates seven new car franchises, all of which are integrated or co-located with its used car superstores.

UnitedAuto Group is the second largest publicly-traded automotive retailer in the United States as measured by total revenue. It offers a full range of 40 vehicle brands, with approximnately 86% of its revenues generated from the combined sales of foreign brands and luxury brands such as BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes and Toyota.

Saks Incorporated operates through two segments, Saks Department Store Group (SDSG) and Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises (SFAE). SDSG segment offers fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, and decorative home furnishings. SFAE segment offers luxury fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, and gifts.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is a leading specialty retailer encompassing four concepts - Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie, Hollister Co., and RUEHL. The merchandise is sold in retail stores throughout the United States and through catalogs.

Soriana is Mexico’s second-largest retailer based on sales (behind Wal-Mart de México). Its stores have been located primarily in northern Mexico, but Soriana has been adding stores in central and southern Mexico as well. The chain targets price-oriented consumers with name-brand and private-label food, clothing, housewares, health care products, and more.

PETsMART, Inc., is the nation’s leading retail supplier of products, services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 700 pet superstores in the United States and Canada as well as a large pet supply catalog business, and the internet’s leading pet product website.

Tiffany & Co. is a holding company that operates through its subsidiary companies (”Company”). The Company’s principal subsidiary, Tiffany and Company, is a jeweler and specialty retailer, whose merchandise offerings include an extensive selection of fine jewelry, as well as timepieces, sterling silverware, china, crystal, stationery, fragrances and accessories.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is based in Roanoke, Virginia and is the second largest automotive aftermarket retailer in the United States, based on sales and store count. It operates approximately 2,700 stores in 40 continental states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The company sells automotive parts, accessories, batteries and maintenance items.

Signet Group is the world’s largest speciality retail jeweller and operates in the US and UK. As at 30 April 2005, Signet operated 1,769 speciality retail jewellery stores. These include 1,170 stores in the US, where the Group trades as “Kay Jewelers”, “Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry” and under a number of regional names. At the same date Signet operated 599 stores in the UK, where the Group trades as “H.Samuel”, “Ernest Jones” and “Leslie Davis.”

The Neiman Marcus Group is premier luxury retail, comprised of the Specialty Retail Stores segment and the Direct Marketing segment. It offers upscale assortments of apparel, accessories, jewelry, beauty and decorative home products to the affluent consumer.

Michaels Stores, Inc., is the nation’s largest retailer of arts and crafts materials. Michaels stores operate in 48 states and Canada and offer a large selection of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise.

Dillard’s, Inc. ranks among the nations largest fashion apparel and home furnishings retailers with annual revenues exceeding $7.8 billion. The Company focuses on delivering maximum value to its shoppers, with fairly priced merchandise complemented by exceptional customer service. Dillard’s stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, including products sourced and marketed under Dillard’s exclusive brand names. The Company comprises 329 stores, spanning 29 states, all operating with one name - Dillard’s.

Richmond, Virginia-based Circuit City Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics. Circuit City operates more than 600 stores in the United States. Its subsidiary, InterTAN, Inc., operates through more than 1,000 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada.

Barnes & Noble, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is the world’s largest bookseller, operating 821 stores in 50 states.

Ross Stores, Inc., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation’s second largest off-price company with fiscal 2004 revenues of $4.2 billion. As of April 30, 2005, the Company operated 663 Ross stores in 26 states and Guam.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, Esprit Holdings Limited is engaged in the sourcing, retail and wholesale distribution and licensing of quality and lifestyle products designed under the globally recognized Esprit brand name. It operates approximately 580 directly managed retail stores and has over 6,000 wholesale outlets. Its brand Esprit has been a leading international lifestyle fashion brand name applied to an extensive range of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel, footwear and accessories.

UNY Co. is a leading supermarket and convenience store operator in Japan. UNY also operates specialty stores ranging from children’s clothing (Teru Teru) to women’s apparel (Molie) to menswear (Rough Ox). Its Sagami Co. store features kimonos, furs and jewelry. UNY holds a majority stake in an e-commerce joint venture that includes 16 other Japanese companies.

Kesa Electricals is the third biggest distributor of household appliances in Europe. It carries out its main activity as a distributor of household appliances in seven European countries, via many sales outlets.This makes the group the third biggest in its sector in terms of sales.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains, combining its modern store base, strong brand name, modern distribution centers and superior pharmacy technology with a talented team of approximately 72,000 full and part-time associates serving customers in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Rite Aid currently operates approximately 3400 stores, reporting total sales of $16.5 billion at the end of its 2004 fiscal year.

Takashimaya Company is the largest department store chain in Japan. It is also one of the most respected names in Japanese retail, having begun as a clothing store in 1831 and expanded department store operations in 1922. Takashimaya has 12 representative offices worldwide, which provide information and services for the store’s Japanese offices.

Electric home appliances stores, which are positioned in an industry experiencing uncommon growth among various industries around the world, are entering a new age of expanding and tougher competition among large chains. In addition to traditional electric home appliances, digital products for which the market has recently been rapidly expanding, are raising environmental concerns with recycling laws for electric home appliances.

Foot Locker was first introduced to the retail marketplace in 1974 and has since grown to over 2,000 stores worldwide, with over 1,400 stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Today, Foot Locker enjoys widespread recognition in every market where the company operated and its stores have become destination locations for its core customers, the 12-to*20 year old.

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is a growing network of interrelated businesses, engaged in retail, financial services and petroleum. These businesses offer a unique mix of products and services that leverage Canadian Tire’s core capabilities and exemplify its vision to be a growing, innovative network of businesses, achieving extraordinary results through extraordinary people.

Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation (“Shoppers” or the “Company”) is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Québec).It was founded in 1962 by Toronto pharmacist Murray Koffler, who believed that it was possible to build a national organization of pharmacies without sacrificing the personalized service of the local community pharmacist. This vision is the cornerstone of the Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix Associate Concept and has helped build a brand that is synonymous with exceptional service, value and trust.

Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) is the nation’s most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailer and a growing provider of business-to-business retail support services. The company operates a vast network of sales channels, including: nearly 7,000 company-owned and dealer stores; almost 100 RadioShack locations in Mexico; more than 500 SAM’S CLUB wireless kiosks; and a growing number of mall-based Sprint PCS wireless kiosks. RadioShack’s knowledgeable and helpful sales associates deliver convenient product and service solutions within five minutes of where 94 percent of all Americans either live or work.

The first Family Dollar store was opened in Charlotte, NC in 1959. It was a relatively small, self-service operation located in a neighborhood convenient to low and middle income consumers. The merchandise assortment featured basic goods for family and home needs, and the no frills, low overhead, cash-and-carry environment provided good value at the lowest price points. As new stores opened in the early years of the Company’s existence, it became clear that this merchandising concept filled a niche in the marketplace and held great promise for supporting a chain of much larger size.

Refinements have been made through the years, but Family Dollar has never lost sight of the original concept or the Company’s direction. From the beginning, all efforts have been focused on meeting the needs of our customer base for good quality, low cost basic merchandise.

The department store was originally opened as the Japanese Misreukkosi Department Store Gyeongseung branch in 1930. After the liberation of Korea it became the Korean Donghwa Department Store. Taken over by Samsung Partners in 1963, after a public survey, it was renamed to ‘Shinsegae’. The main branch of Korea’s first Department store is located at the center of Seoul, in Chungmuro and has led the domestic department store business for the past 70 years.

Though it is located in Chungmuro, it is regarded as Myeong-dong because it is within the Myeong-dong business area. The reconstruction of the new building will be completed in 2005. Until the construction is finished, only the main building will be open. Soon the Hoehyeon Subway Station will be connected to the department store. Though less popular, it is more luxurious and calm compared to the nearby Lotte Department Store.

KarstadtQuelle AG is Europe‘s largest department store. It is represented in the Over-the-counter retail segment by 220 department stores and sports stores (previous year 212) mostly at excellent locations in German major city centers, in medium-sized towns and city shopping centers.

The Mail-order segment with its two core brands Quelle and Neckermann covers the complete range of universal and specialty mail order in Europe. The decisive factor for the success of the KarstadtQuelle mail-order suppliers are their high competence in the mail-order business, their comprehensive Internet offering and their high standard of customer service.

Colruyt operates several retail networks throughout Belgium and France. In addition to its retail operations, the company also provides services including printing, distribution and IT. Colruyt is headquartered in Halle, Belgium.

Colruyt operates a low-price retail network, consisting of 150 shops across Belgium. Additionally, it operates around 10 subsidiary companies, which can be divided into service and retail-orientated companies.

OfficeMax is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products, including office supplies, paper, technology products and services, and furniture.Serving enterprise-level, mid-size and small businesses, and individual customers, it delivers an unparalleled experience through direct sales, catalogs, the Internet, and at nearly 1,000 superstores.The 40,000+ associates see to it that the OfficeMax difference—a relentless focus on our customers—is realized in service, superior products, time savings, and value.

Marui Co. is one of Japan’s largest department store companies. Marui operates more than 30 department stores along the Yamanote train line.The stores sell men’s and women’s apparel and accessories, sportswear, home appliances, and furniture. Women and twentysomethings represent most of Marui’s customers. Marui stores often create shopping complexes that include clothing boutiques, restaurants, electronics shops, and home furnishings outlets.

Next, throughout its life, it has gained ground constantly and steadily and today the Group has about 330 stores in Britain and Ireland and fifty franchises in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Next sells its garments under its own brand: smart to sportswear apparel for men, women and children, supplies and furniture for the home - bathroom (towels and soap dishes), kitchen (plates and tables), bedroom (sheets and quilts) and living room (armchairs and tables). Its trump card ? moderate prices defying all competition. Next exploits all its sales circuits and distributes its products through catalogues, such as Next Directory, and on the Internet.