The Top 100 Consumer Electronics Retailers

Percentage change: 8.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 7

Stores selling CE, 2002: 7

A member of the Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group), privately held 6th Ave was founded in New York City in 1984. The hybrid big box boutique A/V specialist currently operates seven stores in New Jersey and maintains an e-commerce Web site at 6ave.com. It is planning on adding two store locations this fall.

#39 ABC Appliance

1 Silverdome Industrial Park

Pontiac, MI 48342

248 335 4222

www.abcwarehouse.com

Gordon Hartunian, Chairman/President

Martin Hartunian, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $281

2002 CE sales in millions: $274

Percentage change: 2.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 57

Stores selling CE, 2002: 54

Privately held ABC Warehouse is a member of the NATM Buying Corp. buying organization. ABC has grown from its founding in 1963 with a single Michigan location to 39 ABC Warehouse superstores, plus 16 Mickey Shorr mobile electronics specialty stores (chain acquired in 1984) and two upscale Hawthorne Appliance outlets (company acquired in 1990). The flagship stores focus on selling consumer electronics and appliances within a "warehouse" concept throughout Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and since 2001, feature Kitchen Glamor in-store shops for cookware and small kitchen electrics.

#75 Abt Electronics & Appliance

1200 North Milwaukee Road

Glenview, IL 60025

847 967 8830

www.abtelectronics.com

Robert Abt, CEO

Michael Abt, President

Phil Hannan, General Manager

Billy Abt, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $70

2002 CE sales in millions: $50

Percentage change: 40.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

With its single megastore of 350,000 square feet, privately held Abt has been serving Chicagoland residents out of several increasing larger locations since 1936. The family business has established a rock solid reputation for service and contributions to the community, and is a vendor favorite for new product introductions. The company carries a wide range of brown and white goods brands that aims at a broad base of area residents, and joined the PRO Group in 2003. Total estimated sales were $140 million in 2003.

#22 Amazon.com

PO Box 81226

Seattle, WA 98108-1226

206 266 1000

www.amazon.com

Jeff Bezos, Chairman/President/CEO

Diego Piacertini, Sr. VP Worldwide Retail and Marketing

Frank Sadowski, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $747

2002 CE sales in millions: $579

Percentage change: 29.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Publicly held Amazon.com has become a full line, worldwide retailer by adding Web sites in the U.K., Germany, France, Japan and Canada, and pressed its lead as the largest pure-play e-tailer by expanding its CE offering, its brick-and-mortar retail partnerships and adding gourmet foods, jewelry and health care products in 2003. Total North American sales for fiscal year 2003 were $3.3 billion, an 18 percent increase over the prior year's sales.

#43 American TV & Appliance

2404 W. Beltline Hwy.

Madison, WI 53713

608 271 1000

www.americantv.com

Len Mattioli, Chairman

Douglas G. Reuhl, President/CEO

David Shephard, Sr. VP, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $248

2002 CE sales in millions: $242

Percentage change: 2.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 11

Stores selling CE, 2002: 10

This privately held retailer of consumer electronics, appliances and furniture operates 11 retail stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Iowa. Consumer electronics products offered include TV, video, audio, personal computers and personal electronics. Its superstores average 130,000 square feet in size, and generated estimated total 2003 sales of $350 million, down from $360 million the previous year. The 50-year-old company expects to enter the St. Louis market with three new stores this September, and plans to add a fourth there in 2005.

#23 Apple Computer Retail Stores

1 Infinite Loop

Cupertino, CA 95014

408 996 1010

www.apple.com

Ron Johnson, Sr. VP, Retail

2003 CE sales in millions: $746

2002 CE sales in millions: $383

Percentage change: 94.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 73

Stores selling CE, 2002: 51

Apple Computer had 73 retail stores at the end of calendar year 2003 as compared to 51 stores at the end of 2002, its second year in business. Retail revenues increased from $383 million to $746 million over the calendar year, representing a 95 percent gain. In addition to Macintosh computers, the product mix at the retail stores includes peripherals, digital cameras, camcorders and Apple's top-selling iPod brand digital audio players.

#28 Army & Air Force Exchange Service

3911 S. Walton Walker Blvd.

Dallas, TX 75236

214 312 2011

www.aafes.com

Major General Katherine Frost, Commander/CEO

Marilyn Iverson, President/COO

Mary Ellen Gillespie, Sr. VP Sales

John Engroff, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $563

2002 CE sales in millions: $561

Percentage change: 0.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 153

Stores selling CE, 2002: 138

AAFES, as the organization is known, increased the number of its full-line retail facilities from 138 to 153 last year. The retail operation also sells direct through its catalog and via an e-commerce Web site. Customers served include active duty Army and Air Force military, National Guard members, reservists, retirees and their families. Total retail revenue for fiscal year 2003 was $7 billion, essentially flat compared with prior year sales.

#62 Audio Express

15490 N. 83rd. Way

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

480-966-3100

www.audioexpress.com

Mike Santacruz, Chairman

Ed Santacruz, President

Paul Gosswiller, Chief Merchandising Officer

Paul Gosswiller, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $110

2002 CE sales in millions: $115

Percentage change: -4.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 46

Stores selling CE, 2002: 46

Founded in 1978, Audio express is one of the largest privately held automotive mobile electronics retail chains in the country. Estimated revenues in 2003 were $110 million, down from an estimated $115 million in 2002. The number of mobile and consumer electronics retail store units at the end of 2003 was 46, with no change from the prior year. The company maintains stores in the West, Midwest and Southwest, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri.

#85 Bernie's

2230 Berlin Turnpike

Newington, CT 06111

860 594 4446

www.bernies.com

Milton Rosenberg, Owner/President

Allan Schaffer, VP, Merchandising

Mark Major, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $58

2002 CE sales in millions: $56

Percentage change: 3.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 11

Stores selling CE, 2002: 11

Family-owned Bernie's was founded in 1947. It is a member of the NATM buying group and operates eleven stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Stores average 15,000 square feet, although new units — and there are at least five on the drawing board — may come in at 20,000 square feet. Currently, the company is consolidating four distribution centers and three offices into one new 185,000 square foot showroom and warehouse facility that will also serve as its new corporate office. Consumer electronics accounts for an estimated 54 percent of sales with the balance belonging to major appliances and bedding.

#1 Best Buy

7601 Penn Avenue South

Richfield, MN 55423

612 291 1000

www.bestbuy.com

Richard Schulze, Chairman

Brad Anderson, Vice Chair/CEO

Ron Boire, Exec. VP/General Merchandise Manager

2003 CE sales in millions: $19,531

2002 CE sales in millions: $16,589

Percentage change: 17.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 608

Stores selling CE, 2002: 548

Minneapolis-based Best Buy is the No. 1 retailer of consumer electronics in the U.S., with an assortment that also includes personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. In fiscal 2004, Best Buy increased the number of U.S. flagship stores to 608 from 548. Total U.S. sales for fiscal year 2004 were $22.2 billion, an increase of 15 percent from the prior year. During the course of 2003, Best Buy sold its Musicland subsidiary, which it had acquired in 2001, to a private investment firm, Sun Capital, and began rolling out its next-generation "customer-centricity" stores.

#57 Big Lots

300 Phillipi Rd.

Columbus, OH 43228

614 278 6800

www.biglots.com

Michael Potter, Chairman/CEO

Al Bell, Vice Chairman

John Martin, Exec. VP, Merchandising

Ralph Smith, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $127

2002 CE sales in millions: $118

Percentage change: 7.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,385

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,331

Public Big Lots has closeout retail outlets throughout 45 states. The stores range in size from 20,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet, helping the company generate total fiscal year 2004 revenue of $4.2 billion — a 7.9 percent increase from the prior fiscal year.

#27 BJ's Wholesale

1 Mercer Road

Natick, MA 01760

508 651 7400

www.bjs.com

Herb Zarkin, Chairman

Michael T Wedge, President/CEO

Ed Beevers, Sr. VP, General Merchandise

Mike Atkinson, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $580

2002 CE sales in millions: $505

Percentage change: 14.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 150

Stores selling CE, 2002: 140

Publicly traded BJ's Wholesale Club is the No. 3 wholesale club chain, behind Costco and Wal-Mart's Sam's Club, and operates primarily in the Eastern U.S. At the end of its fiscal year, the company operated 150 warehouse stores, compared with 140 units during the prior year. Total sales for fiscal year 2004 were $6.6 billion, compared with $5.7 billion in fiscal 2002, representing an increase of 14.9 percent.

#31 Blockbuster

1201 Elm St.

Dallas, TX 75270

214 854 3000

www.blockbuster.com

John Antioco, Chairman/CEO

Nigel Travis, President/COO

Nick Shepherd, Exec. VP Merchandising

Larry Zine, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $463

2002 CE sales in millions: $306

Percentage change: 51.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 5,600

Stores selling CE, 2002: 5,500

Headquartered in Dallas, Blockbuster is a publicly traded subsidiary of Viacom, boasting more than 8,500 video rental stores worldwide. The consumer electronics sales contingent consists primarily of video game sales and related hardware and accessories, as well as DirecTV subscriptions and DVD and VHS players and accessories, and does not include sales or rentals of entertainment software. Total sales for fiscal year 2003 were $5.9 billion, compared to $5.6 billion for fiscal 2002, representing an increase of 6.2 percent.

#73 Boscov's

4500 Perkiomen Ave.

Reading, PA 19606

610 779 2000

www.boscovs.com

Ken Lakin, Chairman

Burt Kreiger, President

Ed McKeaney, Sr. VP Merchandising

Howard Samuels, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $81

2002 CE sales in millions: $79

Percentage change: 2.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 40

Stores selling CE, 2002: 38

Privately held Boscov's operates 40 full-line department stores in the five mid-Atlantic states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. Boscov's has been in business for more than 75 years and sells multiple brands of better consumer electronics products, including Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic, and boasts the largest independently owned service organization in its trading area. Total estimated sales for fiscal year 2004 were $1.1 billion, an estimated 6 percent increase from the prior year when the country's largest family-run department store chain — and biggest electronics dealer in the channel — joined the NATM Buying Corp.

#26 Bose Corporation

The Mountain

Framingham, MA 01701-9168

508 879 7330

www.bose.com

Amar Bose, Chairman/CEO

John Coleman, President

2003 CE sales in millions: $589

2002 CE sales in millions: $567

Percentage change: 3.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 109

Stores selling CE, 2002: 109

Since its founding in 1964, privately held Bose has been an innovator in audio products and systems using advanced audio technologies. It sells its products through an estimated 109 company owned stores in the U.S. and on its Web site, bose.com. The company maintains additional stores outside of North America.

#38 BrandsMart U.S.A.

3200 NW 42nd St

Hollywood, FL 33312

954 797 4000

www.brandsmartusa.com

Robert Perlman, Chairman

Michael Perlman, President

Richard Wallace, Sr. VP Merchandising

Tom Freeman, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $325

2002 CE sales in millions: $313

Percentage change: 3.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 5

Stores selling CE, 2002: 5

Privately held BrandsMart U.S.A. is a member of the NATM Buying Corp. It operates five superstores in South Florida and is readying its first out-of-state foray: a 122,000-square-foot facility in suburban Atlanta and a 200,000-square-foot regional warehouse, expandable to 1 million square feet, that can support additional locations. In addition to consumer electronics, BrandsMart sells major and small appliances and kitchen and houseware products. Total estimated sales for fiscal year 2003 were $590 million, compared to $565 million for fiscal 2002, representing an increase of 4.4 percent.

#30 Buy.com

27 Brookline Avenue

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

949 389 2000

www.buy.com

Scott Blum, Founder

Neel Grover, President

2003 CE sales in millions: $494

2002 CE sales in millions: $419

Percentage change: 17.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Privately held Buy.com is an Internet superstore and low-price leader with almost 5 million customers and nearly a million SKUs. Product range is broad and includes computer hardware and software, electronics, wireless products and services, books, sporting goods and office supplies. Estimated consumer electronics revenue for 2003 was $494 million.

#59 Cambridge Soundworks

100 Brickstone Square

Andover, MA 01810

978 623 4400

www.cambridgesoundworks.com

Sim Wong Hoo, Chairman

Michael Sullivan, President

Ron Bigos, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $123

2002 CE sales in millions: $127

Percentage change: -3.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 25

Stores selling CE, 2002: 26

Cambridge Soundworks designs, manufactures and sells high-performance, high-value sound systems for use in home stereo, home theater and multimedia systems. Products are sold via the company's 25 retail locations in California, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and direct by telephone or online at its sister company's e-commerce Web site, Hifi.com. Cambridge is a subsidiary of Singapore-based public company Creative Technology.

#46 Car Toys

20 West Galer St

Seattle, WA 98119

206 443 0980

www.cartoys.com

Dan Brettler, President/CEO

Jim Warren, Sr. VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $200

2002 CE sales in millions: $167

Percentage change: 19.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 59

Stores selling CE, 2002: 57

Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., privately held Car Toys was founded in 1987. It is a major mobile electronics retailer specializing in car audio and wireless sales and service. It has 59 stores in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Texas, and has formed strategic partnerships with mobile electronics vendors and wireless and paging carriers to provide a broad array of products and services to the Northwest and Texas markets.

#66 CDW Corp

200 North Milwaukee Ave.

Vernon Hills, IL 60061

847 465 6000

www.cdw.com

John Edwardson, Chairman/ President/CEO

Dianne Primo, VP Merchandising

Gary Ross, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $98

2002 CE sales in millions: $111

Percentage change: -11.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2

Publicly held CDW Computer Center's business model focuses on small and medium sized businesses. Currently, over 97 percent of its sales are culled from commercial accounts primarily in the corporate and public sectors, with less than 3 percent coming from non-commercial, consumer accounts. CDW had previously acquired the major business assets of the bankrupt Micro Warehouse, and its Web-based sales have been growing briskly ever since, increasing over 27 percent in 2003 to greater than $1 billion. Total sales for 2003 were $4.7 billion, representing a 9.4 percent increase from the $4.3 billion garnered in 2002.

#3 Circuit City

9950 Mayland Dr.

Richmond, VA 23233

804 527 4000

www.circuitcity.com

W. Alan McCollough, Chairman/President/CEO

Ron Baime, chief CE buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $9,750

2002 CE sales in millions: $9,950

Percentage change: -2.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 604

Stores selling CE, 2002: 626

Publicly traded Circuit City operates 599 Circuit City Superstores and five Circuit City Express mall stores in the U.S. Following its much publicized and still controversial decision to exit the major appliance business, its core selling segments include consumer electronics, personal computers and entertainment software. For fiscal year 2004, the company reported total sales of $9.8 billion, a 2 percent decrease from fiscal 2003 revenues of nearly $10 billion. The company is currently engaged in retrofitting and relocating its stores in an effort to update its infrastructure and improve its real estate.

#8 CompUSA

14951 N. Dallas Pkwy.

Dallas, TX 75254

972 982 4000

www.compusa.com

Carlos Slim Domit, Chairman

Larry Mondry, President/CEO

2003 CE sales in millions: $4,010

2002 CE sales in millions: $4,155

Percentage change: -3.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 221

Stores selling CE, 2002: 231

This leading retailer of personal computers and related products and services operates 221 stores across the United States in 90 major metropolitan markets, and sells direct over its e-commerce Web site, compusa.com. The ownership of CompUSA resides with U.S. Commercial Corp., the Mexican holding company that is owned by the Slim family of Mexico. As part of its CE and IT convergence strategy, CompUSA acquired Good Guys in December 2003, which it is operating as a separate subsidiary, and has significantly upped its CE quotient with in-store A/V shops.

#84 Compu-U-Plus

20 Robert Pitt Drive

Monsey, NY 10952

845 352 8100

www.compuplus.com

Adam Reich, Chairman/President/CEO

Jeff Kirschblum, VP Purchasing and Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $59

2002 CE sales in millions: $55

Percentage change: 7.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Privately held Comp-U-Plus is an e-tailer of computer peripherals headquartered in Monsey, N.Y. Its e-commerce Web site, which specializes in sales of computer peripherals, is located at compuplus.com.

#45 Conn's Appliances

P.O. Box 2358

Beaumont, TX 77704

409 832 1696

www.conns.com

Tommy Frank, Chairman/CEO

Bill Nylin, President

David Trahan, Sr. VP Merchandising

Bob Wikes, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $202

2002 CE sales in millions: $186

Percentage change: 8.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 46

Stores selling CE, 2002: 41

NATM Buying Corp. member Conn's became a public company in November and still focuses on consumer electronics and appliances in addition to furniture and lawn care products. The company operates 47 stores in Louisiana and Texas, including five new locations in Dallas, and ultimately plans to add 13 more units within that market. For fiscal year 2004, the company, which enjoys robust revenue from its credit operations, saw total product sales of $399 million, representing a 14.6 percent increase over fiscal 2003 product revenues of $348 million.

#12 Costco Wholesale

999 Lake Drive

Issaquah, WA 98027

425 313 8100

www.costco.com

Jeff Brotman, Chairman

Jim Sinegal, President/CEO

Dennis Knapp, Sr. VP Merchandising

Shane Williams, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $2,283

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,100

Percentage change: 8.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 317

Stores selling CE, 2002: 304

Publicly traded Costco operates a chain of 420 membership warehouses worldwide, 310 of which are located in the U.S. For the 2003 fiscal year ending Sept. 1, the company's U.S revenues increased to $35.1 billion from 2002 fiscal year sales of $32.3 billion, representing an increase of 8.7 percent. The company offers a tantalizing mix of off-brand and unauthorized premium CE products, including Samsung and Thomson DLP TVs, although it is also one of the few brick-and-mortar outlets sanctioned to carry product by Gateway and Dell.

#96 Cowboy Maloney's Electric City

1313 Harding St.

Jackson, MS 39202

601 948 5600

www.cowboymaloney.com

James Con Maloney Jr., Chairman

Eddie Maloney, President

Johnny Maloney, VP Merchandising

John Musselwhite, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $34

2002 CE sales in millions: $35

Percentage change: -2.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 13

Stores selling CE, 2002: 13

Privately held Cowboy Maloney's Electric City is a member of the NATM buying group. The company, famous for being the birthplace of DirecTV's retail offering, operates thirteen stores, with twelve units in Mississippi and one in Tennessee, although management reports that it is looking to add three Mississippi locations in the near future. CE sales are estimated to comprise slightly more than half of Cowboy Maloney's total revenue, with the balance in major appliances.

#47 Crutchfield

1 Crutchfield Park

Charlottesville, VA 22911

434 817 1000

www.crutchfield.com

William G. Crutchfield, President/ CEO

Dan Hodgson, Sr. VP Business Development

Carl Mathews, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $198

2002 CE sales in millions: $194

Percentage change: 2.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2

Started in 1974 as a mail order car stereo business, this privately held company now offers home audio/video and mobile audio/video through its catalog and e-commerce Web site, crutchfield.com. A recently added Web section, the CrutchfieldAdvisor, extends the company's approach of providing extensive consumer electronics information, product selection and comparisons, and installation help online. Headquarters are in Charlottesville, Va., and two retail outlets are also maintained in the state.

#48 CVS Pharmacy

One CVS Drive

Woonsocket, RI 02895

401 765 1500

www.cvs.com

Thomas M. Ryan, Chairman/President/CEO

Chris Bodine, Exec. VP, Merchandising and Marketing

David Halle, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $197

2002 CE sales in millions: $156

Percentage change: 26.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 4,122

Stores selling CE, 2002: 4,087

Publicly traded drug store chain CVS operates 4,179 stores in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Calendar year 2003 total sales were $26.6 billion, a 9.9 percent increase over the prior year's $24.2 billion tally. In the first quarter of 2004, CVS acquired a portion of the Eckerd drug store chain, consisting largely of locations in Texas and Florida.

#69 Datavision Computer Video

445 Fifth Ave.

New York, NY 10016

212 689 1111

www.datavis.com

James Garson, Chairman/CEO

Albert Liniado, President

Alan Klein, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $91

2002 CE sales in millions: $88

Percentage change: 3.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

Privately held Datavision sells computer hardware, software, video and mobile communications products. The specialty niche player operates one store in mid-town Manhattan and sells products directly through its e-commerce Web site. Authorized brands include Sony, Apple, Toshiba, Olympus, Rio, Panasonic, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard.

#4 Dell Computer

1 Dell Way

Round Rock, TX 78682

512 338 4400

www.dell.com

Michael Dell, Chairman/CEO

Kevin Rollins, President/COO

John Hamlin, Sr. VP and GM U.S. Consumer Business

2003 CE sales in millions: $6,263

2002 CE sales in millions: $5,178

Percentage change: 21.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

The merchandising strategy of publicly traded Dell is based on a business model of selling and drop shipping computer systems and services directly to customers via its Web site, catalogs, phone lines and, to a lesser extent, mall-based kiosks. Dell.com's product offering has increased to include more PC peripherals, projectors, PDAs, software, digital cameras, MP3s and TV monitors as it positions itself for the coming convergence of IT and PC products. Total fiscal year 2004 revenues were $41.4 billion, a 17.1 percent increase from prior fiscal year revenues of $35.4 billion. Sales within the Western Hemisphere account for nearly 70 percent of total revenues.

#50 Dillard's

1600 Cantrell Street

Little Rock, AR 72201

501 376 5200

www.dillards.com

William Dillard II, Chairman/CEO

Alex Dillard, President

Mike McNiff, VP Merchandising Apparel

2003 CE sales in millions: $180

2002 CE sales in millions: $704

Percentage change: -74.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 333

Stores selling CE, 2002: 333

Publicly traded Dillard's operated a total of 333 stores in 29 Southern, mid-Western and Western states in 2003. Total sales for fiscal year 2004 were $7.6 billion, a 3.9 percent decrease from the prior year's tally of $7.9 billion. The decline reflected changes in Dillard's product mix — which included dropping consumer electronics from its assortment in the first half of 2003.

#77 Dollar General

100 Mission Ridge

Goodlettsville, TN 37072

615 855 4000

www.dollargeneral.com

David Purdue, Chairman

Lawrence Jackson, President/COO

Stoney O'Bryant, Exec. VP Merchandising Marketing and Strategic Planning

Margie Roarke, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $69

2002 CE sales in millions: $61

Percentage change: 13.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 6,700

Stores selling CE, 2002: 6,113

Publicly traded discount retailer Dollar General operated 6,700 stores in 27 states during 2003. Total sales for fiscal year 2004 were $6.9 billion, a 12.7 percent increase over fiscal year 2003 revenues of $6.1 billion.

#70 Eckerd

8333 Bryan Dairy Road

Largo, FL 33777

727 395 6000

www.eckerd.com

Wayne Harris, Chairman/CEO

Dave Aston, COO/Exec. VP

Don Gwizdala, Sr. VP Merchandising and Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $90

2002 CE sales in millions: $80

Percentage change: 12.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2,799

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2,687

Eckerd Corp., formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of JCPenney, is headquartered in Clearwater, Fla. Eckerd is one of America's largest retail drug chains with 2,799 pharmacy/sundry stores throughout the Southeast, Sunbelt and Northeast regions of the U.S. Total sales for the company's fiscal year 2004 were $15.1 billion, up from $14.6 billion in fiscal 2003, for a gain of 3.3 percent. Last month Eckerd was sold in almost equal parts to the Canadian drugstore chain The Jean Coutu Group and the U.S. drug chain CVS Corp.

#19 Electronics Boutique

931 S. Matlack St.

West Chester, PA 19382

610 430 8100

www.ebgames.com

James Kim, Chairman

Jeffrey Griffiths, President/CEO

Peter Roithmayr, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,120

2002 CE sales in millions: $1,060

Percentage change: 5.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,150

Stores selling CE, 2002: 855

Founded in 1977, Electronics Boutique is a leading specialty retailer of video game hardware, software, and PC entertainment software and accessories. The company owns and operates some 1,150 stores in the U.S. that average 1,200 square feet in size and are largely located in high traffic areas within regional shopping malls. The company's fiscal year 2004 total sales were $1.6 billion, a 21.3 percent increase over the $1.3 billion garnered during the prior fiscal year. The company is in the midst of a worldwide re-branding effort, with its EB Games unit serving as the "master brand," and expects the effort to be complete in early 2005.

#92 Family Dollar Stores

PO Box 1017 Charlotte

Matthews, NC 28201-1017

704 847 6961

www.familydollar.com

Howard R. Levine, Chairman/CEO

R. David Alexander Jr., President/COO

John Scanlon, Sr. VP Merchandising and Marketing

Rob Bevis, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $49

2002 CE sales in millions: $43

Percentage change: 14.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 5,027

Stores selling CE, 2002: 4,616

As of the fiscal year ended August 2003, this publicly held discount mass merchandiser operated 5,034 stores in 43 states. During the current 2004 fiscal year, the company plans to open approximately 565 new stores while closing and relocating others. Total sales for the fiscal year 2003 were $4.8 billion, an increase of 14.1 percent over the prior fiscal year's sales of $4.2 billion.

#95 Fingerhut Direct Marketing

4400 Baker Road

Minnetonka, MN 55343

952 932 3100

www.fingerhut.com

Brian Smith, President/CEO

John Damrow, VP Merchandising

Tom Bradway, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $39

2002 CE sales in millions: $0

Percentage change: NA

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

When Federated Department Stores failed to achieve the business objectives it envisioned with the 1999 purchase of Fingerhut, it resold the assets in July 2002 to Fingerhut's former CEO and a group of private investors known as The Petters Group. The new company, Fingerhut Direct Marketing, has been rebuilding its brand, customer base and Web site ever since. Sales of consumer electronics, a key product category for the new entity, accounted for an estimated $39 million in revenue in 2003.

#32 Fred Meyer Stores

3800 SE 22nd Ave.

Portland, OR 97202

503 232 8844

www.fredmeyer.com

Darell Webb, President

Travis Smith, VP Home Division

Dennis Stevens, VP Home Division

Dan Duncan, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $454

2002 CE sales in millions: $405

Percentage change: 12.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 133

Stores selling CE, 2002: 133

Part of publicly traded Kroger, Fred Meyer Stores is a major Western food and drug chain that operates 133 large multi-department stores in five Western states. In addition to food and apparel, these stores carry general merchandise that includes off-price home electronics, small appliances and pre-recorded music and video. Estimated retail sales within the consumer electronics segment was $454 million in 2003.

#16 Fry's Electronics

600 E. Brokaw Road

San Jose, CA 95112

408 487 4500

www.frys.com

John Fry, CEO

Randy Fry, President/GM

Kathryn Kolder, Exec. VP

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,622

2002 CE sales in millions: $1,543

Percentage change: 5.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 25

Stores selling CE, 2002: 22

Privately held Fry's operates 25 megastores nationwide in the six Western states of California, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. Founded in 1985, Fry's stores sell, service and support computer hardware and software, electronics components and accessories, audio/video, telecommunications devices, appliances, personal electronics and CD and DVD software, as well as convenience and general merchandise items. Stores range in size from 50,000 feet to 200,000 feet, and each has been given a different store design theme that reflects its particular locale. Total estimated sales for 2003 were $2.1 billion, an increase of 8 percent over the prior year's estimated annual sales of more than $1.9 billion.

#17 GameStop

2250 William D. Tate Ave.

Grapevine, TX, 76051

817 424 2000

www.gamestop.com

Dick Fontaine, Chairman/CEO

Dan DeMatteo, President/COO

David Carlson, Exec. VP/CFO

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,579

2002 CE sales in millions: $1,353

Percentage change: 16.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,498

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,231

GameStop is the largest video game and entertainment software specialty retailer in the U.S. The company operates 1,498 retail stores throughout the 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, primarily under the GameStop brand. Fiscal year 2004 total revenues were $1.6 billion, a 16.7 percent increase over the previous year's sales of $1.4 billion. Bookseller Barnes and Noble owns approximately 65 percent interest in the company.

#13 Gateway

14303 Gateway Place

Poway, CA 92064

858 848 3401

www.gateway.com

Ted Waitt, Chairman

Wayne Inouye, President/CEO

Bob Davidson, Sr. VP U.S. Retail

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,743

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,387

Percentage change: -27.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 190

Stores selling CE, 2002: 272

Until recently, customers could purchase Gateway PCs over the phone, through the company's Web site (gateway.com) or at one of the 190 Gateway Country stores across the U.S. The No. 4 U.S. reseller of PCs reported U.S. consumer revenues for calendar year 2003 of $1.7 billion, representing a 27 percent decline from the calendar year 2002 results of $2.4 billion. In an effort to reverse its sagging fortunes, the company kicked off the new year in 2004 by acquiring the low-cost PC manufacturer eMachines, installed its CEO Wayne Inouye as chief executive, and last month closed all of its retail stores to dramatically reduce costs and ostensibly pave the way for sales of Gateway- branded A/V products at Best Buy and other retail outlets.

#25 Good Guys

1600 Harbour Bay Parkway

Alamida, CA 94502

510 747 6000

www.goodguys.com

Rick Fountain, COO

Cathy Stauffer, President Retail

2003 CE sales in millions: $637

2002 CE sales in millions: $750

Percentage change: -15.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 72

Stores selling CE, 2002: 71

Good Guys, a specialty retailer of higher-end entertainment electronics, operates 72 stores across California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada. Total estimated sales for fiscal 2004 are $637 million, compared to $750 million for fiscal 2003. CompUSA owner Carlos Slim acquired the chain in December 2003 following an unsuccessful bid to buy up Circuit City. Since then, recently named president Cathy Stauffer has presided over Good Guys' transition into PC and IT products as part of her parent company's plan to catch the leading edge of the coming convergence wave. The first prototype convergence unit, replete with an in-store Apple shop, re-opened in Reno, Nev. in March.

#36 H.H. Gregg

4151 E. 96th St.

Indianapolis, IN 46240

317 848 8710

www.hhgregg.com

Jerry Throgmartin, Chairman/CEO

Dennis May, President/COO

Mike Larimer, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $383

2002 CE sales in millions: $378

Percentage change: 1.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 54

Stores selling CE, 2002: 47

Privately held H.H. Gregg was founded in 1955 and operates 54 stores in the five state trading area of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia, where it recently entered the Atlanta market. Its merchandise mix includes video, audio, cellular phones, home office, car A/V, imaging products and major appliances. A former member of the NATM buying group, the company reportedly left the organization in part to avoid territorial conflicts with BrandsMart U.S.A., which also has designs on Atlanta. Total estimated sales for 2003 were $720 million, a 14.3 percent increase from the estimated $630 million in total sales in 2002.

#82 Harmony Computers and Electronics

1801 Flatbush Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11210

718 692 2828

www.shopharmony.com

Nate King, President/CEO

Jeff Kirshblum, VP Purchasing and Marketing, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $66

2002 CE sales in millions: $61

Percentage change: 8.2%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

Privately held Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Harmony has one high-volume retail store and an e-commerce Web site (shopharmony.com ). The company has been in business for 20 years.

#94 Harvey Electronics

205 Chubb Ave

Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

201 842 0078

www.harveyonline.com

Michael Recca, Chairman

Franklin Karp, President/CEO

Michael Beck, VP Operations

Roland Hiemer, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $42

2002 CE sales in millions: $42

Percentage change: 0.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 9

Stores selling CE, 2002: 9

Harvey specializes in super-premium audio, video and home theater electronics products, and provides a full range of white glove custom installation services. A member of the Home Theater Specialists of America buying organization (HTSA), it operates nine boutique stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and also sells direct over its Web site. The public company reported total sales of $42.4 million for fiscal year 2003, an increase of 2.2 percent over the prior fiscal year.

#93 Hastings Entertainment

3601 Plains Blvd.

Amarillo, TX 79120

806 351 2300

www.gohastings.com

John Marmaduke, Chairman/President/CEO

Steve Hicks, VP Products

Allen Smith, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $45

2002 CE sales in millions: $44

Percentage change: 2.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 145

Stores selling CE, 2002: 140

Publicly held Hastings Entertainment is a self-described "multimedia entertainment retailer," combining the sale of books, music, software, periodicals, new and used DVDs, videos and video game hardware and software with the rental of videos, DVDs and video games in a superstore format. The company operates 145 superstores in 20 states, primarily in small- to medium-sized markets in the Midwestern and Western U.S. and typically 20,000 square feet in size. Total revenues for fiscal year 2004 were $508 million, a 2.6 percent increase from $495 million revenues of the prior fiscal year. All rentals and sales of pre-recorded media were extracted from the company's Top 100 CE listing.

#88 Home Depot

2455 Paces Ferry Rd

Atlanta, GA 30339

770 433 8211

www.homedepot.com

Robert L. Nardelli, Chairman/President/CEO

John Costello, Exec. VP Merchandising and Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $55

2002 CE sales in millions: $49

Percentage change: 12.2%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,515

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,370

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, operating 1,515 stores in the U.S. The publicly traded company reported total sales for fiscal 2004 of $64.8 billion, an 11.3 percent increase over the prior fiscal year's net sales of $58.2 billion. Its consumer electronics contribution consists largely of wireless telephone sales, batteries, connectors and other accessories.

#51 Home Shopping Network

1 HSN Dr.

St. Petersburg, FL, 33729

727 872 1000

www.hsn.com

Thomas McInerney, CEO, HSN and Electronic Retailing

Marty Nealon, President HSN USA

Richard Ogawa, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $159

2002 CE sales in millions: $194

Percentage change: -18.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

HSN (Home Shopping Network), a division of publicly held IAC/InterActive, pioneered electronic retailing and has grown into a global multi-channel retailer, with its 24-hour programming reaching more than 143 million households worldwide. That reach is reflected in its calendar year 2003 sales, which grew 9.3 percent domestically to $1.8 billion from $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2002.

#74 Huppins OneCall

421 West Main

Spokane, WA 99201

509 747 2624

www.onecall.com

Murray K. Huppin, President/CEO

Paul Lipton, VP Internet Division

David Kaplan, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $71

2002 CE sales in millions: $65

Percentage change: 9.2%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

Privately held Huppin's Hi-Fi, Photo and Video was established in 1908, and expanded its one-store footprint nationwide with the launch in April 1994 of its OneCall mail order/Internet division, which became one of the industry's first authorized CE e-tailers. Lines include TVs, camcorders, DVD, video, home theater, home and portable audio, and digital video, and the company has established a solid reputation for service and customer commitment. Total estimated sales for 2003 are $71 million, a 9.2 percent increase from the estimated $65 million for 2002.

#79 Innovation Computers

111 S. E. 2nd Street

Miami, FL, 33131

305 379 0900

www.innovationcomputers.com

Ajay Khanna, President/CEO/Chairman

Jeff Kirshblum, VP Purchasing and Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $67

2002 CE sales in millions: $60

Percentage change: 11.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

Miami-based Innovation sold an estimated $67 million in computer-related products to consumers in 2003 through a single store and Web site, although the vast percentage of its business is conducted through the B-to-B channel. The company offers consumers and institutions a wide range of PC hardware and software products that includes desktop computers, notebooks, printers and scanners.

#41 J&R Computer World

23 Park Row

New York, NY 10038

212 238 9000

www.jandr.com

Joe Friedman, CEO

Rachelle Friedman, President

Jack Wahrman, Sr. Merchandising Manager

2003 CE sales in millions: $263

2002 CE sales in millions: $286

Percentage change: -8.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

This privately held New York City institution, founded in 1971, had 2003 estimated consumer electronics revenues of $263 million, which it generated through its catalogs, Web site and single sprawling, block-long megastore in lower Manhattan. Located two blocks from the World Trade Center where many of its customers worked, the company lost significant Wall Street area revenue in the wake of September 11 and has been relying on its Internet operations to help rebuild sales.

#67 JCPenney

6501 Legacy Dr.

Plano, TX 75024

972 431 1000

www.jcpenney.com

Allen Questrom, Chairman/CEO

Vanessa Gaspasna, President

John Kendig, VP Hard Home

Ron Price, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $95

2002 CE sales in millions: $95

Percentage change: 0.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Publicly held J.C. Penney sells consumer electronics chiefly through the JCPenney catalog and via its e-commerce Web site, jcpenney.com. Total revenues for the direct sales division for fiscal year 2004 were $2.699 billion, an increase of 3.3 percent from the prior fiscal year of $2.613 billion.

#44 K-B Toys

100 West St.

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413 496 3000

www.kbtoys.com

Michael Glazer, President/CEO

C.B. Alberts, Sr. VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $218

2002 CE sales in millions: $273

Percentage change: -20.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,135

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,320

Privately held K-B Toys operated 1,135 stores in 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico during 2003 and offered online shopping at kbtoys.com and eToys.com, which it acquired and re-launched in October 2001. Due to severe competition in the 2003 holiday period, ostensibly from Wal-Mart, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2004. K-B plans to close at least 350 stores and recently announced its interest in selling its Internet business.

#87 Ken Crane's Home Entertainment City

4900 W. 147th St.

Hawthorne, CA 90250

310 973 7373

www.kencrane.com

Ken Crane, President

Kam Shafi, Chief Merchandising Exec.

2003 CE sales in millions: $56

2002 CE sales in millions: $54

Percentage change: 3.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 8

Stores selling CE, 2002: 8

Privately held Ken Crane's is an eight-store audio/video chain in Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif., that was founded in 1949. Ken Crane's store locations continue to focus on its core business of high-end big-screen TVs and home theater.

#98 King's Great Buys Plus

5010 Vogel Rd.

Evansville, IN 47715

812 473 5464

www.kingsgreatbuys.com

Terry Oates, President

Robert Vanhouse, Chief Merchandising Executive

Mark Carmack, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $30

2002 CE sales in millions: $18

Percentage change: 66.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 42

Stores selling CE, 2002: 21

Privately held King's operates 42 stores under a variety of trade names in the Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois markets primarily selling consumer electronics, appliances and furniture products. In 2003, it acquired Big Sandy's Superstores and exited the mobile electronics category.

#14 Kmart

3100 W. Big Beaver Road

Troy, MI 48084

248 463 1021

www.kmart.com

Julian Day, President/CEO

Robert Atteberry, VP/General Merchandise Mgr.

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,728

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,215

Percentage change: -22.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,511

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,827

Publicly traded Kmart operated 1,511 stores at the end of its 2003 fiscal year and also sold through its e-commerce Web site, kmart.com. The full line discounter sells low-end computer, audio, video and communications products and accessories in its CE departments. In January 2002, Kmart filed for bankruptcy and later completed its "fast-track" reorganization to emerge from Chapter 11 protection on May 1, 2003 with a new management team, better inventory controls and housekeeping, and one-third fewer stores, but still without any clearly defined strategy for differentiating itself from discount rivals Wal-Mart and Target. The latest blow came with the conviction of chief Kmart licensor Martha Stewart, although the impact of her legal woes on Kmart sales appears to be muted thus far.

#63 La Curacao

1605 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite #600

Los Angeles, CA 90015

213 386 4412

www.lacuracao.com

Ron Azarkman, President/CEO

Jerry Azarkman, Exec. VP Marketing

Lee Barak, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $109

2002 CE sales in millions: $95

Percentage change: 14.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 4

Stores selling CE, 2002: 3

Privately held La Curacao is among the largest U.S. department stores that caters specifically to the Hispanic market. It opened its fourth store in 2003, which like its predecessors serves Hispanic communities within the greater Los Angeles area.

#100 Longs Drug Stores

141 N. Civic Drive

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

925 937 1170

www.longs.com

Warren S Bryant, CEO/Chairman

Joanne Windover, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $27

2002 CE sales in millions: $25

Percentage change: 8.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 400

Stores selling CE, 2002: 400

Founded in 1938, publicly held Longs Drug Stores had 400 stores in 2003 that carried consumer electronics. The company has over 470 stores in total in California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Oregon. Total 2003 revenues were $4.5 billion, up 2.2 percent from prior year sales of $4.4 billion.

#91 Lowe's

1605 Curtis Bridge Rd

Wilkesboro, NC 28697

336 658 4000

www.lowes.com

Robert Tillman, Chairman/CEO

Robert Niblock, President

Dale Pond, Sr. Exec. VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $50

2002 CE sales in millions: $42

Percentage change: 19.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 952

Stores selling CE, 2002: 854

The 57-year old publicly traded chain is the world's second largest home improvement retailer behind The Home Depot, but it's working hard to narrow the gap. The company operated 952 stores in fiscal 2004, up from 854 stores in 2003, and grew its revenues 18.1 percent to $30.8 billion last year, compared to 2002 revenues of $26.1 billion. Its CE involvement is chiefly in telephones, connectors, cables and other accessories, but it is its burgeoning major appliance business that has Sears and Home Depot on red alert.

#64 Magnolia Audio Video

6305 S. 231st Street

Kent, WA 98032

253 372 4434

www.magnoliahifi.com

Jim Tweten, President/CEO

Al Conrad, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $103

2002 CE sales in millions: $100

Percentage change: 3.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 22

Stores selling CE, 2002: 19

Founded as Magnolia Hi-Fi in 1954 and now a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Inc., it operates 22 stores in Washington, Oregon and California. A high-end consumer electronics retailer, the company specializes in audio, video, home theater, custom sales and installation, car audio sales and installation, and communication products. The company opened three stores in Southern California in 2003, and will begin testing a new "mini-Magnolia" format within three Best Buy stores going forward.

#80 Marine Corps Exchange

3044 Catlin Avenue

Quantico, VA 22134

703 784 9517

www.usmc-mccs.org

Michael Downs, Director

Cindy Whitman-Lacy, Head of Retail

Nancy Blake, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $67

2002 CE sales in millions: $73

Percentage change: -8.2%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 15

Stores selling CE, 2002: 15

The Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) operates 15 main stores and multiple associated facilities. MCX also sells through its catalog and over its extensive e-commerce Web sites, which include 17 base portal sites and four MCX sites. Customers of this retail service branch include active duty military, National Guard members, reservists, retirees and their families.

#53 May Department Stores

611 Olive Street

St. Louis, MO 63101

314-342-6300

www.mayco.com

Gene Kahn, Chairman/CEO

John Dunham, President

Steve Nelson, Sr. VP, Stores and Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $155

2002 CE sales in millions: $135

Percentage change: 14.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 444

Stores selling CE, 2002: 443

Publicly held May Department Stores Co. operates a chain of 444 well-branded regional department stores under the trade names of Lord & Taylor, Famous-Barr, Filene's, Foley's, Hecht's, Kaufmann's, L.S. Ayres, Meier & Frank, Robinsons-May, Strawbridge's, and The Jones Store, as well as a bridal group of stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Total store sales for the company in fiscal year 2004 were $13.3 billion, a decline of 1.1 percent from $13.5 billion during the prior year. The company opened 10 new department stores in 2003 and plans to open 9 new department stores in 2004, and has begun to re-enter the CE category with personal audio and other portable electronics.

#20 Micro Center

4119 Leap Road

Hilliard, OH 43026

614 850 3000

www.microcenter.com

Richard Mershad, President/CEO

Kevin Jones, VP Merchandising

Sean Beaupre, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $859

2002 CE sales in millions: $795

Percentage change: 8.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 20

Stores selling CE, 2002: 20

This privately held computer specialty retailer, founded in 1979, operates 20 stores in over a dozen U.S. markets coast to coast, plus an e-tail site, Micro Center Online. Its parent company is Micro Electronics, a privately held billion-dollar technology firm. Stores utilize a "dedicated departmental" approach, with layouts, products, departments and staff organized along twelve separate categories based on the personal computer industry and the way people shop for technology products. Total estimated sales for 2003 are $859 million, an 8.1 percent increase from the estimated $795 million for 2002.

#52 Musicland Stores

10400 Yellow Circle Drive

Minnentonka, MN 55343

952 931 8800

www.musicland.com

Eric Wiesman, CEO

Mike Madden, President/COO

Lew Garrette, VP Purchasing

Scott Burtness, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $156

2002 CE sales in millions: $187

Percentage change: -16.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 950

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,195

Musicland was founded in 1956 and was acquired by Best Buy in 2001. Within two years, Best Buy put the division up for sale as a result of poor CD sales, slow mall traffic and poor results from its attempt to re-merchandise the stores with more CE hardware. The private equity group Sun Capital Partners assumed ownership of the operation in June 2003. Musicland continues to operate in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands primarily under the trade names Sam Goody, Suncoast Motion Picture Company and Media Play. By the end of 2003, the company had been scaled back to 950 stores from about 1,200 units in the prior year.

#97 MyerEmco AudioVideo

209 Edison Park Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

301 921 0700

www.myeremco.com

Edward Myer, Chairman

Jon Myer, President/CEO

Gary Yacoubian, VP Sales

David Glassman, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $31

2002 CE sales in millions: $28

Percentage change: 10.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 9

Stores selling CE, 2002: 9

Privately held MyerEmco was founded in 1955. This high end audio/video and home theater retailer, a member of the Progressive Retailers Organization, or PRO Group, continues to increase its capabilities in custom home installation services, including home automation systems for its customers. The company has nine stores in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is expected to open a 10th unit this year.

#71 Navy Exchange Service Command

3280 Virginia Beach Blvd.

Virginia Beach, VA 23452

757 463 6200

www.navy-nex.com

Rear Admiral Bill Maguire, Commander/CEO

Bob McGinty, Chief Merchandising Officer

Brian Miller, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $90

2002 CE sales in millions: $82

Percentage change: 9.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 99

Stores selling CE, 2002: 100

Sales and store count for Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) represent global operations. Products carried include audio/video, personal computers (including hardware, peripherals, software and accessories), fax machines, home phones and answering devices. NEXCOM ended its year with 99 Navy Exchange Stores (NEX) worldwide, with slightly more than one-half of these located within the U.S.

#55 Nebraska Furniture Mart

700 S. 72nd St.

Omaha, NE 68114

402 397 6100

www.nfm.com

Irv Blumkin, Chairman

Ron Blumkin, President/COO

Jay Buchanan, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $128

2002 CE sales in millions: $82

Percentage change: 56.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

This legendary home furnishings retailer, founded by the Blumkin family and owned by investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway retail group, is a member of the NATM Buying Corp. Nebraska Furniture Mart's original 430,000-square-foot facility, located outside Omaha, Neb., offers consumers furniture, floor coverings and major appliances in addition to consumer electronics, and is touted as "America's largest volume home furnishings store." A second 450,000-square-foot retail facility was opened near Kansas City in August 2003 and is meeting and/or exceeding expectations, the company said.

#10 Office Depot

2200 Old Germantown Road

Delray Beach, FL 33445

561 438 4800

www.officedepot.com

Bruce Nelson, Chairman/CEO

Jerry Colley, President, North American Stores

Joslyn Carter-Miller, Exec. VP Merchandising and Marketing

John Lostroscio, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $2,599

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,670

Percentage change: -2.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 900

Stores selling CE, 2002: 867

At the end of 2003, publicly traded Office Depot had 900 superstores throughout the U.S. and Canada, up from the 867 in operation in 2002. Total North American retail division sales for 2003 were $5.7 billion, representing a 3 percent decline from the prior year's $5.8 billion in total revenue.

#15 OfficeMax

3605 Warrensville Center Road

Shaker Heights, OH 44122

216 471 6900

www.officemax.com

Chris Miliken, Chairman/CEO

Gary Paterson, Retail Office Max President

Dirk Kettlewell Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,672

2002 CE sales in millions: $1,618

Percentage change: 3.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 938

Stores selling CE, 2002: 939

Publicly traded Boise Cascade completed its acquisition of OfficeMax in December 2003. A new Boise Office Solutions division was formed to operate the chain, which still maintains its retail OfficeMax headquarters outside Cleveland. OfficeMax ended 2003 with 943 stores in the U.S. in comparison to 939 domestic stores at the end of 2002.

#33 P.C. Richard & Son

150 Price Pkwy

Farmingdale, NY 11735

631 843 4300

www.pcrichard.com

Alfred Richard, Chairman

Gary H. Richard, President/CEO

Gregg Richard, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $444

2002 CE sales in millions: $437

Percentage change: 1.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 46

Stores selling CE, 2002: 44

This privately held, family-run electronics, major appliances and computer retailer began life as a Brooklyn hardware store in 1909 and now operates its signature red and white superstores throughout metropolitan New York, including parts of New Jersey and Long Island. The company has increased its store count to 47 stores from 44 units in 2002 and plans to add two additional Manhattan locations this year. Half of the store base also has mobile audio and video installation centers.

#90 Pacific Sales Kitchen & Bath Centers

24120 Garnier St.

Torrance, CA 90505

310-784-6100

www.pacificsales.com

Gerald Turpanjian, President

John Zorich, Chief of Merchandising

Dave Sheek, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $52

2002 CE sales in millions: $46

Percentage change: 13.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 5

Stores selling CE, 2002: 5

Privately held Pacific Sales focuses primarily on major appliances in the Southern California market. Five of its thirteen big box stores also carry consumer electronics, with an emphasis on home theater products.

#61 PC Club

18537 E. Gale Ave.

City of Industry, CA 91748

626 839 8080

www.pcclub.com

Jackson Lan, Chairman/President/CEO

Tammy Chan, Director of Marketing and Merchandising

Juliana Chen, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $110

2002 CE sales in millions: $101

Percentage change: 8.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 55

Stores selling CE, 2002: 44

Privately held PC Club opened its first store in 1992, and today has 55 retail locations in the 11 West and Mid-Western states of California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, Utah and New Mexico. It sells a wide assortment of computers and computer-related products, ranging from accessories and enterprise servers to complete IT solutions. It credits its success to seven-day-a-week service, local tech support, competitive prices and a knowledgeable and customer-friendly staff.

#89 PC Connection

730 Milford Road

Merrimack, NH 03054

603 683 2181

www.pcconnection.com

Patricia Gallup, Chairman/CEO

Robert Wilkins, Exec. VP

2003 CE sales in millions: $53

2002 CE sales in millions: $48

Percentage change: 10.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Publicly held PC Connection is a direct marketer of computer systems and peripherals sold through catalogs, telemarketing and its e-commerce Web site. Last year's sales were $1.3 billion, an increase of 10.2 percent from 2002 sales of $1.2 billion. Total revenues include consumer sales as well as the small office and home office market and corporate sales. The Top 100 figures are estimates for consumer sales.

#49 PC Mall

2555 West 190th St

Torrance, CA 90504

310 354 5600

www.pcmall.com

Frank Khulusi, Chairman/President/CEO

Dan Devries,Exec. VP Marketing

Sean Mollet, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $195

2002 CE sales in millions: $173

Percentage change: 12.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2

Business-to-business sales continue to outpace consumer sales at publicly held PC Mall, whose revenues are consolidated to include revenue from its two wholly owned subsidiaries, eCost.com and eLinux. Its core business is represented primarily by the PC Mall and MacMall trade names. Total sales in 2003 were $976 million, a 13.1 percent increase over prior year sales of $863 million.

#83 PC Warehouse

174 Route 17 North

Rochelle Park, NJ 07662

201 587 9600

www.pcwarehouse.com

Robin Lu, President

Reza Shafei, VP Merchandising

2003 CE sales in millions: $62

2002 CE sales in millions: $79

Percentage change: -21.5%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 95

Stores selling CE, 2002: 98

Privately held PC Warehouse boasts 95 retail locations that are both company-owned and franchised, as well as mail order business and e-commerce operations. The operation primarily services small- to medium-sized business, and generated estimated total revenue of $310 million in 2003, a decline of 27.4 percent from total estimated revenue in 2002.

#34 QVC

1200 Wilson Dr., Studio Park

West Chester, PA 19380

484 701 1000

www.qvc.com

Doug Briggs, President/CEO

Darlene Daggett, President, U.S. Commerce

Chris Lewis, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $404

2002 CE sales in millions: $463

Percentage change: -12.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1

QVC has emerged as one of the world's largest interactive commerce companies, with TV direct merchandising and e-commerce service in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Japan. In September 2003, Liberty Media completed its acquisition of QVC from a prior partial ownership position. Total QVC U.S. revenue in 2003 was $3.8 billion, representing a gain of 3.8 percent over 2002 sales of $3.7 billion.

#58 R. C. Willey Home Furnishings

2301 S. 300 W.

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

801 461 3900

www.rcwilley.com

William H. Child, Chairman

Scott Hymas, CEO

Jeff Child, President

Lorne Schmunk, VP Merchandising

John Leavitt, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $126

2002 CE sales in millions: $127

Percentage change: -0.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 9

Stores selling CE, 2002: 8

Founded in 1932 by Rufus Call Willey, who opened his first store in 1949, R.C. Willey is currently owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway investment group. This major appliances, consumer electronics, furniture and flooring chain operates nine stores (average size: 100,000 square feet) and two budget centers in Utah, Idaho and Nevada. Its newest superstore — and second Las Vegas area unit — opened in Summerlin, Nev., in May 2003, and a third Nevada location in Reno is slated to open in 2005.

#6 RadioShack

100 Throckmorton, Suite 1800

Forth Worth, TX 76102

817 415 3011

www.radioshack.com

Leonard Roberts, Chairman/CEO

David Edmondson, President/COO

Richard Borinstein, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $4,649

2002 CE sales in millions: $4,577

Percentage change: 1.6%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 7,042

Stores selling CE, 2002: 7,213

RadioShack is one of the nation's largest consumer electronics retailers, and offers both on- and off-line shopping capabilities through its stores, catalogs and e-commerce Web site. With more than 7,000 company-owned and franchised dealers, total 2003 store sales were $4.7 billion, compared to total sales of $4.6 billion the previous year, an increase of 1.6 percent. The company is currently remerchandising its assortment with home entertainment products by Samsung, Sony, Onkyo and Panasonic; has swapped out DirecTV for DISH satellite sales; is building its digital camera offering; is re-fixturing its stores; and is enjoying a robust business in cellphone subscriptions through its partnerships with Verizon and Sprint.

#72 RCS Computer Experience

575 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

212 949 6935

www.rcsnet.com

Charles Tebele, Chairman/President/CEO

Anees Kahn, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $87

2002 CE sales in millions: $96

Percentage change: -9.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1

Stores selling CE, 2002: 3

Founded in 1990, RCS Computer Experience maintains one high profile showroom and an e-commerce site, rscnet.com. Located in Midtown Manhattan at the tony intersection of Madison Ave. and E. 56th St., RCS caters to high-end consumers and corporate accounts. Product categories include computers, handhelds, peripherals; digital cameras, personal audio, flat panel TVs, computer and entertainment software, and accessories. Revenue figures represent for total sales.

#37 Rex Stores

2875 Needmore Road

Dayton, OH 45414

937 276 3931

www.rexstores.com

Stuart Rose, Chairman/CEO

Keith Magby, VP Operations

2003 CE sales in millions: $347

2002 CE sales in millions: $348

Percentage change: -0.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 248

Stores selling CE, 2002: 255

Publicly traded Rex Stores, a retailer of consumer electronic products and appliances, operates 248 locations in 37 states. The units average slightly over 11,000 square feet in size and are located primarily in small- to medium-size markets. Total sales in fiscal 2004 were $417 million, representing a decrease of 2.8 percent from the $429 million reported for the prior fiscal year.

#76 Rite Aid

30 Hunter Lane

Camp Hill, PA 17011

717 761 2633

www.riteaid.com

Robert Miller, Chairman

Mary Sammons, President/CEO

Bill Renz, VP Merchandising

Mark Coleman, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $70

2002 CE sales in millions: $70

Percentage change: 0.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 3,382

Stores selling CE, 2002: 3,404

Publicly traded drug-store chain Rite Aid operated 3,382 stores at the end of fiscal year 2004, compared to 3,404 stores during the prior year. Stores carry a limited variety of consumer electronics products including promotionally-priced audio/video, blank and pre-recorded media, and accessories. Total sales in fiscal 2004 were $16.5 billion, representing an increase of 5 percent, compared to $15.7 billion sales in the prior year.

#29 Ritz Camera Centers

6711 Ritz Way

Beltsville, MD 20705

301 419 0000

www.ritzcamera.com

David Ritz, Chairman/CEO

David Dimont, VP

2003 CE sales in millions: $501

2002 CE sales in millions: $456

Percentage change: 9.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,310

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,305

Privately held Ritz Camera operates approximately 1,300 stores in the U.S., and following the October 2001 acquisition of archrival Wolf Camera, became the No. 1 photo retailer in the country with a presence in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Estimated consumer electronics sales in 2003 were $501 million, representing a 9.9 percent increase from estimated sales of $456 million in 2002. The specialty chain is anchored by an aggressive digital printing strategy which combines self-service kiosks, digital minilabs and Internet print services in an effort to corral digital camera purchasers back in-store to make prints from their digital images. The company has grown largely on the back of its high-margin photofinishing business and expanded its national footprint.

#81 Ritz Interactive

2010 Main Street, Ste. 400

Irvine, CA 92614

949-442-0202

www.ritzinteractive.com

David Ritz, Chairman

Fred Lerner, President/CEO

Andre Brysha, VP Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $66

2002 CE sales in millions: $56

Percentage change: 17.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Privately held Ritz Interactive is a separate entity from Ritz Camera, which was spun off as an e-commerce arm in 1999. The privately held e-commerce company focuses on the photo-specialty and marine-specialty markets. E-tail operations include the flagship RitzCamera.com as well as former foes PhotoAlley.com and CameraWorld.com. It launched the full-line CE site RitzElectronics.com in 2002. Digital camera sales helped buoy Interactive through the dot-com implosion of 2000, which claimed the lives of many online competitors.

#9 Sam's Club

608 S.W. Eighth St.

Bentonville, AK 72716

479 277 7000

www.samsclub.com

Kevin Turner, President/CEO

Doug McMillan, Exec. VP Merchandising

Mike Bratcher, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $2,763

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,536

Percentage change: 9.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 538

Stores selling CE, 2002: 525

A division of publicly traded Wal-Mart, Sam's Club is the No. 2 ranked members-only warehouse club, behind Costco and ahead of BJ's. In fiscal year 2004, the company operated 538 stores and reported total sales of $34.5 billion, representing an 8.9 percent increase over the previous fiscal year sales of $31.7 billion.

#11 Sears

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

847 286 2400

www.sears.com

Alan J Lacy, Chairman/President/CEO

Dan Laughlin, Sr. VP/General Merchandise Manager CE

John Schlenner, Divisional Merchandise Manager

2003 CE sales in millions: $2,300

2002 CE sales in millions: $2,500

Percentage change: -8.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,663

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,632

Publicly traded Sears had 871 full-line stores and 1,105 specialty stores in the U.S. at the end of 2003 that carried consumer electronics. For 2003, total merchandise sales and services hit $36.4 billion, compared to $35.7 billion in 2002, an increase of 1.9 percent. Sears saw significant repositioning and restructuring last year as it sold-off its credit and finance division and its National Tire & Battery business, and attempted to turn around monthly comp sale declines in its CE department by adding 22 SKUs of flat panel TVs, winning the exclusive launch of Cablevision's Voom HD satellite service and introducing DVD movies and exclusive CE products like a miniature Sanyo camcorder and still camera and a combo DVD recorder and VCR from Sansui. The revamp carries into 2004 with a forthcoming re-assortment and department retrofit.

#54 Sharper Image

650 Davis St.

San Francisco, CA 94111

415 445 6000

www.sharperimage.com

Richard Thalheimer, Chairman/CEO

Tracy Wan, President/COO

Bill Feroe, Sr. VP Merchandising

Bob Pintane, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $130

2002 CE sales in millions: $105

Percentage change: 23.8%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 145

Stores selling CE, 2002: 127

Sharper Image is an international specialty retailer of unique and innovative personal electronics and gift products. A significant and growing proportion of sales are of proprietary products created by the company's product development group, Sharper Image Design. The company's principal selling channels include 149 Sharper Image specialty stores throughout the United States; the Sharper Image monthly catalog with annual circulation in excess of 85 million; and its primary Web site, sharperimage.com. The company also sells its products through its own online auction Web site and an online outlet store to help manage refurbished and closeout inventory. The company also has business-to-business sales teams for marketing its exclusive and proprietary products for corporate incentive and reward programs and for wholesale to selected U.S. and international retailers. Total revenues for fiscal 2003 were $648 million, a 26 percent increase from the prior fiscal year's $514 million.

#40 ShopKo

700 Pilgrim Way

Green Bay, WI 54304

920 497 2211

www.shopko.com

Jack Eugstar, Chairman

Sam Duncan, President/CEO

Doug Wurl, Sr. VP Merchandising

Steve Boyea, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $263

2002 CE sales in millions: $263

Percentage change: 0.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 359

Stores selling CE, 2002: 364

Publicly traded ShopKo operated 359 stores at the end of its fiscal year 2004. This store base includes 141 specialty discount stores operating under the ShopKo trade name in mid-sized and larger cities, and 218 Pamida discount stores located in smaller, rural communities. ShopKo maintains a footprint in 23 states, primarily in the Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Consolidated fiscal year 2004 retail sales were $3.3 billion, compared to $3.2 billion for the previous year, a decline of 1.7 percent.

#99 Sight 'n Sound Appliance Centers

501 N. Ann Arbor, Suite A

Oklahoma City, OK 73128

405 942 0311

www.shopaarons.com

Kevin Leary, Director of Operations

2003 CE sales in millions: $29

2002 CE sales in millions: $44

Percentage change: -34.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 11

Stores selling CE, 2002: 25

Sight 'n Sound is a subsidiary of the public held company Aaron Rents. The former NATM buying group dealer was founded over 30 years ago, and credited its past success to founder Darrell Chabino's selection of overlooked secondary markets and his pioneering emphasis on extended warranty sales, private label credit cards and class B credit financing within the regional electronics and appliance channel. The company currently operates 11 stores in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, down from 25 at the time of its 2002 acquisition.

#7 Staples

500 Staples Dr.

Framingham, MA 01702

508 253 5000

www.staples.com

Thomas Stemberg, Chairman

Ronald Sargent, President/CEO

Dave Perron, Exec. Sr. VP Merchandising and Supply Chain Management

Peter Scala, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $4,022

2002 CE sales in millions: $3,676

Percentage change: 9.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,358

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,291

Publicly traded Staples operates worldwide with more than 1,600 office superstores in the U.S. Canada and Europe. Founded in 1986, Staples is a top retailer of office supplies, business services, furniture and electronics technology products to consumers and businesses. Total revenues for fiscal year 2004 for its North American retail and delivery unit were $11.6 billion, up 9.7 percent from the prior fiscal year's $10.6 billion tally.

#5 Target

1000 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, MN 55403

612 304 6073

www.target.com

Bob Ulrich, Chairman/CEO

Gregg Steinhafel, President, Target Stores

Steve Eastman, VP, Merchandising

Bob Guelich, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $4,962

2002 CE sales in millions: $4,799

Percentage change: 3.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 1,225

Stores selling CE, 2002: 1,147

Target Stores, the flagship discount division of publicly traded Target Corp., operates 1,225 big box stores. The parent company also operates 266 Mervyn's midline stores and 62 Marshall Field's department stores, and has expressed an interest in divesting itself of both. CE figures are for the Target stores only, which enjoyed total sales in fiscal year 2004 of $41.4 billion, an increase of 12 percent from the previous year's $36.9 billion bounty. The CE departments reflect the company's designer chic ethos by carrying branded assortments under the Disney and Eddie Bauer brands, along with a proprietary line of female-directed small electronics by Sony-dubbed Liv.

#86 Tower Records/MTS

2500 Del Monte St.

Sacramento, CA 95691

916 373 2500

www.towerrecords.com

Russell Solomon, Chairman

Allen Rodriguez, President/CEO

DeVaughn Searson, Exec. VP

Kevin Lenic, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $56

2002 CE sales in millions: $61

Percentage change: -8.2%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 96

Stores selling CE, 2002: 103

Privately held MTS of Sacramento, Calif., is the parent of Tower Records, one of the largest retailers of pre-recorded music in the U.S. The company operated approximately 96 Tower Records stores domestically in 2003, down from 103 units in 2002. Ailing from the music industry's dramatic downturn in CD sales, MTS began an unsuccessful search for merger or acquisition partners in May 2003, which ultimately led to its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2004. The company emerged from Chapter 11 in March with the founding family only retaining 15 percent of the business.

#18 Toys 'R' Us

1 Geoffrey Way

Wayne, NJ 07470

201 262 7800

www.toysrus.com

John Eyler, Chairman/President/CEO

Jim Feldt, Exec. VP Merchandising and Marketing

2003 CE sales in millions: $1,165

2002 CE sales in millions: $1,206

Percentage change: -3.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 681

Stores selling CE, 2002: 681

The publicly held category killer operates separate divisions of Toys 'R' Us in the U.S. and internationally, plus the Babies "R" Us apparel and accessories chain. Domestically, it operates 681 toy stores, sells over its Web site and operates three co-branded online stores on the Amazon.com platform. Total sales in the U.S for Toys 'R' Us in fiscal 2004 were $6.5 billion, compared to the previous year sales of $6.8 billion, a 4.1 percent decline. During 2003, the company announced its intent to shut its freestanding Kids "R" Us and Imaginarium stores. Office Depot has acquired 124 of the former Kids "R" Us store sites, which represents the majority of real estate, for its own expansion.

#60 Trans World Entertainment

38 Corporate Circle

Albany, NY 12203

518 452 1242

www.fye.com

Robert Higgins, Chairman/CEO

Fred Fox, Exec. VP, Merchandising and Marketing

Mark Berrada, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $113

2002 CE sales in millions: $103

Percentage change: 9.7%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 881

Stores selling CE, 2002: 855

Publicly traded Trans World Entertainment is a specialty music and video retailer operating 881 stores across the U.S., the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It also maintains a retail Web site. Its stores are divided into two categories: mall-based and freestanding. Its national mall-based portfolio is now united under the brand name FYE (For Your Entertainment), while freestanding stores include Coconuts, Strawberries, Spec's, Planet Music and the just-added Wherehouse Music, which it acquired with the 2003 purchase of Wherehouse Entertainment and CD World. Sales in fiscal year 2004 were $1.3 billion, a 3.8 percent increase from the prior year's $1.3 billion.

#21 Tweeter Home Entertainment Group

10 Pequot Way

Canton, MA 02021

781 830 3000

www.tweeter.com

Sandy Bloomberg, Chairman

Jeffrey Stone, President/CEO

Philo Pappas, Sr. VP/Chief Merchandising Officer, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $792

2002 CE sales in millions: $794

Percentage change: -0.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 174

Stores selling CE, 2002: 171

Publicly traded Tweeter Home Entertainment Group is a specialty retailer of mid-to high-end audio, mobile audio, wireless and video consumer electronics products and custom installation service. The company currently operates 174 stores under the Tweeter, Hi-Fi Buys, Sound Advice, Bang & Olufsen, Electronic Interior, Showcase Home Entertainment and Hillcrest High Fidelity retail trade names. Fiscal year 2003 total corporate sales were $787 million compared to the prior calendar year sales of $796 million, a decline of 1.1 percent. The company is currently revamping its business model to improve logistics, boost profitability and prepare it for what it anticipates will be the coming convergence of A/V and IT products.

#24 Ultimate Electronics

321 W. 84th Ave. Ste A

Thornton, CO 80260

303 412 2500

www.ultimateelectronics.com

Bill Pearse, Chairman

Dave Workman, President/CEO

Jim Pearse, Sr. VP Marketing and Merchandising

Steve Wood, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $712

2002 CE sales in millions: $704

Percentage change: 1.1%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 65

Stores selling CE, 2002: 58

Publicly held Ultimate Electronics is a leading specialty retailer of home entertainment and consumer electronics products with retail stores in 14 Western and Midwest states. The company has 65 stores in total that operate under the trade names Ultimate Electronics and SoundTrack. Sales in fiscal year 2004 were $712 million, a 1.1 percent increase from the prior year of $704 million. Under the management of recently named CEO and company veteran Dave Workman, the company is attempting to re-establish its market position with shoppers and regain the sales momentum lost last year due to problems with a new MIS, misdirected advertising and a challenging entry into the new Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Turnaround measures include extending its credit facility from $80 million to $100 million, with an option to increase the amount to $125 million; the introduction of DVD software; and the addition of turnaround specialist Peter Hanelt to assist in returning the company to profitability.

#56 ValueVision/ShopNBC

6740 Shady Oak Rd.

Eden Prairie, MN 55344

952 943 6000

www.shopnbc.com

Will Lansing, President

Richard Barnes, COO

Brenda Bohler, Sr. VP Merchandising

Tom Bergen, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $98

2002 CE sales in millions: $97

Percentage change: 1.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

ShopNBC is the third largest home shopping network in the U.S. and the flagship media property of ValueVison. GE Equity and its NBC subsidiary own approximately 40 percent of ValueVision, which reported consolidated total sales of $617 million in its 2004 fiscal year, representing an 11.2 percent increase over the prior year's $555 million.

#68 Video Only

500 Strander Blvd.

Seattle, WA 98188

206 444 1655

www.videoonly.com

Peter Edwards, President

James Lothian, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $95

2002 CE sales in millions: $95

Percentage change: 0.0%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 15

Stores selling CE, 2002: 14

Established in 1983, privately held Video Only is one of the largest independent consumer electronics dealers in the Pacific Northwest, with 14 stores and some 200 employees in Washington, Oregon and Northern California. A member of the NATM Buying Corp., the company's product mix includes a broad selection of better TV, video and audio goods.

#42 Walgreens

200 Wilmot Road

Deerfield, IL 60015

847 914 2500

www.walgreens.com

David Bernauer, Chairman/CEO

Jeffery Rein, President

Gary Platek, Divisional Merchandising Manager

Dan Potts, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $250

2002 CE sales in millions: $191

Percentage change: 30.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 4,420

Stores selling CE, 2002: 3,950

Publicly traded No. 1 national drug store chain Walgreens operated 4,420 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico at the end of its 2003 fiscal year. Total sales for fiscal year 2003 were $32.5 billion, compared to fiscal year 2002 sales of $28.7 billion, an increase of 13.3 percent. The company plans new store expansions throughout fiscal 2004 with a concentration in California, the Carolinas, Florida, Texas and Washington.

#2 Wal-Mart

702 SW Eighth St.

Bentonville, AK 72716

479 273 4000

www.wal-martstores.com

Rob Walton, Chairman

Lee Scott, President/CEO

Claire Watts, Exec. VP General Merchandise

Gary Severson, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $15,680

2002 CE sales in millions: $14,141

Percentage change: 10.9%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2,949

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2,826

The world's largest retailer, publicly traded Wal-Mart operated 2,949 stores and super centers in the United States in fiscal 2004. Sales and store count are for U.S. stores only and exclude Sam's Club locations. The company also operates an e-commerce Web site. U.S. total sales in fiscal year 2004 were $174.2 billion, a 10.9 percent increase over the prior fiscal year's sales of $157.1 billion. Although the company claims it has no plans to physically expand its CE departments, Wal-Mart is developing its electronics assortment with increasingly higher-technology products, including a forthcoming line of DLP TVs and an expanded selection of LCD and plasma flat panel displays.

#35 Wireless Retail

8800 E. Chaparral Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

480 346 4400

www.wirelessretailinc.com

Daniel McMahan, President/CEO

Chris Cagle, VP Consumer Direct Marketing

Scott Levinson, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $400

2002 CE sales in millions: $314

Percentage change: 27.4%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 2,320

Stores selling CE, 2002: 2,515

The privately held Wireless Retail is a kiosk-based wireless phone, broadband, satellite TV and satellite radio chain that sells those services through more than 2,300 staffed booths that can be found in Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack, Blockbuster, Kmart and Menards stores and shopping malls. Revenue for 2003 increased 27 percent from 2002 to $400 million. Besides kiosks, Wireless Retail also maintains in-store CE shops in BJ's Wholesale Club that sell satellite, broadband and mobile phone services. To accommodate the company's rapid growth, it opened a new national distribution center in Southaven, Miss., in January 2004. The 175,000 square-foot center provides national direct-to-store fulfillment, direct-to-consumer fulfillment, and fulfillment of non-inventory components to its 2,500 plus locations.

#78 Zones, Inc.

1102 15th SW, Suite 102

Auburn, WA 98001

253 205 3000

www.zones.com

Firoz Lalji

Chairman, President/CEO

Scott Koerner, Exec. VP/COO

Jeff Hansen, VP Merchandising

Dan Flores, Chief CE Buyer

2003 CE sales in millions: $69

2002 CE sales in millions: $62

Percentage change: 11.3%

Stores selling CE, 2003: 0

Stores selling CE, 2002: 0

Zones, Inc. is a publicly traded, direct reseller of brand name computer products and services to small- to medium-sized businesses and large enterprise accounts. The company continues to shift its focus away from consumer sales in favor of enterprises, government and education customers. Zones currently offers over 150,000 products from more than 2,000 vendors, and sells these products through outbound and inbound call center account executives, specialty print and e-catalogs, and the Internet. Total revenue in 2003 was $461 million, an increase of 11.1 percent from 2002 sales of $415 million.