Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America

How small, one-of-a-kind businesses can break through among giants.

Megachains like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Home Depot, and the Gap attract Americans to thousands of outlets by offering a large selection of goods and services. But this doesn't mean that independent stores can't compete with the big guys — and win.

Retail expert George Whalin identifies and explores twenty-five highly popular and profitable independent stores from around the country. Unlike the mom-and-pops of yesteryear, these businesses embrace technology and innovation, generate word of mouth, and turn their size into an advantage. They include:

• ABC Carpet and Home in New York City
• Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon
• The Junkman's Daughter in Atlanta
• Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield, Ohio

Readers will be inspired by how these independent stores are thriving and take away lessons they can apply to their own businesses.

"George Whalin's passion for retailing shines through on every page of this terrific book as he takes readers on a magical tour of the 25 greatest independent retailers in America. If you're in retail, Retail Superstars is must reading. If you're not, you're going to love the ride." Bo Burlingham, Editor-at-Large, Inc. magazine

"What can I say? I simply love Retail Superstars! While it is an incredible collection of great stories of wildly successful independent retailers, the truth is that a chain-store CEO or Regional Director, or a Training or Accounting Department boss, can learn invaluable lessons from these pages. Bravo to George Whalin for a superb job!" Tom Peters

"Independents do it better. George likes Retail Mavericks, the places where the visionaries are still at the wheel. Great stories." Paco Underhill

"In his latest book, Retail Superstars, George Whalin captures the essence of what it takes to be a successful independent retailer today. With a critical look at 25 of his favorite independent stores, Whalin uses his strong knowledge of the retail industry to highlight those qualities which make these businesses so successful. He not only proves independent retailers can succeed in the highly competitive retail industry, but explains just what sets apart the best retailers from the rest." David F. Vite, President & CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Retail expert Whalin identifies and explores 25 highly popular and profitable independent stores from around the country, offering lessons that store owners can apply to their own businesses. 25 photos throughout.

"I simply love Retail Superstars! While it is an incredible collection of great stories of wildly successful independent retailers, the truth is that a chain-store CEO or a regional director, or a training or accounting department boss, can learn invaluable lessons from these pages. Bravo to George Whalin for a superb job!"

-Tom Peters, business guru and bestselling author

"Most business books are filled with tales of extraordinary people overcoming incredible odds to do world-changing things. That's off-putting and not particularly realistic for the rest of us. The cure is right here--a book filled with ordinary people obsessed with making something better, something remarkable, something that brings joy to the world. They can do it and you can do it too. Start right here, right now."

-Seth Godin, author of Tribes and Purple Cow

"Independents do it better. George likes retail mavericks, the places where visionaries are still at the wheel. Great stories."

-Paco Underhill, author of Why We Buy

"George Whalin's passion for retailing shines through on every page of this terrific book, as he takes readers on a magical tour of the twenty-five greatest independent retailers in America. If you're in retail, Retail Superstars is must reading. If you're not, you're going to love the ride."

-Bo Burlingham, editor at large, Inc. magazine; author of Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big

"A fascinating and sentimental journey inside some of the most unique retail experiences in America. In each case an individual entrepreneur with a vision created a store like no other: the biggest, the best, the craziest...and it proves there will always be a place for the independent retailer."

-Jimmy West, executive director, Leading Jewlers Guild

"What a great service George Whalin has provided to the retail industry! As only he could do, Whalin is raising the bar on all retailers everywhere. Now takes his challenge: make your store the 'distinguishable and remarkable' twenty-sixth superstar!"

-Patricia M. Johnson and Richard F. Outcalt, cofounders, The Retail Owners Institute(R)