Cost Plus, Inc. is a specialty retailer of casual home furnishings and entertaining products in the United States. As of January 31, 2009, the Company operated 296 stores under the name World Market, Cost Plus World Market, Cost Plus Imports and World Market Stores in 33 states. The Company’s products are proprietary or private label, often incorporating the Company’s own designs, World Market brand name, quality standards and specifications, and are not available at department stores or other specialty retailers. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009), the Company opened a total of 15 new stores, including 12 in the existing markets of Palm Desert, California; Houston, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; DC Area, Virginia; Columbia, South Carolina; Chicago, Illinois, and three in the new markets of Flagstaff, Arizona; Palm Beach, Florida, and Panama City, Florida.