Zumiez's young customers like to zoom. The fast-growing retailer outfits action sports enthusiasts, offering apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports equipment for 12- to 24-year-olds who enjoy snowboarding, BMX biking, skateboarding, and surfing. It stocks such brands as Billabong, Burton, Quiksilver, Vans, and Spy Optic, as well as private-label goods. Zumiez operates about 420 mall-based stores throughout North America and an online store. Aside from the usual action sports merchandise (hoodies and puffy skater shoes), stores also feature couches, video games, and sales clerks who really use the gear -- all designed to encourage shoppers to chill. Zumiez was founded in 1978 by chairman Thomas Campion.