It’s a given in retail that no matter how bad the economy gets, folks always find money to buy things for kids and pets. That’s why it’s good to get to know the complete lineup of items from Ohio’s KC Creations, a wholesaler with a full line of pet-themed products. “When I bought the company nine years ago, they had a nice line of cat ‘door toppers,’” says Ken Cleveland, president and owner of the company. “I liked the creativity they had, and I added a line of dog door-toppers as well dog-themed key holders and leash holders,” he adds. “It’s a fun, creative business.”
KC sells to a wide variety of outlets, including mom & pops, resort areas, gift stores, pet boutiques and even feed stores. “We don’t sell to the major chains, as most of our customers are independent retailers,” Cleveland says. The KC Creations website has around 1,000 pet-themed items in total. “We feature 60 breeds of dogs, all painted in the standard colors, and broken down by either leash holders and door-toppers,” he says. “We also have a dozen cats painted 12 different ways.” The company’s “animal-crossing” signs cover 120 different dog breeds, plus 100 wildlife animals and miscellaneous ‘other’ signs. “We constantly try to keep improving the images we carry,” Cleveland adds. “A year ago we added the ‘animal onboard’ signs, featuring 99 different dog breeds and one cat. We also now carry a ‘protected by’ sign, featuring various animals, as well.”
Sales of the leash holders are starting to pick up, Cleveland notes. “It’s probably because they’re both decorative and they serve a purpose,” he says. Measuring about 9” wide and 3” to 4” tall, the holders wholesale for $12 each and fetch between $24 and $26 at retail. The cat and dog toppers, which are designed to sit atop a door jamb, wholes for $10 to $11 each depending on style and quantity, and retail for between $22 and $25 each.
Minimum order for any combination of products is $100 total. The signs can be shipped within 24 hours, but the painted pieces take about five working days, as they’re all hand painted. “And all our products are made right here in the U.S.A.,” Cleveland adds proudly.
For More Information:
KC Creations
8526 Innsbrook Lane
Springboro, OH 45066
Tel.: 937-748-8181
Toll Free: 800-223-6369
Website: www.kccreationsinc.com