Holiday Shopping: Gone to the Dogs

One of the hottest sales opportunities for embroidery shops this holiday season may be right under your nose, or rather, lying at your feet.

Pet owners are increasingly buying gifts for their pets, so much so that brokerage firms are recommending shares of Petco Animal Supplies Inc. and Petsmart Inc. in anticipation of a splurge in buying for dogs and cats.

According to the Wall Street Journal, these stocks have risen 30% and 25% respectively during the past three months, with room to grow. The Wall Street Journal also reported that J. C. Penney Co. stores showed strong sales of pet clothes during the holiday shopping spree weekend after Thanksgiving.



In fact, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimates that 40 million Americans will buy holiday gifts for their dogs, cats, birds and an assortment of other pets. Alan Rifkin, an analyst at Lehman Brothers, points out that 54% of dog owners and 41% of cat owners expect to buy presents for their pets this year. And a poll by Pet Supplies Plus revealed that the average pet owner plans to spend about $25 per pet. Being man's best friend apparently wasn't enough. "Increasingly, your dog or cat is becoming a loved member of the family," he says.

Bedding, collars, stockings, travel bags and sweaters figured among the 11 personalized pet items EMB recently discovered in an Orvis holiday catalog. In fact, there were more personalized items for pets than for humans. Online gift retailer Red Envelope is offering several items for dogs, including a red canvas pet carrier for $85, or $95 if you want it monogrammed with your dog's name.

Pet owners also like to embroider their pets' likenesses and names on shirts and totes. L.L. Bean's canvas canine tote bags are one of the more conspicuous examples of pet passion.

No bones about it, the pet market represents a potentially profitable niche, especially around the holidays. Make sure you're prepared to help customers fetch the purr-fect embroiderable gifts for their furry friends by checking out the following list of suppliers offering pet apparel and gear.

And for an in-depth look at the pet market, read The Truth About Cats and Dogs and other Money-Making Animal Markets by Deborah Jones.

Sources for Pet Gifts

• For American-made pet apparel, American Apparel (americanapparel.net) sells a range of stylish T-shirts for your customers' four-legged friends. Call the company at (213) 488-0226 for a catalog of pet clothes.


• Planet Dog (PlanetDog.com) offers private-label and custom dog and cat items, including beds and clothes. Visit the site and click on "Wholesale" for details.


• Purchase luxury fabrics with doggie motifs at cryptonfabric.com. These high-end fabrics are designed by William Wegman (of Wegman's Weimaraner fame). If you have a sewing machine, you can make and customize pet beds for your customers.


• Tartan Hound offers wholesale haute couture for the most fashion-conscious for canine companions.


• Customize dog collars and leashes from Conde Systems. The products feature a white area in which decorators can sublimate a pet's name and his owner's phone number.


• Also available from Conde Systems are Unisub's plastic ID tags. Decorators can sublimate a pet's name or photo onto the tags, which the pet owner can then attach to his furry companion's collar.


• DollarDays.com offers close-out pet apparel, including jackets, harnesses, rain coats and other supplies. Visit the site at and click on "Pets."


• Check out PetEdge.com for pet beds, costumes apparel and toys.


• Visit PetWholesaler.com for a variety of pet products, ranging from birds' vests (yes, there are vests made just for our winged friends) to pet tote bags.