Plush toys are an important part of the toy industry. A throwback to earlier days, stuffed toys require a child to use his imagination to engage in play with a teddy bear or stuffed doll. Stuffed toys also give customers a low-cost option when searching for a gift.

Most stuffed toys are manufactured overseas, particularly in China. These manufacturers sell to wholesalers, who then sell to the retailers. However, there are a few American companies that manufacture and sell stuffed animals wholesale, such as Gund.

A major issue surrounding stuffed toys, as well as the entire toy industry, is safety. Toy recalls, particularly of imported toys, have hurt the toy business, causing consumer confidence to slip. Business owners should watch for inferior stuffed toys and work with reputable manufacturers. As part of a stuffed animals industry overview, think about the following points.

1. Ensure the stuffed toys comply with state, federal and international regulations.

2. Check the track record of the manufacturer for violations and recalls.

3. Rely on association memberships to help you find the best stuffed animal manufacturers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with established associations in the stuffed toy industry

The main associations in the toy industry can keep you up to speed on stuffed toy safety regulations. They also host large annual toy fairs in which potential buyers can see the latest stuffed animal offerings.

I recommend: The Toy Industry Association is the main toy association in the United States and represents 500 companies doing business in the United States. The China Toy Association represents Chinese toy manufacturers.

Check on safety regulations for stuffed animals

You should check to make sure that small parts such as the eyes, noses and mouth are safely attached to the fabric. Look for fabric that meets the standards of flammability, adherence to labeling laws, as well as age-appropriateness, such as safer embroidered features for very young children rather than plastic parts.

I recommend: The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists toy recalls and action that consumers need to take if there is a recall. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act establishes new standards for foreign and domestic toys.

Check out potential manufacturers for plush animals

If you have an idea for your own design for stuffed animals, there are companies that can help you develop your design, advise you on issues such as how product size will affect the total cost, and then help you get it into production with a stuffed animal manufacturer.

I recommend: Custom Plush Toys can help you make your own plush stuffed toys a reality and get them on the shelves in time for the holiday rush. Global Sources verifies stuffed toy manufacturers in terms of company visits and financial stability.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to have a plan in case of recall on plush toys. Consumers often have to return the toy to the store, and if you're the retailer, you may be refunding money and trying to recoup your losses from the manufacturer.

If you're looking for a product that will bring smiles to your customers' faces, plush toys are a good bet. Who doesn't love stuffed animals? Kids love to cuddle with teddy bears, and many adults collect plush dolls as well. Whether you own an upscale ladies' shop, a toy store or a department store, stuffed toys never go out of style and just keep on getting cuter.

When looking for wholesale stuffed animals online, think about:

1. Has the toy met or exceeded our Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards?
2. Is the quality of the plush toys up to par with the rest of the products in your shop?
3. Will the plush animals be appropriate for the age group and income level you are targeting?
4. Are the stuffed animals that you want to purchase actually cute? If their cuteness is debatable, think twice before you place your order for 300 stuffed armadillos.

Action Steps
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Purchase seasonal stuffed animals for special gifts

Which holidays are the hottest for selling plush stuffed toys? Top holidays include Christmas and Easter (Santas, snowmen, bunnies, ducks, rabbits or baby chicks). Order a good supply of small plush animals for stocking stuffers or Easter baskets to help add to your seasonal sales. But be wary of printing the year on the stuffed toy, because they may be difficult to sell when the holidays are over.

I recommend: Plush in a Rush makes an adorable stuffed rabbit holding a basket, available in pink or blue. This would make a great stuffed animal for a hospital gift shop or small gift shop. Burton and Burton sells stuffed animals wholesale and has a large selection of Easter plush toys. Stock your shelves with adorable musical Santas for stocking stuffers from Light in the Box.

Let your customers play dress-up with their plush dolls

Children love to stuff their own bears and dress them up in different outfits at a store such as Build-A-Bear Workshop. It's a hands-on activity that allows kids and their families to do a craft and spend meaningful time together. Having plush toys with accessories gives you an opportunity to encourage browsing and repeat customers as they return to buy a fireman's outfit or a ballerina costume for their teddy bears. Other stuffed animals such as Ganz Webkinz have an Internet tie-in to give the plush toys a virtual life.

I recommend: Toy Outlet USA sells clothes to fit Webkinz, one of the hottest sellers among stuffed toys. Teddy Bear Stuffers offers stuffing machines, as well as stuffed animal "skins," clothing and accessories. Check out wholesale plush dolls, including Glinda the Good Witch from "Wizard of Oz" at Dorothy Bells Gift Shop. Build-a-Bear Workshop can make personalized bears for your business, allowing you to customize a tiny tee with your logo or slogan.

Stock your shelves with huggable stuffed toys

Sometimes the best toys are the simplest ones. A classic teddy bear is bound to bring a smile to a child of any age. Having several sizes of plush animals available for your customers allows you to cater to their different economic needs. A giant teddy bear surrounded by furry friends makes a great window display to draw customers inside. Look for friendly faces, soft plush material and high 'cuddle factor.'

I recommend: You can become a Gund retailer of plush animals such as My First Teddy. The Kangaroo from Itsee Bitsees will hop right into the shoppers' hearts. Check out the 27 inch Polar Bear from popular stuffed animal manufacturer Melissa & Doug. Fill out their online wholesale inquiry form to receive a quantity discount especially for retailers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pay attention to minimum order requirements when ordering stuffed animals wholesale.

Stuffed animals and other plush toys are a tried and true category for retailers. Owners of grocery stores, floral shops, drugstores, department stores and, of course, toy stores can find success selling stuffed toys in their shops. Their appeal is for all generations, for the truly young to the young at heart.

There are many different kinds of plush toys. Among the category of stuffed animal, you have everything from the well-loved teddy bear to lifelike jungle animals. The category of plush dolls can include soft dolls appropriate for babies 18 months or older to licensed characters appropriate for toddlers. Expect a wide range of quality, from the small plush toys you can win in a vending machine to Steiff mohair teddy bears that cost hundreds.

To help you in making the most of stuffed animals for your business, consider the following points.

1. Stock up on the hottest stuffed toys including Webkinz or Beanie Babies.

2. Keep age-appropriateness in mind when organizing stuffed toy shelves, reserving stuffed toys with small parts such as plastic eyes for the older set.

3. Look for companies with a good track record of safety and corporate responsibility.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for new approaches to stuffed toys

Kids love the comfort that stuffed animals offer, and manufacturers have come up with new ways for kids to have their friends close at hand. Toy developers are also increasingly conscious of the needs of children with asthma or allergies and have developed special toys to meet that demand.

I recommend: Joissu sells plush animal pillows in a variety of styles, great for the TV room or bedroom. Kids Preferred makes stuffed toys that are safe for children with asthma and allergies, including the floppy puppy dog in pink or blue.

Explore options with interactive stuffed toy products

Kids develop relationships with their stuffed animals, and smart toy developers keep the kids interested with Internet tie-ins, special outfits and other accessories. Other companies have developed ways for kids to have choices in how the end product of their stuffed bear or toy will look like.

I recommend: Webkinz pets can have a virtual life on the Webkinz Internet site with the secret password included with each Webkinz stuffed toy. The popular Build a Bear Workshop has franchise opportunities available.

Invest in small plush animals to add to gifts

Small plush toys can be great add-ons at the cash register to round out a gift or even serve as part of the outer wrappings. Floral shop owners should stock up on plush animals that can hug a bouquet of flowers for new parents.

I recommend: Burton & Burton has a wide variety of wholesale plush animals, including the vase hugger stuffed toy. Best Wholesale Stuffed Animals sells pairs of plush toys called Smoochies that gravitate toward each other and kiss.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  See the hottest stuffed toys firsthand at toy shows, such as the Toy Industry Association's Toy Fair.