Wholesale News & Articles

Seven years ago, Duke Imports set up business, primarily to wholesale acrylic blankets, comforters and quilts with its own "mink" blankets at the core. Ravi Sethi, president, says the company has expanded categories significantly over the past three years, while also reaching deeper into the overall bedding category.

"Business was booming," he explains, "and we bought our own building and added a variety of products, including touch lamps, swords and other items. We also added sheet sets," he says.

The company's three main categories include bed sheet sets, quilts and blankets. All these products are first quality and all carry the Duke brand. The bed sheets are of a blended fabric that Sethi characterizes as, "cotton rich." They come in a range of price points and sell in case lots containing a dozen sets. There are king, queen, double and twin bed sizes. The king, queen and double sets contain one flat and one fitted sheet, along with four pillow cases, while the twin bed sets contain a fitted and flat sheet and two pillowcases.

"The 12 sets in a case give retailers units in 12 different colors," he says. "Wholesale prices for a case of double sheet sets begin at $9 to $10 per set, and these units have a suggested retail in the $20 range. Better quality double sheet sets wholesale for $15, and have a suggested retail in the area of $40," according to Sethi.

The Duke brand quilts are of printed fabric, "and the prints replicate Amish quilt designs," he says. These are sold in three piece sets that include the quilt and two pillow cases. They are offered in king and queen sizes, and Sethi says the queen size also fits a double bed. The wholesale price averages $21, and suggested retail is about $45.

"Mink" blankets are still in the company's mix in both solid and printed versions. "These are very, very soft," he explains, "and the prints are the most popular." There are approximately 100 different print designs, including animals, wildlife and patriotic themes. "Our printed blankets are screen printed, and the print has the appearance of a truly natural photograph," he says. "They are of very high quality, and the brand and designs are exclusive to us." Wholesale prices range from $19.50 to $22, depending on design, and suggested retail ranges from $30 and $40.

The minimum order is $200, and can include an assortment of products, including items outside the bedding categories. The overwhelming majority of orders are shipped the same day. Products are shown on the company website, and once a retailer creates an ID that ensures he is a reseller, the merchant can order over the web.

For more information, contact:

Duke Imports Inc.
140 North Hetzler Court
Angola, IN 46703
Tel.: 260-665-1100
Fax: 260-665-1177
Website: www.dukeblankets.com

Article ID: 973