Classic Money Cat

A small group works better than a solitary cat. Start with boxed solar cats for the till, a choice of colours and one or two larger waving styles to give the display some height. Add a money-bank design for customers looking for something practical.

No. The range includes solar-powered and battery-operated waving cats, alongside fixed-paw money banks and decorative figures. Check the individual product title before ordering—the money banks save coins but do not wave them in.

Yes, provided they receive enough light. A bright window, counter or well-lit shelf is best; a gloomy corner may leave them looking rather less enthusiastic. Try the display position before deciding that a cat has gone on strike.

No. Different models require one or two AA or AAA batteries, so check the individual listing. Some are designed to wave continuously and therefore have no on/off switch or battery-compartment cover; this is intentional rather than a missing part.

Near the entrance, till or front window—traditionally the places where a Maneki-neko beckons customers into a business. Leave enough room around moving paws and place a few colours and heights together; the movement is far more noticeable when customers can see the cats as they approach.

The Maneki-neko is Japanese in origin, although it became widely adopted in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Chinese communities around the world. These cats are made in China, and some designs carry Chinese good-fortune characters alongside the familiar Japanese-inspired form.