RUBBA DUCKS Make a Splash at Retail
Hot New Collectible Adds to Flock
July 2001 (Newstream) -- RUBBA DUCKS® have taken off at retail. What some industry insiders are calling 'the hottest collectible since Beanie Babies,' RUBBA DUCKS has retailers struggling to keep up with demand, since hitting store shelves in April, and have already appeared on ebay® for nearly 10x their retail price.
"The consumer response to RUBBA DUCKS has been incredible; every day we're getting calls from consumers asking for product," says Rich Ryan, buyer for Toys 'R Us. "We can't wait to get them in all of our Toys 'R Us stores nationwide."
"We sold out of our initial shipment of RUBBA DUCKS in three days!" says Bob Pold, Toys 'R Us district manager, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We can't keep them on the shelf."
"With product flying off store shelves, consumers have sent us a clear message that they love RUBBA DUCKS," says manufacturer Harvey Greenfield, chairman, Commonwealth Toy & Novelty, Co. "And the proof is in the re-orders from retailers."
Retail update:
Toys 'R Us has re-ordered three times since their initial shipment to keep up with consumer demand, and should be fully stocked nationwide by mid-July.
The next flock of RUBBA DUCKS will appear in stores this fall, including Toys 'R Us and FAO Schwarz, with increased distribution including Target stores nationwide.
All told, by October 1st RUBBA DUCKS will be available in close to 15,000 retail outlets worldwide, with select distribution of specific ducks to specific retailers.
Fourth quarter will also see an exclusive RUBBA DUCKS line in gift and specialty retailers through a newly inked agreement with Department 56, Inc. (a leading designer, importer and distributor of high-quality collectibles, best known for its popular lighted village collections), including the introduction of the festive HollyTM duck in time for the holiday season.
Consumers can log on to find out which RUBBA DUCKS will be available where and when, at the new "Rubba Retail" link at www.rubbaducks.com. With a simple click, browsers can see who's got em, who's goin' and who's next. Also new this August to help out the serious, and not-so-serious, collectors will be a "Rubba List" of all the different styled ducks enclosed with all the new RUBBA DUCKS shipping to stores. The first "Rubba Report" newsletter is currently in production, as well.
Each of the RUBBA DUCKS is uniquely designed to embody its character, and includes personal information about their favorite pastimes and more. Their unique personalities are also communicated through tattoos on their tail-feathers. Though not necessarily for the bathtub, each of the RUBBA DUCKS is tub-worthy and you can be assured will always float upright. RUBBA DUCKS retails for under $10, per duck.
The new flock released this fall includes...
Ducky DTM -- a duck with an attitude, but little direction. Wearing a "D" on his ski hat, he's a hip duck tattooed with a basketball.
DaizeeTM -- the flower-duckie. Peace, love and beads, man! Knows how to wear a daisy-covered bathing cap, and make it look good. Tattooed with a daisy.
ColdTM -- no need to fly south for the winter. He's icy white with ice-blue eyes and a top hat, and tattooed with a thermometer that reads below zero.
DuckwoodTM -- A wood grained duck who hates termites. His Woodee tattoo is engraved into his bottom.
Baby BlueTM & Baby PinkTM -- young and wise, U can see it in the eyes.
DucklesTM -- believes that laughter is the best medicine, and knows that everybody loves a clown. He's livin' life like a three-ring circus!
SpiceeTM -- Hot, hot, hot! Wearing a jalapeno do-rag and chili pepper tattoo, her birthday is cinco de mayo.
Rabid RUBBA DUCKS fans can look forward to some of these fowl-weather friends in the future: D.GooseTM, DinnochioTM, LiberduckTM, Hi-YaTM and Go-GoTM. Many more to come!
Consumers can keep up with all the DUCKS on the action-packed RUBBA DUCKS web site, www.rubbaducks.com.
