The Rubber Duck Craze: A Timeless Trend Loved by Millennials and Collectors Alike

700 ducks, zero boredom

Duck World currently operates four stores in different parts of London and one in Miami. It offers more than 700 types of rubber ducks – in superhero, fluffy, color-changing, or even ceramic versions. For example, the “Spidy Duck” or the classic English telephone booth-shaped duck is popular, but there are also pieces inspired by celebrities – such as Donald Trump.

Not all ducks can be taken to the water, as some can’t handle a bath – but that doesn’t bother collectors.

Triple-figure prices, loyal customers

Ducks can cost anywhere from £5 to over £100, yet Duck World is stable – and analysts say it’s highly profitable. Retail expert Jonathan De Mello believes that collectibles are more resilient to economic downturns and have a more loyal customer base than most other sectors.

Rubber ducks can have gross margins of up to 80-85%, as the cost of production and raw materials is very low – so profits are plentiful.

Price hikes amid inflation and tariff wars

Duck World co-founder Irina Fedotova admitted that 2025 will be a challenging year. They were forced to raise prices due to persistent inflation of 3.4%, rising wages and taxes. The American business was in a particularly difficult situation, as trade tensions between the United States and China made purchasing more expensive. British design is typically followed by Chinese production – an industry standard, since more than 70% of the world’s toy exports still come from China.

American production is not impossible either: CelebriDucks, the manufacturer of licensed celebrity ducks, proudly advertises that its products are 100% made in the USA, in Ohio and Michigan.