FEEDBACK As non-essential retail reopens, specialist party retailers are finding their feet and discovering what temporary and permanent changes have been forced upon them as a result of multiple lockdowns. Progressive Party donned its mask and camera to get a glimpse as to how retailers were finding their first week back at it. CAROL KIMBER at Perfect Parties in Leighton Buzzard, a prominent high street shop within a growing market town.
“Well, we are open… it’s not quite the opening of floodgates that we saw after the first lockdown, this time it’s been a much slower start, though picking up a little each and every day so we’ll be patient. In the meantime, we’ve been doing some good trade with local businesses that are opening again, pub gardens, outdoor dining, that sort of thing. One thing that has remained consistent is the
RETURN TO THE FRONT LINE balloon side; people are spending more on balloons, it seems that in terms of party product that’s the real non restricted area at present – and even people and don’t normally buy balloons have found themselves doing so, it’s quite interesting. Giant numbers are always popular,
details with balloons and we would never want to offer a lesser service. We are now selling off our fancy dress… balloons are just our main business now. We’re not a university town, we’re not London so it’s a little limited. We will always sell a lot of
“This summer we expect to be selling a lot of partyware and disposables.” even during lockdown we’ve had numbers going out – parents want them for the photos if nothing else. We could have serviced online in the interim via social media… but we decided we couldn’t properly service customers that way as there’s so many options and
accessories and events like World Book Day we will scale up for, but the value of balloon and partyware business we are doing is just a better return for us than fancy dress hire which just doesn’t pay for itself at all now. This summer we expect to be selling a lot of partyware and disposables – I’m even planning my own events; it’s going to be a great season of garden parties that’s for sure. Organic arches and air-filled balloons are best for outdoor – helium balloons can end up a bit of a mess under a gazebo if even the slightest bit of wind hits. Some customers are concerned with the sustainable credentials of product, though often they’re purely focused on their theme and making it all happen. Sometimes customers can think that it’s paper, it’s okay, but forget that it can be plastic-coated. However, we as a retailer, do really try and work with manufacturers and ranges that have the right credentials. I think there’s still some work to do by the suppliers in terms of packaging, and we ourselves are looking into finding paper, recyclable bags though they’re not cheap! Fortunately, many customers bring their own bags now.” Left: The business enjoys a prominent high street presence with good window display space.
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