Party Stores

Keeping Sales Popping (From page 93)

goods: “We stock a variety of brands such as Caspari, Meri-Meri, IHR/ Boston International, Sophistiplates, and more. By offering a wide range of patterns, customers come in confident they will find what they need. In addition, these are products that aren’t easily purchased on Amazon or from mass retailers.” Kuonen said although they have a higher price point, a customer understands the difference in quality between a three-ply Caspari napkin and a two-ply napkin from a big box retailer. Their candy sales are strong because of its universal appeal—color and flavor for kids and the nostalgia factor for parents. “Most birthday parties require favors, and candy is an easy favor for parents and pretty universally liked by kids,” Kuonen explained. “We also sell a decent amount as impulse items for both kids and adults. Nostalgic candy from the 60’s through the 90’s aids in impulse sales. People often say, ‘I haven’t had this in years’ as they check out with a handful of candy in addition to their intended purchases.”

Sandy Puckett , owner of Balloons and More Party Store in Valdosta, Ga., said balloons and solid tableware are their best-sellers due to the “huge variety and great quality” in their 2,500-square-foot store.

Lisa Perrin , owner of Cheers to You Party Goods in Portland, Ore., said when it comes to party supplies, “birthday candles, plates, napkins, word garlands and fringe” are their biggest sellers. Perrin has had her business for less than a year. Cheers to You is a boutique-type event planning retailer; Perrin said she carries very little in the category of licensed party supplies and décor, although she does get these requests on occasion.

No event is complete without appropriate décor to set the tone for the entire function. Kuonen said in decorations, “Overall, our Beistle paper decorations win. Beistle has great products at a reasonable price, most of which are made in the USA. Their cutouts, honeycomb paper decorations, and accessories also aren’t found (for the most part) in Party City. As a boutique store, ‘not found elsewhere’ is important for us. We carry a range of decorations for most general themes and try celebrate every holiday—Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Olympics, St Patrick’s Day, Kentucky Derby, et cetera, it’s all available.”

Perrin does great business with decorations like balloons, streamers, and fringe garlands, adding “honeycombs have also been really big.” Puckett’s biggest sellers for decorations include “gender reveal, baby shower, and licensed themes. We have a great selection, and our prices are compatible with what you see online.”

Predicting trends can be difficult, but one factor remains constant—they are always changing. From licensed characters to patterns to party themes to color schemes, it’s not unusual for trends to change from year to year, although some trends have longer staying power. Perrin said right now, “Boho is still pretty popular. And events are very colorful—people are looking to get away from the mainstream colors. Pink and gold have been huge. Of course, Pinterest plays a huge role in everyone’s designs.” Licensed characters continue to be a big draw in Puckett’s market: “Bluey, Sonic [the Hedgehog] and Barbie just came in. Mickey Mouse, Spider Man, sports themes, Paw Patrol, and rainbow décor are great sellers. Buffalo plaid [pattern] and milestone birthdays are also selling well,” she says. For colors and patterns, Puckett added, “Rose gold is still selling well, as is eucalyptus. We customize balloon décor, which sells well.” She noted “Frozen, PJ Masks, and coral tableware” are trends that appear to be fading within her market.

Kuonen said he’s seeing more customers return to ‘timeless’ themes: “Generic princess, unicorns, construction, and dinosaurs are all popular now. Many of our Continued on page 96

Are Parties Staying Small?

As the world continues to adjust to the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, families, friends, and colleagues are slowly starting to plan and execute events of all kinds.

Retailers interviewed for this article said parties are starting to return to pre-pandemic attendance numbers. Sandy Puckett, owner of Balloons and More Party Store in Valdosta, Ga., said, “Parties were small due to COVID, but in the past few months, customers are buying a lot more for larger parties.”

Lisa Perrin, owner of Cheers to You Party Goods in Portland, Ore., said she is still seeing smaller gatherings: “For the most part, parties are staying small. People are really trying to be conscious about what COVID has brought. If it’s a larger party, then they’re having them outside. For the most part, I’m still seeing small and intimate, but I think that will change.”

Simon Kuonen, owner of Party Bazaar in Dallas, Texas, said in Texas, not much has changed as far as gatherings. “Texas in general has not seen the interruptions seen in some parts of the country. Overall, most parties seem to be the same size as they would have been in 2019. We have been back to a normal level since June of 2020,” he said. “The only parties that seem to have scaled back are weddings due to the lead time required to plan. Many people seem to be nervous to plan parties too far in advance, likely due to fears of cancelations or lockdown.” ❖