Party Stores

Adjusting to the Times (From page 180)

Jack Wellman , owner of Dakota Party in Rapid City, S.D., said he has seen a tremendous uptick in balloon sales, as well: “Large number, mylar balloons are the best-sellers. Their popularity was growing prior to 2020, but it seems to have increased at a much higher rate. Then balloons and colors that match trends and party themes. Unicorns and dinosaurs are still top sellers, for example.” Josephine Latini , owner of It’s MY Party in Williamsport, Pa., said customer satisfaction is her top priority, and she will special order items as needed. “The thing I worry about most is helping the customer and having what they want. Balloons are harder to get—many things are on back order. The trends in balloon colors are pearl pink, pearl white, and silver. Also rose and ivory. I’m also selling a lot of a eucalyptus pattern in an ivory, emerald green, and gold combination that really looks sharp. People are doing the big number balloons, mostly in gold and silver. If a customer wants a different color, I’ll call one of my companies and do a special order. Not all companies are carrying the same colors that they used to. There have been some discontinuation of colors, and some are hard to get,” she said.

Yesberg is also seeing strong sales of the mylar number balloons, and suggests having as many examples of balloons and balloon work on display as possible. “We sell more of whatever we have on display. We can sell something directly off a shelf and tell the customer, ‘This is what it looks like, size, et cetera.’ Pictures do