Where’s the Party (City)? At 700+ Staples Stores
Staples launched Party City partnerships in 700+ stores after Party City's 2024 bankruptcy, offering party supplies and balloon services. Other retailers like Michaels and Albertsons are also expanding party supply offerings to fill the gap.
Party supply demand is shifting to omnichannel retailers with fulfillment capabilities, creating opportunity in seasonal/celebration categories. Check your party supply, balloon, and seasonal decoration performance in Q2-Q3 graduation/celebration seasons.
Retail consolidation continues as bankrupt specialty retailers get absorbed into omnichannel players, creating category gaps for agile marketplace sellers to fill.
Review party supply category performance in Amazon Brand Analytics - if trending up, expand seasonal celebration SKUs before Q3.
Monitor Michaels and Albertsons marketplace expansion into party supplies as potential new competition channels.
Bottom Line
Party City bankruptcy creates party supply opportunity for marketplace sellers.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
low
Party City bankruptcy creates party supply opportunity for marketplace sellers.
Key Stat / Trigger
700+ Staples stores now carry Party City products
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
Just in time for graduation and other spring celebrations, Staples has launched a strategic partnership with Party City, combining balloons, décor and party supplies with Staples’ same-day print and marketing services in more than 700 stores and online. Staples plans to expand the Party City assortments to additional stores by the end of 2026.
“By bringing Party City into Staples stores, we’re expanding what customers can accomplish in one place,” said Marshall Warkentin, President, Staples U. S. Retail in a statement. In addition to party supplies, the Party City in-store experience at Staples will include a range of latex and foil balloons inflated with helium and ready to take home.
In coming weeks, customers will be able to schedule balloon pickups in advance, either online or via the Staples app.
Following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2024, Party City closed its brick-and-mortar stores and sold its IP and wholesale operations to Ad Populum, a consumer product conglomerate that owns a number of brands that have been sold at Party City, in February 2025.
The brand already has popped back up online via a partnership with DoorDash, while at the same time other retailers have stepped in to fill the gap by enhancing their own offerings, including Michaels and Albertsons.
“For as long as we can all remember, Party City has been the trusted go-to for balloons and party goods, known for quality, creativity and celebrations,” said Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum in a statement. “As we take the new Party City to more places than ever before, finding the right partners is essential.
Staples stood out immediately, not only for its national footprint but for its strong connection to the communities we have both been part of for years. It felt like a natural fit from the start.”
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Retail TouchPoints. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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