Staples is reviving the Party City brand at a time when helium-filled balloons are harder to come by.
Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples on Tuesday said it had launched a strategic partnership with Party City, whose brick-and-mortar stores closed after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time in December 2024.
Staples, striking a deal with the company that acquired Party City's intellectual property rights, will be selling balloons, decor and party supplies in the area of its stores where it provides same-day printing and copying services.
Party City offerings are now available at more than 700 Staples stores and are slated to expand to additional locations of the office supply retailer by the end of the year. The setup is somewhat similar to the in-store shops that Toys R Us has at Macy's and Sephora has at Kohl's department stores.
Party City, when it was a retailer based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, was the premier North American one-stop-shop for all kinds of party supplies, especially its variety of balloons. Other retailers tried to fill the gap with the demise of Party City's brick-and-mortar stores, most notably Michaels, the crafts retailer. It expanded its assortment of party goods.
In January 2025, an affiliate of Ad Populum — a global seller of pop culture merchandise as well as costumes — purchased Party City's IP rights and its wholesale assets. Staples said its collaboration with Party City comes just in time for graduation season.
"Together, this creates a single destination for a wide range of personal and professional occasions — from birthdays and baby showers to grand openings and retirement parties," Staples said in a statement. "Customers can shop party decor, tableware, gift bags, costume accessories and favors, while also creating personalized invitations, banners, yard signs and posters through Staples print services."
Demand for such goods is looming, Staples said. Nearly 4 million high school students are expected to graduate in 2026 and graduation-related spending exceeded $6.8 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
“By bringing Party City into Staples stores, we’re expanding what customers can accomplish in one place — combining helium balloons and party supplies with our print and marketing services to offer a complete solution for celebrations, from graduations to grand openings and everything in between,” Marshall Warkentin, president of Staples U.S. Retail, said in a statement.
In the coming weeks, customers will also be able to schedule balloon pickups in advance through Staples.com and the Staples app.
“As we take the new Party City to more places than ever before, finding the right partners is essential," Ad Populum CEO Joel Weinshanker said in a statement. "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."
Staples operates throughout North America and has more than 900 stores.