Party store

This article is about specialist retailers selling party supplies. For stores stocking everyday items, referred to in Michigan and some other parts of the United States as "party stores", see convenience store. For the The Dirtbombs album, see Party Store.

Specialist stores selling supplies for parties began developing in the late 1970s in the United States and rapidly expanded into the 1990s.^[1] They can offer a wide variety of products, and will often stock seasonal items for holidays—such as Christmas or New Year.^[2] Commonly stocked merchandise may include:^[3][4]

• Balloons and streamers
• Wrapping paper, greeting cards
• Cake decoration items
• Seasonal holiday items^[2]
• Candy and soft drinks^[5]
• Plates, utensils, cups (especially disposable ones for parties) and table decorations

Interior of a party store

In 2019 a global shortage of helium sharply reduced supply for helium-filled balloons, due to the US rationing helium because of a reduction in supply by 30% stemming from a Saudi-boycott of producer country Qatar, impacting party stores such as Party City, one of the reasons the company cited in closing 45 of its 870 stores.^[6][7]