The Walmart of matching paper cups... and throw in some Baby Yoda napkins. Your #1 destination for birthdays, Mardi Gras parties, and last-minute Halloween costumes has survived the Zoom celebration era — and it's not just scraping by.
- Party City stock has soared 20% this week on expectation-beating earnings. January to March sales jumped 3% from 2020, and it's even projecting a profit this quarter.
- Revenge Celebrations: As the vax rollout continues and the economy reopens, more people are ready to "revenge" spend, travel, and celebrate... in person. Party City = epitome of the Revenge Economy.
Don't pop it... Party City has one important goal that's critical to its growth strategy: "win in balloons." After surviving the helium shortage of 2019, PC became obsessed with balloons "as a key driver of our differentiated brand experience."
- Happy 30th: PC brought "innovation" to its balloon biz, launching online-ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery of "balloon bouquets." Think: Insta-worthy birthday creations (your age is floating).
- Happy Anything: With reopenings picking up, Americans are eager to celebrate. And PC believes there's no shindig without helium-filled plastic.
Party City found a product to cure "seasonality"... For many companies, sales fluctuate predictably around the same time(s) each year. Think: boosted retail sales during Christmas (@CanadaGoose), and spiked seltzer sales in the summer. Party City is prioritizing balloons because they can be sold for all occasions (unlike Halloween costumes and July 4th decorations). Party is turning its stores into helium hubs because it wants to celebrate all year round — from the grad party, to the random reunion brunch.