Staples Adds Party City to 700 Stores
Source: costar.com
TL;DR
- Staples-Party City Partnership: Staples is now offering Party City balloons and decor in more than 700 stores nationwide.[[1]](https://www.costar.com/article/203455010/staples-sets-up-party-city-offerings-at-700-stores)[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
- 700+ Locations Nationwide: The setup covers over 700 Staples stores and staples.com, with helium balloons available alongside print services.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
- One-Stop Celebrations: Combines party supplies with custom printing for events like graduations and birthdays.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
The story at a glance
Staples and Party City announced a strategic partnership bringing Party City products into more than 700 Staples stores and on staples.com. Staples U.S. Retail President Marshall Warkentin and Ad Populum CEO Joel Weinshanker, Party City's owner, highlighted the move as a way to simplify event planning by pairing balloons and supplies with Staples' print services. This is being reported now amid a nationwide rollout timed for graduation season in 2026.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
Party City closed its corporate stores after bankruptcy in early 2025.[[3]](https://wrrv.com/staples-party-city-store-within-store)
Key points
- Partnership makes Party City balloons (helium-filled latex and foil), decor, tableware, gift bags, costume accessories, and favors available in over 700 Staples stores.
- Staples pairs these with same-day print services for custom invitations, banners, posters, yard signs, cards, and photo gifts.
- Rollout now live nationwide, with plans to add more stores by end of 2026.
- Launch promotions include buy-two-get-one-free foil balloons, $5 off $25+ party supplies, and discounts on custom prints.
- Customers can soon schedule balloon pickups via staples.com and the Staples app.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
Details and context
Staples operates more than 900 retail stores in North America and focuses on workplace essentials, now expanding into celebrations. Party City, once running over 700 stores before bankruptcy liquidation in early 2025, was acquired by Ad Populum (an affiliate of New Amscan) for $20 million, preserving its brand for wholesale and new retail formats.[[4]](https://www.citrusheightsmessenger.com/2026/02/10/563124/party-city-comes-to-staples)[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
The store-within-a-store model started as pilots in places like New Jersey and Connecticut in late 2025 before scaling to over 700 locations. It revives access to helium balloons at a time when standalone party stores have dwindled. Products emphasize convenience for events, with next-day delivery to 98% of the U.S. on qualifying orders.
Key quotes
“Staples has always been focused on making things easy for our customers, and our partnership with Party City takes that promise into new territory.” — Marshall Warkentin, President, Staples U.S. Retail.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
“For as long as we can all remember, Party City has been the trusted go-to for balloons and party goods... Together, we’re making it easier for our many millions of combined loyal customers to celebrate.” — Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
Why it matters
Retailers like Staples are diversifying beyond office supplies into event essentials amid shifting consumer habits and bankruptcies hitting specialty chains. Shoppers gain convenient access to party goods and printing without multiple stops, while Party City rebuilds reach post-closure. Watch for expansion updates and sales performance by end of 2026.
What changed
Staples stores previously lacked dedicated party sections; now more than 700 feature Party City offerings with helium balloons and supplies alongside print services. Party City had no major physical retail presence after closing all corporate stores in early 2025. The partnership launched nationwide as of April 2026.[[2]](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421927178/en/Staples-and-Party-City-Announce-Strategic-Partnership-to-Make-Celebrations-Easy)
FAQ
Q: What Party City products are available at Staples?
A: Helium-filled latex and foil balloons, party decor, tableware, gift bags, costume accessories, and favors. These pair with Staples' custom print items like invitations, banners, and posters for events.
Q: How many Staples stores carry Party City?
A: More than 700 locations nationwide, plus staples.com, with plans for additional stores by end of 2026.
Q: When did the Staples-Party City partnership start?
A: The nationwide rollout is now live as of April 2026, timed for graduation season, following earlier pilots.
Q: Who owns Party City now?
A: Ad Populum, which acquired the brand and assets for $20 million after the 2025 bankruptcy liquidation.