Party store explained

In the United States, a party store is a store that sells supplies for parties. Merchandise may include:^{[1] [2]}

• Balloons and streamers
• Wrapping paper, greeting cards
• Cake decoration items
• Seasonal holiday items (Christmas, Hanukkah, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.)
• Candy and soft drinks
• Plates, utensils, cups (especially disposable ones for parties) and table decorations

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.^[3] In Michigan and some other parts of the United States, "party store" may also be a local synonym for convenience store.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Ingram . Thomas . Sales Management: Analysis and Decision Making . 27 March 2015 . 71 . 9781317511632 . 13 June 2019.
2. http://partycity.com "Categories", Party City official website
3. News: Das . RonnieM . The party is over for over 45 of the nation's "Party City" stores. 13 June 2019 . WLNS-TV . May 14, 2019.
4. Web site: Party Store « the Word Detective.
5. Web site: 25 Words That Are Interpreted Entirely Differently in Michigan.