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US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told Harvard Economics students on Monday (March 30) that he was optimistic about the medium- to long-term employment prospects for US college graduates, despite the current period of very low job creation because the US economy is the most dynamic and productive in the world.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that licensed Star Wars party supplies will not be available at launch. However, licensed Star Wars printed products are available.
Party City emerges from bankruptcy just in time to help families prepare for graduation parties.
The company, which has filed for bankruptcy twice (in 2023 and 2024), now operates more than 700 Staples stores across the U.S., according to an April 21 news release. Shoppers can find Party City on Staples.com, with Party City stores expected to be added to more Staples stores by the end of the year.
Our synergistic partnership allows you to not only find party decorations and costumes, but also signage, invitations, and printed banners in one place. “This partnership with Party City really complemented our print services business, and that’s where the spark came from,” Staples US Retail President Marshall Warkentin told USA TODAY.
Balloons “are a great product to offer along with what we print,” Warkentin said, while party favors for birthdays, graduations and other celebrations supplement Staples’ annual back-to-school foot traffic. “When I got in touch with the folks at Party City a while back, the idea really started to take hold that this could be a great way to connect with customers,” he said.
Some Staples stores began adding Party City locations in August, but the national partnership became official just before graduation season, when graduation-related spending reached an estimated $6.8 billion last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
“Graduation is one of the big seasons for balloons. It’s one of the big seasons for party supplies,” Warkentin said. “So we’ve been building up to this moment.”
Party City store inside Staples ‘continues to grow’
Party City’s licensing agreement allows shoppers to get party supplies, banners, signs and invitations featuring popular Disney and Marvel characters, Warkentin said.
In addition to balloons, he said, “You can also create a Spider-Man invitation and customize it with Johnny’s name and create a customized banner with Spider-Man in your home.” “That’s the key message here, and it’s very exciting.”
Warkentin expects to see more Staples locations to add to the Party City location. There are approximately 900 stores in total. “We are confident that this program will continue to grow,” he said.
To find Party City stores within Staples stores, visit Staples.com.
Party City Finds New Reasons to Celebrate Partnership with Staples
Party City will see many retailers and other businesses close or bankrupt in 2024 and 2025, with some businesses such as Macy’s, Kroger, and Walgreens remaining closed until 2026.
“For as long as we can remember, Party City has been the trusted go-to store for balloons and party supplies known for quality, creativity and celebration,” Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Party City owner Ad Populum, said in an April 21 news release.
Ad Populum acquired Party City in February 2025, adding it to its portfolio of pop culture brands that includes costume companies Rubies and Smiffys. The acquisition follows Party City’s second bankruptcy in December 2024 (revealed from its January 2023 filing in October 2023) and the eventual closure of approximately 700 corporate-owned Party City stores. However, more than 20 franchise-owned stores remained open.
In searching for a way to bring Party City back, “Staples immediately stood out not only for its national footprint, but also for its strong ties to the community that we both have been a part of for years. It felt like a natural fit from the beginning,” Weinshanker said. “Together, we will enable our millions of loyal customers to celebrate and party with confidence at their local Party City (now Staples).”
Staples is owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which acquired Walgreens Boots Alliance in 2025 and also owns apparel company Knitwell Group, whose brands include Chico’s, Ann Taylor, Loft, Talbots and White House Black Market.
Warkentin said customer feedback about the partnership has been positive. “What our customers tell us is, ‘I’m so happy to be able to go find my Party City again,’ and ‘It really makes sense to be in Staples,'” he says.
Party City and Staples deal coincides with graduation
As part of Staples’ new partnership with Party City, you can take advantage of several special deals available in-store and online, including $5 off any party supplies purchase of $25 or more (through May 2nd). Buy 2, get 1 free foil balloon (until June 16th). Get 40% off custom cards, invitations, banners, posters, yard signs, wrapping paper, and photo gifts (through June 13th).
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
