This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.Party City returns with stores within 700+ Staples locations

Mike Snider, USA TODAYThu, April 23, 2026 at 8:08 PM UTC

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Party City has graduated out of bankruptcy, just in time to help folks prepare for their own family graduation parties.

The company, which filed bankruptcy twice (in 2023 and 2024), are now operating in more than 700 Staples stores across the United States, according to an April 21 news release. Shoppers can find Party City on Staples.com and more Staples locations are expected to add Party City stores by the end of the year.

The synergistic partnership means you can find party decorations and costumes, as well as get signs, invitations and printed banners, at one location. "We see this Party City partnership as a really great complement to our print services business and that's kind of where the spark came," Marshall Warkentin, president of Staples U.S. retail, told USA TODAY.

Balloons are "a nice offering to go along with what we print," Warkentin said, while party favors for birthday, graduations and other celebrations supplement Staples' annual back-to-school traffic. "When we made contact with the Party City folks some time ago, that's where the idea really started to grab ahold, (that) this could be a … great way to connect with customers," he said.

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Some Staples stores began adding Party City locations in August, but the nationwide partnership becomes official just ahead of the graduation season, which spurred an estimated $6.8 billion in graduation-related spending 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 kind of building up to this moment."

Under a new partnership, there are Party City locations within more than 700 Staples stores across the U.S.Party City stores within Staples will 'continue to grow'

Under a new partnership, there are Party City locations within more than 700 Staples stores across the U.S.

With Party City's licensing deals, shoppers can now get party supplies, banners, signs and invitations featuring popular Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters, Warkentin said.

Beyond balloons, "you can build a Spider-Man invitation and customize that with Johnny's name on it and then you could have a customized banner to go in the house with Spider-Man on that," he said. "That is kind of the key message here that is so exciting."

Warkentin expects more Staples locations, there are about 900 total, to add Party City stores. "We're confident that the program is going to continue to grow," he said.

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To find a Party City store within a Staples store, go to Staples.com.

Party City finds new reason to celebrate with Staples partnership

Party City was among many retailers and other businesses hit with closures and bankruptcies in 2024 and 2025, with some companies such as Macy's, as well as Kroger and Walgreens, continuing closures into 2026.

“For as long as we can all remember, Party City has been the trusted go-to for balloons and party goods, known for quality, creativity and celebrations,” said Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, owner of Party City, in an April 21 news release.

Ad Populum acquired Party City in February 2025, adding to its pop-culture brand portfolio which includes costume companies Rubies and Smiffys. The acquisition followed Party City's second bankruptcy in December 2024 – it emerged from a January 2023 filing in October 2023 – and the eventual closure of about 700 corporate-owned Party City locations. However, more than two dozen franchise-owned locations remained open.

In looking for a way to bring Party City back, "Staples stood out immediately, not only for its national footprint, but for its strong connection to the communities we have both been part of for years. It felt like a natural fit from the start," Weinshanker said. "Together, we’re making it easier for our many millions of combined loyal customers to celebrate and party with confidence at their local Party City, now at Staples.”

Staples is owned by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which in 2025 acquired Walgreens Boots Alliance and also owns the KnitWell Group, an apparel company that includes Chico's, Ann Taylor, Loft, Talbots and White House Black Market among its brands.

Feedback from customers about the partnership has been positive, Warkentin said. "What customers are saying to us is, 'I'm so happy that I can go find my Party City again' and 'It really makes sense that it's in Staples'," he said.

Party City and Staples deals timed to graduations

As part of the new Staples-Party City partnership, you can take advantage of some special deals, available in stores and online, including $5 off party supplies purchases of $25 or more (through May 2); buy 2, get 1 free foil balloons (through June 16); and 40% off custom cards, invitations, banners, posters, yard signs, wrapping paper and photo gifts (through June 13).

Under a new partnership, there are Party City locations within more than 700 Staples stores across the U.S.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Party City returns from bankruptcy in many Staples stores across US

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