Specialiststores selling supplies forparties began developing in the late 1970s in the United States and rapidly expanded into the 1990s.[1] They can offer a wide variety of products, and will often stock seasonal items for holidays—such asChristmas orNew Year.[2] Commonly stocked merchandise may include:[3][4]
In 2019 a global shortage ofhelium 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 countryQatar, impacting party stores such asParty City, one of the reasons the company cited in closing 45 of its 870 stores.[6][7]