2024 has been a challenging year for many in the party industry and will likely be looked back on as the new dawn of the industry after some major shifts. Partyworlwide.net looks back at some of the key moments.
JANUARY
Anagram International and its affiliated debtors confirmed the sales of its assets to Celebration Bidco at the end of 2023, while it was reported that Yorkshire-based supplier, Fancy Dress Ball, had entered administration. NABAS confirmed the dates for its Party Industry Event to return to the UK in 2025.
FEBRUARY
Show season began and Spielwarenmesse welcomed 57,000 visitors, while Spring Fair celebrated a successful 2024 show. In retail, Southampton-based party indie, Make it Magic highlighted a worrying rise in shoplifting.
MARCH
Disguise reported a decline in sales of 12% during 2023. BGC acquired long standing fellow greeting card and stationery wholesaler Paul White and its sister business Tiger Feet Party. In people news, Phil Bardsley departed Grabo after six years, while MAD Products expanded its team following rapid growth in the UK.
APRIL
The Club Green team headed to Tokyo as the company continued its international expansion with a new distribution partner and BAPIA expanded with the launch of BAPIA.ie. Suppliers reported strong 2024 sales for World Book Day, while Rubies secured a licensing partnership with toy and game giant, Hasbro and the Halloween Costume Association announced its inaugural awards.
MAY
Smiffys filed notice of intention to appoint administrators in May. Elsewhere, Party City readied for the opening of the first three of its new format stores, and Home Depot sold out of its 12ft skeleton decoration, five month before Halloween.
JUNE
The Wonder Group responded to news reports about its insolvency. It was then announced that Amscan Europe was initiating provisional insolvency proceedings, before Smiffys announced it had been acquired by Ad Populum.
Elsewhere, Rubies bolstered its sales team with a new head of trade sales, Luke Short; MorphCostumes was listed on the FEBE Growth 100; and BAPIA announced a new expo for the party and celebration industry – CAP Expo.
JULY
The founders of PartyKing bought the business back from the Wonder Group. Blues Group added a new arm to its portfolio with a dressing up division. Smiffys formally appointed administrators as Smiffys II was born; while the future of Amscan International was secured by a sale to Baaj Capital.
Party suppliers were named as finalists in the Licensing Awards, before Ginger Ray founder, Ben Spence announced he was departing the business. The month ended with news that the former Wonder Group UK companies had formally entered administration.
AUGUST
Club Green partnered with Fiestas Guirca, before announcing the appointment of Stuart Wheeler. Smiffys II then became the official sales agent for Rubies UK and Party City appointed Barry Litwin as ceo and president.
Budget Greetings Cards rebranded as Tiger Feet and Spirit Halloween opened a record number of stores.
SEPTEMBER
Autumn Fair reported a strong show in 2024, while Rubies won Best Licensed Dress-up or Partyware Range at The Licensing Awards. Mike McGillion joined Rubes as sales director.
OCTOBER
In the US, the HCA announced the finalists for its first ever Awards and a new venue was announced for the Halloween & Party Expo, while Spirit Halloween announced it was expanding into Christmas themed stores.
Back in the UK, BAPIA acquired the UK Face and Body Art Convention and BLE enjoyed a record breaking show. Brits said they would cut back on Halloween spending in 2024.
NOVEMBER
Amscan Australia was acquired by Anagram International. Spring Fair launched the Licensing Lab and new greetings, party and celebrations destination. BAPIA appointed Jacob Megram as new events and projects manager and former longstanding ceo of Spielwarenmesse, Ernst Kick, has been awarded the State Medal for special services to the Bavarian economy.
DECEMBER
Party City has been reported to be mulling a second bankruptcy, while Australia’s Party People has been sold.
The Progressive Party team would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year in 2025.
