In the first of its columns for Progressive Party, NABAS looks at the circularity of the balloon industry.
What toy or gadget from your childhood makes you feel nostalgic? The popularity of retro items remains strong and it is interesting to see the different generational responses. For those who remember the item first time around, it will usually invoke some memories and for those who haven’t seen it before, there may be either a sense of either wonder or disbelief at the way things used to be.
What goes around, comes around and this circularity is just as visible in the balloon industry. Whilst the Covid period caused a huge level of disruption to the country’s financial status, many people who were stuck at home or unable to work turned to balloons as an alternative income stream.
The rise in free, predominantly organic, online tutorials by people both with and without credible experience, quickly attracted people into the industry. Prior to this, classic décor was a decorator’s traditional bread and butter work and still is for many and while organics are undoubtedly here to stay, classic décor is coming back into prominence again, with a few twists.
For those who are new to balloons, the speed and precision of classic work can be quite an eye opener and a real contrast to the organic style that initially brought them into our sector.
There is no doubt that now is a tough time for manufacturers, wholesalers and decorators alike. It is apparent from many balloon forums that lots of balloon businesses are closing. While the free, online training focused on creating displays, it left many ill prepared to charge correctly for their work, resulting in an unsustainable business.
Balloons are generally seen as recession proof as consumers have a range of price points they can choose from to meet their requirements, but despite this, the cost-of-living crisis, the need for a more regular income and generally returning to the pre-pandemic norm, have all contributed to the post-Covid closures that we are seeing.
At NABAS, the UK’s independent trade association for the balloon and party industry, we strongly promote correct pricing in all our training classes, ensuring that not only materials and labour, but also overheads and profit are built into this simple calculation. Costing your work properly and promoting designs that are both profitable and enjoyable to produce, will help to build confidence in your work and your business. Combine this with our industry specific insurance, a raft of member resources and benefits, plus access to a group of fellow balloonies to ask questions of, provides support and reassurance to help ride out this turbulent period.
Not only do we support our members, but we also reach a hand out to all those in the balloon and party sector. It is going to become more and more important that we pull together to safeguard our industry as much as we can. With events such as our free quarterly online conventions and our signature Party Industry Event in 2025, we aim to build and strengthen relationships between manufacturers, wholesalers and decorators.
Working together in an environment of respect, collaboration and with a wider vested interest, we can achieve so much more and drive the industry forward, preparing it and our members for when stronger trading conditions inevitably return.
And is it controversial to ask whether mullet haircuts should be the only thing banned from ever making a comeback?
www.nabas.co.uk
