An ongoing helium shortage has led to birthday balloon rationing at some party stores in New Hampshire in the US.
The impact of the shortage is being felt by some stores, which have temporarily run out of helium or have been limited the number of helium-filled balloons customers can purchase.
Some Party City stores have limited the number of balloons they’ll fill until their next shipment of helium arrives, while other store chains like Dollar Tree have seen their supply disappear at some local stores.
Dollar Tree spokesman Kayleigh M. Painter said the company hasn’t placed limits on the number of balloons that can be purchased. “We will replenish the helium as supplies become available,” she said.
“We’ll be ok as long as it doesn’t happen during graduation,” said Patrick Gardner, assistant manager of Party Center in Salem, which has had a steady flow of helium from its supplier and has been able to keep up with balloon orders so far.
On a busy Saturday, the store inflates anywhere between 50 to 70 dozen balloons.
“We talked to our distributor and they said our stock could be cut in half, (but) they haven’t heard anything yet,” said Patrick.
However, Party Center has sold out of its small disposable helium tanks and has been told told that suppliers might not be able to source more until December or January.
