US-based party product chain Party City is currently making plans to open its first European retail outlet in Ireland.
The New York Stock Exchange-listed company – which is the largest retailer of party goods in the US and runs nearly 900 stores – will open the flagship store on June 8 in the Retail Park Liffey Valley, Co Dublin.
The company has purchased an Irish specific ecommerce website, partycity.ie and will employ 30 people instore.
The day-to-day running of the store will be handled by Creative Retail Solutions, the company behind seasonal pop-up chain Halloween HQ.
James Harrison, the chief executive of Party City, confirmed the opening of the store last week, explaining that it would act as a pilot to help determine consumer interest in Europe.
“I’m excited to announce that we are opening our first European party specialty store in Ireland,” he told city analysts in an earnings conference call.
“Previously, our only retail presence in Europe has been through the UK headquartered e-commerce business Party Delights as well as a chain of temporary Halloween pop-up stores branded Halloween Headquarters. This full-line store in Ireland will serve as a pilot for us to determine the consumer interest in the broader offering that only a party specialty retailer can offer at store level,” he outlined.
“We are extremely interested to see what this pilot tells us and how we can shape the learnings gained toward making the party conscious that are so popular here in North America a part of the European landscape as well.”
Vincent Lynch, managing director of Creative Retail Solutions, said he was confident Party City would appeal to Irish consumers.
