The latest issue of Progressive Party Europe magazine is now available to read online, and will be hitting desks in the coming days.
As always, it’s a busy start to the year as the party industry readies for Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg, and Spring Fair in Birmingham, both of which are previewed in this issue, so that you can see what the plans are ahead of show season.
We also chatted to industry execs about how 2023 was for them, and what their hopes and expectations are for the year ahead. It’s fair to say that the last 12 months have been a challenge, but as always, the party industry has approached the difficulties with positivity and strength. Many have diversified their product ranges, some are reducing their prices for the year ahead to help their customers, and all seem quietly confident that 2024 will be a better year.
Early reports from the Christmas trading period are positive too, with footfall creeping up, and some of the larger retailers and grocers reporting strong sales, putting us in perhaps a better situation than we expected to be in at this point.
2024 holds a wide range of events which are set to boost the party industry. After Valentine’s Day and Carnival, we welcome in World Book Day. Some of the key players in the dress up sector have been sharing their plans for the event later in this issue.
As we move into the summer, there are some major sporting events that the party industry can use to bring in shoppers, including Euro 2024 in Germany – the ideal opportunity for retailers to deck shop floors out with flags and bunting – and then the Olympics, which are this year being hosted in Paris.
With inflation falling and the pressure on consumer budgets easing somewhat, there will hopefully be a little extra in the pot over the coming 12 months, to celebrate these and other occasions.
We hope to see many of you in Nuremberg and Birmingham over the next few weeks. In the meantime, keep in touch with all of your news, views and opinions. We love hearing from you.
Click here to read the issue online.
