Photo via Fast Company
Staples is making a strategic move to boost in-store traffic and customer engagement by launching Party City shop-in-shop experiences across 700-plus locations in 34 states. The partnership, announced in late April, positions Staples to capture additional sales during peak celebration seasons—particularly graduation time—by offering a curated selection of party supplies, decorations, and helium balloon services alongside its existing print and marketing offerings.
For Atlanta-area retailers and business owners, this strategy highlights a broader trend in brick-and-mortar retail: the importance of bundling complementary services to drive foot traffic and increase transaction value. According to Fast Company, Marshall Warkentin, president of Staples U.S. Retail, emphasized that the collaboration creates 'a complete solution for celebrations,' from corporate events to personal milestones. Customers can order personalized invitations, banners, and posters using Staples' same-day printing capabilities—a significant convenience factor for busy professionals planning events.
Both Staples and Party City have faced significant headwinds in recent years. Party City filed for bankruptcy twice—in January 2023 and again in December 2024—ultimately announcing the closure of all stores before this partnership breathed new life into the brand. Staples, meanwhile, has been streamlining its footprint from thousands of stores to fewer than 1,000 as consumer preferences shift toward e-commerce and B2B services. This partnership demonstrates how traditional retailers are evolving to remain competitive.
The collaboration also underscores the power of internal marketing innovation. Kaeden Rowland, a Staples print specialist known as 'Staples Baddie,' has built nearly 600,000 TikTok followers by showcasing the retailer's lesser-known products and services. Her viral success shows how employee engagement and social media savvy can amplify brand awareness—a lesson Atlanta businesses of all sizes should note as they navigate competitive retail landscapes.
