Staples is adding Party City shop-in-shops to 700-plus stores in 34 states, pairing party supplies with in-store print and marketing services.
Staples is ready to party—and it’s doing it inside stores, not just online.
Staples is rolling out **Party City shop-in-shops** to 700-plus locations in 34 states across the U.S.. positioning the office supply retailer as a one-stop stop for graduation season celebrations and beyond.. The plan pairs Party City’s party assortment with Staples’ same-day print and marketing services. while also bringing Party City products to Staples.com.
The partnership was announced in a joint news release on April 21. setting a clear near-term target: Staples plans to expand these shop-in-shops to more stores by the end of 2026.. For shoppers. the practical promise is straightforward—buy party essentials like balloons. gift bags. and favors; get helium balloons inflated in-store; and add last-minute personalization such as invitations. banners. and posters using Staples’ print capabilities.
# A retail pivot built on convenience, not just inventory
The move lands at a time when both brands have been forced to adapt.. Staples has reduced its U.S.. presence to fewer than 1,000 stores, reflecting a broader retail shift toward e-commerce and business-to-business services.. In many markets. that strategy has meant less demand for traditional office supplies and tougher foot traffic for big-box retail formats.
Party City’s turnaround pressure has been heavier.. The chain filed for bankruptcy twice—first in January 2023 and again in December 2024—before ultimately announcing plans to close all stores.. Against that backdrop. the shop-in-shop model functions as a workaround: Party City’s products and brand identity can live inside a retailer that already has store infrastructure. customer traffic patterns. and printing know-how.
# Why the shop-in-shop model could work now
From an industry perspective. shop-in-shops are less about “adding another store” and more about squeezing more value out of existing real estate.. Staples stores already carry technology and service workflows that support fast-turn printing and marketing materials.. That capability can turn seasonal intent—graduations, birthdays, grand openings—into higher-frequency visits, even when office supply demand is flat.
For Party City, the benefit is access.. Rather than relying on a standalone store network during a fragile recovery period. Party City can reach customers where they already shop and where last-minute needs tend to emerge.. The partnership also gives the brand a second distribution channel: Party City products at Staples.com.
# Human impact: fewer “runaround trips” during peak moments
For shoppers. the strongest promise isn’t the headline—it’s the reduced friction at the exact moment they need something quickly.. Graduation and event season often turns into multi-stop errands: picking up décor. then trying to find a place to inflate balloons. then chasing down print orders for invitations or signs.. By bundling those steps in one trip. Staples is betting that convenience can be a differentiator. even in a world where customers can order online.
There’s also a workforce and customer-service angle.. Staples’ store teams can handle both the retail side (party products) and the service side (print and marketing).. In practical terms. that can change how store locations perform. shifting some of their mission from “selling supplies” to “solving a celebration on demand.”
# The strategy behind Staples’ new attention cycle
Staples is also riding a different kind of momentum: attention.. One of its own employees. Kaeden Rowland. a Staples print specialist nicknamed “Staples Baddie. ” went viral on TikTok earlier in 2026 by posting videos about products and services.. With nearly 600. 000 followers. her content has showcased lesser-known parts of what Staples can do—especially the print side that the Party City rollout now leans on.
Rowland’s success wasn’t accidental marketing.. Her videos were filmed while on the clock. and the company has since embraced the attention by engaging with her content and collaborating through paid partnerships.. Notably. she was among the early voices sharing the Party City partnership with her audience—turning a corporate retail move into something customers can react to in real time.
# What to watch as the rollout reaches more stores
The next question for investors and retailers alike is whether this is a seasonal stunt or a durable customer habit.. Staples’ plans to expand to more stores by the end of 2026 suggest leadership wants to test outcomes beyond one holiday cycle.. If the shop-in-shops increase repeat store visits. lift average basket size (party décor plus printed materials). and improve perceived relevance. the model could become a template for how Staples grows without rebuilding its footprint from scratch.
Still, there’s execution risk.. Shop-in-shops require layout changes. inventory planning for time-sensitive items like balloons and décor. and enough print capacity to meet demand spikes.. The partnership only works if service speed and product availability match what customers expect when they walk in with a deadline.
For now, Misryoum readers can take the signal: Staples is trying to reimagine its role from a declining office-supply stop into a practical celebration partner, using the **Party City shop-in-shops** as a bridge between retail browsing and service-driven purchases.
To find the nearest location, shoppers can use Staples’ store locator tool.