message from the editor...
I
t’s been a busy two months Back in June I joined FACE, For retailers, the focus has to
at Party Party HQ – the last the UK facepainting association, be on providing an unbeatable
week in particular. It’s always a at Download festival, to ‘help’ service and making your business
frantic time as we go to press them set a Guinness World competitive – if not on price, there
but the past few days have been Record. The attempt itself was is always something else you can
particularly eventful as we have great fun (you can read more offer that makes your business
been gearing up to bring you about it on page 36), but it was unique.
some incredibly exciting news. also quite remarkable how many Good customer service is
“ While the
You can read about it in more people at the festival were in fancy an important part of this bid for
detail on page 4, but suffi ce to dress! Maybe I was just seeing trade – particularly for specialist
say there is a new international it more (like when you know a out-of-town shops who often rely
plans for the
costume show in town, which is pregnant person and suddenly heavily on word of mouth and
gearing up to inject the industry everyone you see is pregnant return custom. A few Saturdays
show are
with some much-needed as well), but the number of ago I was out with my sister who
enthusiasm and excitement. I’m superheros, stormtroopers, fairies wanted a parrot for one of her
glad something has come along and devils was quite extraordinary. nights out (don’t ask). Our local
still in their
to give the growing fancy dress It seems that as the festival culture store, A Party Shop, is about
market the push it deserves – the across the UK grows, the events ten minutes drive from the town
infancy, the
show promises glamorous fashion are taking on more of a carnival centre. Unfortunately punctuality
shows, lights and plenty of noise! atmosphere. This means that is neither of our strong points,
While the plans for the show are fancy dress and facepaints are and we arrived at the fi rmly
organisers
still in their infancy, some major in great demand throughout the locked doors fi ve minutes too
suppliers have already committed summer months – with two major late. Disaster! Where would we
are
and the organisers are welcoming festivals (Bestival and T in the get a parrot now? But just as
all feedback or ideas you may Park) already capitalising on this we were turning sadly away, the
have – so get thinking! How this trend and making costume an sales assistant took pity on us, let
welcoming
new show will sit alongside the integral part of their event. See us in and allowed us to browse
IPS is yet to be seen, but that will page 16 for more information on for as long as we liked. My sister
all feedback
become clearer as more details the current costume market, and got her parrot (and her cutlass,
are released. Until then, I’m just how you can get a slice of the dagger and huge green ring), and
going to be planning my outfi t. well-dressed action. the shop made an extra few quid.
or ideas you
In other news, balloons Paying attention to these types It’s this sort of willingness to help
have been hitting the national of consumer trends and fashions that makes a real difference to
may have
headlines over the past few is important. It cannot be denied the reputation – and profi ts – of
weeks (no, really!) and we’ve that these are diffi cult times, small traders. I’ve taken this as
taken a closer look at the issues and the murmurs of recession my inspiration for Party Patter this
– so get
that have surrounded headlines are growing louder each day. month – see page 40 for more
like ‘Biologists call for balloon The June fi gures from the Retail tales of party retailers going above
thinking!”
ban’. NABAS have even sent all Traffi c Index show that shopper and beyond the call of duty!
their members a press release numbers were down by almost As ever, please feel free to let
announcing their position. It’s a fi ve per cent year-on-year as me know if you have anything
sensible document, which simply shoppers react for the second you want to say, comment on,
states that NABAS have seen no month running to fuel price broadcast or complain about – Have a great summer!
real evidence that balloon releases increases. For consumers, the whether its about Party Party or
are dangerous, and reiterates the focus is on reducing unnecessary
the trade in general.
Jacqui
need to follow its code of practise. wastage and expenditure – we
Editor
See page 12 for Party Party’s are not yet at the stage where
opinion on the matter. people are cutting back on basics.
Party Party
Leader 3
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