progressive party europe march/april 2015

March/April 2015

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Welcome to the Party

C O N T E N T S

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE 03

The first few months of the party calendar, following all the glitz, glamour and general excesses of the Christmas and New Year period, are normally seen as a quiet time, ideal for party retailers to take stock of their business and start to make plans for the coming year.

Not this year. No sooner had the Santa costumes gone back into storage, than it was time to start making plans for the European party trade’s annual migration - first to Nuremberg for Speilwarenmesse and then straight onto Birmingham for Spring Fair. A number of hardy exhibitors and visitors even made it to both shows, despite the three-day overlap of dates. (It was easy to identify who had made both trips by the coffee cups surgically attached to their hands and the aversion to sunlight.)

Both shows were received extremely well overall, with Nuremberg’s carnival and festival hall really beginning to make its mark on the party and costume trade. A credible number of UK exhibitors were on show, with big brands such as Rubie’s, Smiffy’s, Unique and Amscan as well as relative newcomers such as Mask-arade, Traxedo and OppoSuits all making sure they catered for the diverse European market.

The busy halls and visitors keen to do real business meant that reports of new distribution deals were also strong. And it may be a cliche, but the milder weather meant that it really was a jam-packed show - once everyone got past what was an inexplicably quiet first day.

Going straight from Speilwarenmesse into Hall 3 at Spring Fair emphasises the differences - and similarities - between the UK and European party industries. Each market has its own unique focus, but the two are converging at a rapid rate - and while we haven’t bought carnival over to the UK just yet, surely it’s only a matter of time? We can’t think of a single party retailer who would say no to another major party season! Although whether we have the right climate for typical carnival attire is another matter entirely....

Spring Fair itself was as much fun as it always is - we love having the time to catch up with everyone and see what’s on offer for the coming months. We noticed a real difference in the quality of product this year - it seems that as the economy is starting to get back on its (admittedly still quite shaky) feet again, consumers are willing to spend a little more and are looking for high-quality lines rather than value.

Next year’s Spring Fair will see a number of changes to Hall 3, where The Party Show shares a space with the toy trade. It’s a crossover market which has worked well for those who have reaped the benefits of toy shops looking for additional lines, especially in the dress-up category. For 2016, toys will be moving into Hall 5, while party will be moving further down Hall 3 and will be joined by greeting cards, who are vacating Hall 4.

While this may be seen as bad news for many, there is a clear share of the party market which is going to do well from the move. Being seen by a different, card-based customer base is expected to benefit partyware and balloon exhibitors, where there is a natural synergy. How this will affect The Party Show as a whole next year is yet to be seen.

These aren’t the only two shows for the party trade though - the BCA trade show, which is aimed at the hire market, took place at the beginning of March. BCA chairman Peter Denton told PPE how the show went from his perspective. “The exhibitors are getting fewer as are the attendees, but both said they had had a good productive show. It has been 30 years of trade shows for the BCA and we have seen all the changes and trends come and go, but it seems that there is still a need for quality hire-quality costumes. Along with the need for the quality costume hire shop, of course!”

It’s not all been trade shows and order books though, as we’ve also had a busy few weeks with carnival, Book Week, Red Nose Day and St Patrick’s Day, all requiring an abundance of fancy dress and accessories. And once Easter has passed in a chocolate-fuelled haze, the wedding - and hen and stag - season will start to get underway.

In this issue, we’ve looked at the wedding market, hen and stag trends, the latest tableware and children’s parties - there’s more new product than you could shake a piñata stick at!

Have a great few weeks - and don’t forget to stay in touch!

Above: Progressive Party’s Rob Willis and Jacqui Parr.

max-publishing.co.uk

March/April 2013

The home of market leading trade awards

The home of Exhibitions

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Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DPT: 020 7700 6740 F: 020 7607 6411www.max-publishing.co.uk




Jacqui and Rob – Progressive Party Europe@Prog_Party_Eu

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For Quality Fancy Dress [email protected] (0) 44161 6553255

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C O N T E N T S

MARCH/APRIL 2015 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE 05

What’s inside: March/April 2015

NEWS The latest happenings from the world

of party, costume, balloon and retail.

THE JESTER Progressive Party’s

columnist tells it like it is.

TALKING HEADS Retailers and exhibitors give us

their take on Spring Fair.

FACE TO FACE PPE finds out the story behind Rubie’s

acquisition of Bristol Novelty.

LICENSED TO PARTY Progressive Party rounds up the

latest licensed releases.

NEW PRODUCTS New products don’t come

much better than this.

RETAILER FOCUS Marco Marchionni, owner of a premiere party shop in Italy, told PPE what can be found beyond the Venetian mask.

FOCUS ON: HEN AND STAG Hen nights, stag weekends, batchelor or batchelorette parties – they are big business. PPE finds out more.

FOCUS ON: WEDDINGS Fashion-forward wedding celebrations take inspiration from a whole host of different places. PPE discovers how.

CHILDREN’S PARTIES PPE takes a look at what’s in store for the childrens’ market in 2015

FOCUS ON: TABLEWARE PPE takes a look at the trends which can be found in the tableware area of the party market.

BEST SELLERS Retailers share what’s been keeping their tills ringing.

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FE A T U R I N

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L I N G E R I E C A T W A L K

FOR EXHIBITION ENQUIRIES:

please call Jonathan Kirk on:+44 (0) 7786 925080

or email: [email protected]

To register for yourFREE entrance badge*and for full Show details, visit:

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Show sponsor: ETO Magazine. The ETO Show is organised by threeonethree events ltd.The ETO Show is a trade only event and strictly no under 18s, students or consumers will be allowed entrance.

*Register now and we will keep you updated on all the exhibitors, Show news, and Show promotions. You only need to register once and your badge will be sent to you approximately ten days before the Show. Every person wishing to visit needs to register separately and all visitors must bring proof of trade status (business card, stationery, supplier invoice etc).

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The 2015 show welcomed leading buyers from across the UK and 124 countries worldwide, with visitor numbers of 63,255, according to the official figures.

Hall 3, where The Party Show shared a space with the toy suppliers, included a catwalk fashion show and seminars which were once again the shining stars, driving retailers

into the centre of the hall and ensuring they stuck around to take a look.

Rubie’s marketing director, Struan Robertson, said the costume company had a very positive time at Spring Fair. “Spring Fair is a key event in the Rubie’s calendar, and this year was a huge success with footfall up from 2014 on the stand. The show attracted many

new customers and allowed us a platform from which to promote the new catalogue and a slew of upcoming movie-licensed product, from Minions to Marvel.”

The next edition of Spring Fair International will take place from February 7 – 11, 2016 at The NEC, Birmingham. For more information visit www.springfair.com

NEWS PAGE

NEWS UPDATEAs a main trade event for the UK's party and costume industry, The Party Show at Spring Fair is a vital part of the industry's trade calendar. The largest and most important retail trade event in the country, the show serves as a crucial barometer for the economic health of the retail sector.

Spring Fair


Book Day Boost Another successful World Book Day took place at the beginning of March, with schools and nurseries across the UK getting into the spirit.

Both social and traditional media outlets covered the event in some detail, with countless features suggesting unusual / simple / creative character-based fancy-dress ideas in the run-up to

the event. In the week leading up to the celebration eBay.co.uk sold over 100,000 fancy dress costumes. Costumes

which fell under the ‘TV, Books & Film’ category

proved the most popular on the popular online

auction site. Rubie's Harry Potter

costumes proved the most popular this year, with sales of Harry Potter robes up by 1180% on the site in that week.

Left: Rubie's Harry potter robe was a big hit for World

Book Day.

Fancy Dress FansTens of thousands of comic book fans decked out in fancy dress gathered in London on 14 March for one of the UK's biggest celebration of animated culture.

The London Super Comic Book Convention saw fans donning elaborate and often home-made costumes in homage to their comic book favourites. There were a number of tributes to Guardians of the Galaxy's tree-like character Groot and various characters from the Lego Movie, although super-heroes were, once again, the most popular alter-egos.

Below: Among the best-dressed were this trio who posed as Batman and his nemeses the Joker and Harlequin. Belbal Passes Test

Belgian balloon company Belbal is proud to have obtained the Intertek TickMark Certificate. This now covers all branded Belbal latex balloon products for printers, decorators and retailers.

Belbal latex balloons have been tested and approved to be in line with the EC Directive 2009-48-EC, including the new EN71-12 standard.

The European Union has the strictest regulations for toy product safety and consumer health. Belbal's engineers have worked with testing company Intertek to ensure product meets these regulations. As a result Belbal has been granted the Intertek TickMark Certificate for all of its high quality latex balloons: Intertek TickMark Certificate Testing no.15FUK0149

"Obtaining the Intertek TickMark Certificate provide our customers a guarantee that they are selecting a product meeting the highest consumer health and product safety requirements," said Michel Van Even, director at Belbal.

Views On The News ■ “Spring Fair 2015 was as busy as ever and customer feedback received from the show was fantastic! In particular our collection of costumes and wearable accessories received a great amount of interest. There was also excitement surrounding our Halloween and licenced party ensembles. The show provides the perfect opportunity to interact with both existing and potential customers, and we are now busy following up on the requests. " Charlotte Cox, marketing executive, Amscan

■ “As always it was a pleasure to meet with both existing and new customers at Spring Fair. It is always nice to hear positive feedback as at least we know we are doing things right! We also met a large number of brand new customers and we look forward to working with them in 2015 and beyond.”Kerrie Stapylton, marketing manager, Fun Shack

■ “Spring Fair is the only place to see all of the most important party suppliers in the world under one roof. It is one of our most effective marketing tools, and the best possible event to showcase existing and new products to the widest audience. We have built many strong and lifelong relationships with our customers thanks to this event, and it remains crucial for our future growth!”Jim Cairns, UK vice president, Unique Party

Above: Bebal latex ballons.

Pioneer Europe's stand at Spring Fair 2015.

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“PG Live was fantastic, as always!As the only exhibition that has favouritepublishers and new companies all underone roof it has been the only trade showI’ve attended for a few years now.”Sophie Greenwood, senior buyer of cards and gifting of WHSmith Travel and Funky Pigeon

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PARTY NEWS

A Fond FarewellAll good things must come to an end – and it's with this in mind that party industry stalwart Ivan Smith would like to bid a fond farewell to everyone he has worked with over the last 29 years.

“I would like to say a big thank you to my customers, colleagues and even competitors for all the help, support and general camaraderie that has been a feature of the almost 30 years that I have spent in the balloon and party industry.”

He continued; “My journey started with latex balloon manufacturer Fiesta Balloons around 1986 and continued via Unique, Amscan, BBS and most recently Northstar Balloons. I have seen this industry grow from a limited and fragmented beginning to the cohesive and dynamic set-up it is today – and long may it continue!”

We'll miss you Ivan – stay in touch!

Halloween & Party Expo, the industry’s prominent Halloween and Party event, was held in New Orleans for the first time this February. The show was a success, but the biggest news of the show was the relevation that the event is changing hands and will now be part of a partnership between the Halloween Industry Association (HIA) and Urban Expositions.

“It was a great week for our members,” said Michele Biordi, executive director, Halloween Industry Association. “It was a good representation of international buyers on the show floor and we are looking forward to strengthening and growing international buyer representation... offering members new opportunities for their business."

Throughout the event the new owners met with members, exhibitors, buyers, industry associations and media partners to talk about plans for 2016 and beyond.

“This is the second Halloween show we have done to reach the American Market,” said Martin Keane of OppoSuits. “We saw many new buyers and met with returning customers face-to-face. It’s an important show to us and we already signed up for 2016.”

Under the new management direction of the HIA and Urban Expositions, plans are already in place to rebuild core product categories to the event, add

complementary categories for additional content, and diversify, and increase the attendance – especially in the Gift & Souvenir Markets, in which Urban currently owns 35 events.

At the close of the event, 80% of the booth space had already been renewed for the 2016 event, taking place from January 22 – 25, 2016. For more information, visit www.halloweenpartyexpo.com

RND Fancy Dress Sparks ManhuntA man taking part in this year's hugely successful Red Nose Day caused a large-scale police alert in Norwich when he was seen walking along a busy road in full camouflage carrying a 'large rifle'.

While most RND antics went largely unnoticed by the police, the level of media attention garnered by the man, who was dressed in army gear and carrying a toy AK47, meant that armed police, a helicopter and patrol cars were all looking for the suspect.

The local man was on his way to a fundraiser, and was said to be 'apologetic and very embarrassed' when he was finally apprehended.

While toy guns and other similar fancy dress accessories are generally bright blue, the man in question had painted the rifle himself to make it look more authentic. Above: A toy AK47 rifle.

Halloween & Party Expo Under New Ownership

New AddressBristol Novelty has moved to new larger premises, not far from its old address. The old site was split over three locations and had reached capacity but has now been combined into one building close to Junction 3 of the M32 into Bristol.

The new postal address is: Bristol Novelty Ltd., Universal House, Pennywell Road, Bristol, BS5 0ER. All other contact details remain unchanged.

Getting Festive At Nuremberg An essential show for party retailers and suppliers looking to grow their business,

Speilwarenmesse 2015 is the only mainland European trade show to have a dedicated offering, with 248 exhibitors showing carnival and party goods from 32 countries.

The show, which took place from 28 January to 2 February, attracted 70,000 visitors from all over the world, and licensed party and carnival product has

become increasingly important across the continent, with a 35% share of the market growing from about 7 – 10 % just three years ago.

"Nuremberg Toy Fair was exceptionally good for us this year,” said Michelle Comerford, head of sales and marketing at Pioneer Europe. “ It was nice to catch up with old friends and see how their business is doing, as well as meet new customers and help them start in the balloon business.”


Above: Welcome to prom!

Perfect PromTaking their lead from the US market, proms have become big business in the UK in recent years. Up Up & Away has recognised this with a new balloon course on creating fabulous party and prom décor to transform any venue, however big or small. The full-day course, which takes place on 24 April, will include lots of hands-on balloon décor focusing on easily adaptable creations suitable for any size and budget.

The Essex-based course will cost £95 and includes:

■ backdrops,■ entrances,■ dance floor décor,■ table designs, and■ deliverable décor plus more.

For more information, call Natalie on 01268 411712 or email [email protected]

H&P Expo's fabulous costume catwalk.

Above: Camera-shy Ivan bids a final goodbye.

Left: Packed halls at Nuremberg.


PARTY NEWS

Registration details are announced for World Balloon Convention 2016. Taking place from 6 – 10 April in New Orleans, Louisiana, early-bird delegates are able to register from September 15, 2015, securing big discounts in the process.

The premier Qualatex event is ideal for balloon decorators, twisters, entertainers and party store retailers who are interested in extending their balloon-based offering.

Hosted by Pioneer Balloon Company, the WBC offers seasoned balloon professionals and industry newcomers a wealth of high-calibre education as well as amazing networking opportunities, competitions, parties, and more.

Delegates are encouraged to register early at WorldBalloonConvention.com to take advantage of the biggest savings. Early-bird pricing (September 15 2015

– January 15 2016) will be $695 per person – a saving of $100 per person. Qualatex Balloon Network members will automatically receive $50 off their registration and Certified Balloon Artists will

automatically receive a further $50 off their registration – taking the potential savings up to $200.

Visit WorldBalloonConvention .com for additional information and to sign up for email updates.

Asda Costume RecallUK supermarket Asda had to issue a product recall following safety issues with a light-up Spider-Man costume.

The fancy dress outfit was recalled after a parent complained the battery pack blew up and flew across his living room. The costume, which sold for £12.50, has been taken off shelves across the UK after an investigation by the supermarket chain discovered a fault with the battery.

The investigation was sparked after a complaint from

Steve Slaughter, who bought the outfit for his son Stephen to

wear on World Book Day.A spokeswoman

for Asda said: “Asda George has issued a recall of its Spider-Man light-up dress-up costume. The wrong batteries

had been included inside the costume's

removable light-up unit resulting in a potential safety issue.”

Consumers have been advised to return the costume

and claim a full refund.

Above: The Spider-Man costume in question.

Balloons In The Big Easy

Face Painting PractiseIn the past seven years, face painting expert Juliet Eve has travelled to Switzerland, Austria, France and Norway to teach both beginner and advanced face-painting techniques. A regular at face-painting conventions and conferences, Juliet has a number of upcoming classes and events, with excellent and popular guest instructors Naomi Gay and Heather Sharp.

■ Apr 2 - Beginners Face Painting Module 2 ■ Apr 23 - Body Painting Essentials ■ Apr 30 - Eye Designs with Naomi Gay ■ May 7 - Beginners Face Painting Module 1 ■ May 14 - Beginners Face Painting Module 2 ■ May 21 – Novice Development■ May 28 – How To Design a Facepaint with Heather SharpFor more information on the Façade Academy, visit www.facadeacademy.co.uk.

New Face At Rubie’sRubie’s Masquerade is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Whitaker as its new international sales account manager.

Mark Whitaker will be responsible for international markets across Poland, Czech, Romania, Benelux, Greece and Turkey. He brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as senior category manager for toys and games at Warner Bros. and as international marketing and sales manager at leading toy manufacturer, Vivid Imaginations.

He will be reporting into Graham Gardiner, general manager of distributor markets EMEA for Rubie’s. “Mark is a great addition to our international team,” said Graham. “His knowledge and experience of both brands and the International Markets means he will make an immediate impact, supporting and driving our business in a number of key countries.”

Design DutyFun Shack continues its exciting start to the 2015 by expanding its design team once again. With a degree in Fashion & Textile Design, Charlotte Guest brings a wide range of experience, knowledge and expertise to the team, especially in theatre and costume design, CAD design, sewing and pattern cutting. PPE wishes Charlotte every success in her new role!

Amscan AdditionWith an ever-expanding licensing portfolio, that currently includes 100 properties, Amscan has added a new member to its licensing team. Liz Brown takes the newly created role of licensing associate EMEA, and brings a wealth of commercial and retail marketing knowledge and experience across multiple sectors. The role will provide licensing support across EMEA working closely with director of licensing EMEA Sandra Vanstan.


Happy Hen!Wedding bells are ringing at Pam's with sales executive Lisa Smith getting married this year in Las Vegas! The rest of the sales team is planning her Hen Night with excitement.

A typical class, at the 2014 event.

Inset: Liz Brown

Inset: Charlotte Guest

Inset: Mark Whitaker.


WIDMANN S.r.l.Viale dell’Industria, 3/C 20020 Busto Garolfo (Milano) - ItalyTel. (+39) 0331 560001 - Fax (+39) 0331 537565E-mail: [email protected]

National UK Wholesaler/Distributor Tel. 01702 447676 - Fax 01702 447677 E-mail: [email protected]

The Party keeps growing !The Party keeps growing !

Party FashionMILANO

Progressive Party_03_2015.indd 1 13/03/15 14:53


PARTY NEWS

Regent Sold To iPartyWholesale greetings and party goods supplier Regent Greeting Cards went into receivership last month, and was acquired by iParty shortly afterwards.

The Bradford-based company has been known to be struggling financially for some time following a string of bad debts. New company iParty is being run by Regent's former management from the former premises and has acquired the goodwill, continuing trade and assets of the company.

Regent Envelopes and Regent Party, which were

both borne out of the same group, are unaffected and will continue to trade.


Fancy Dress FuroreThe latest bad fancy dress choice to hit the headlines has seen a Tory candidate coming under fire after dressing up as convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius – complete with gun and fake blood. The fancy dress costume has been branded ‘stomach churning’ by Labour rivals.

Gregg Peers, who is standing for the Tory party in a Cumbria County by-election, was pictured on his Facebook page wearing a blood-stained South Africa yellow vest with ‘PISTORIUS’ written on the front and holding a toy gun.

Labour MPs called the choice of outfit ‘stomach churning’, while a Conservative Party spokesman said it was 'unacceptable and in poor taste'.

Call the sales office now for more information or to request a 2015 catalogue

+44 (0) 1202 590222 [email protected] House is a trading name of Creative Party Ltd www.anniversaryhouse.co.ukCreative Party Ltd • Roundways • Elliott Road • BOURNEMOUTH • BH11 8JJ • Fax: +44 (0)1202 590333 • www.creativepartyltd.com

Anniversary Napkins & Engagement Bunting

Metallic Ink

Matching Foil Balloons,

Latex Balloons, Foil Banners

and more!

Brand New for

2015

Now in its fifth year, the official Theo Paphitis #SBS initiative saw online fancy dress and party store Fancy Dress Bash attending the annual event, held at the ICC in Birmingham last month.

The Small Business Sunday initiative, which ex-Dragon Theo launched in 2010 from his kitchen table, actively supports small businesses via the power of Twitter. Small business owners are able to send Theo a tweet about their business each Sunday between 5pm and 7.30pm.

He then picks six lucky winners to retweet to his 467,000 followers, giving them fantastic exposure for their businesses. They are also given a profile on www.theopaphitissbs.

com and invited to attend the annual networking event.

Ruth Goodman, owner of Leeds-based Fancy Dress Bash,

attended the #SBS event. “I have a big following on Twitter and Facebook now and have made lots of contacts and friends through the #SBS win,” she said. “The icing on the cake was when Theo followed me on Twitter as he only follows a select few compared to his enormous list of followers!”

Ruth started Fancy Dress Bash when her three boys were little as they were always going to fancy dress parties, but she struggled to find costumes locally. “I decided to source my own from suppliers and when I realised that other parents also wanted a bigger variety, I started to trade online,” she continued. “I love it when customers call up, tell me their theme and then leave the rest to me!”

Party Retailer Gets #SBS Recognition

Training TimeQualatex is committed to furthering industry education, and an extensive education programme is taking place throughout the UK and Europe this year. .

Courses are available for different types of businesses and at all levels from beginner to the more advanced – including the Colin Stewart Tour which is highly recommended for balloon professionals to expand their corporate decor business.

The courses are running in the following areas:

Birmingham: Wedding Series 2 - 13th May

Cardiff: Wedding Series 1 - 28th AprilTwisting Made Easy - 17th June

Glasgow:Classic Decor - 23rd AprilTwisting Made Easy - 12th May

Ireland:Twisting Made Easy - 22nd AprilClassic Decor - 6th MayRetail Essentials - 2nd June

Leeds:Wedding Series 1 - 14th MayWedding Series 2 - 25th June

London/Essex/Herts:Colin Stewart Tour - 26th MarchRetail Essentials - 21st AprilClassic Decor - 29th AprilWedding Series 2 - 21st May

Manchester:Retail Essentials - 30th AprilClassic Decor - 19th May

Nottingham:Colin Stewart Tour - 25th March

Distribution DealsA new distributor has entered the party market, bringing new lines to the UK for the first time.

Currently operating as consumer websites, www.eurocostumes.com and www.europarty.com, the company is supplying the new party ranges to independent retailers as well as direct to consumers.

The unique range is brand new to the UK, and offers the market fresh, on-trend designs and great quality products at competitive prices. It includes tableware, decorations, the largest candle range in Europe, balloons, sky lanterns and indoor fireworks.

Above: Ruth receiving her certificate from Theo at this year's #SBS event.


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Progressive Party fullpage add (12-2014)-03 Eskimo.pdf 1 23-12-14 15:11



“Writing freely, from behind a magical cloak of confidentiality, The Jester draws on an entire lifetime of party experience to bring us controversial opinions, interesting viewpoints and all the latest industry gossip, fresh from the grapevine...

SHOW STOPPERS:SPRING FAIR 2015

Well another Spring Fair is over and the buying starts again.

But before I give this year’s review, I have to mention the most significant news we’ve heard for some time – that Bristol Novelty has become part of the Rubie’s family. It will be interesting to see what changes this will make to both businesses. I wonder whether the name will remain the same or will Rubie’s make use of the Forum Novelty name?

Well where do we begin with this year’s Spring Fair at the NEC? There did seem to be an air of optimism in the party hall, it looks as though we may have turned the corner with the recession, but there’s no doubt that retail itself is still fragile.

The main draw was, once again, the catwalk show. This just gets better and better each year – the only complaint I have is that it could do with more seating. This year had some really good fun elements with inflatable Tweedledee and Tweedledum characters, break-dancing Ninja Turtles, rocking Storm Troopers, and a great comedy bit which saw being Dracula left holding the babies. I still think that this could improve even more with a few other costume suppliers showing off their costumes as well.

So what else did I see that got my attention? Some of the old favourite suppliers are doing something a bit different – such as Palmer Agencies now stocking Cinema Secrets Woochie latex prosthetic appliance. I have always thought that these are the absolute best on the market, so if you sell make-up or stock Halloween lines, you must take a look at the range. In a similar vein, Maskworld.com was showing a great

range of prosthetics and Halloween make-up. This is a rapidly growing market, so it is well-worth investing in some stock from either of these two.

While on the subject of make-up, another company worth looking at is Royal Langnickel – a great supplier of packaged make-up brushes, sponges and wedges, all well worth stocking as demand grows for specialised product.

On the disposable paperware front, there were two lines which really stood out. Firstly, Amscan’s range of plastic shot, margarita and champagne glasse and cocktail shakers, and secondly Unique Party’s licensed ranges, which included the new Star

Wars and Jurassic World. I personally cannot wait for the films and these new ranges are bound to do well.

On the costume front, I loved the animal heads and gloves from Rasta Imposta, all the licensed costumes from Morph Costumes and the elf and snowman jumpers from Rubie’s. If last year’s rush for Christmas-style jumpers continues into 2015 these could be a top seller. I also like Bristol

Novelty’s book week catalogue. This season gets busier every year and we will need to keep new ideas and stock more variety to keep our customers happy.

New companies that I thought worth a mention were Midland Imports – with a great range of well-packaged bunting and flags, Headrush Europe – with a range of drinking games and beer bongs, perfect for stag party sections. A company called Bigmetal.net was selling flashing tattoos, which I thought were very nice; while Paintglow had UV and glow-in-the-dark face and body paints, also available in hair colour and

gels. UV nail polish, lipstick, eye shadow and mascara are all on their way and will be a great addition to any party make-up range. A company called Fairygoodies offered all things fairy-like, such as wings, costumes and other accessories – great for kids’ and hen parties alike!

I have saved the best ’til last, the Spring Fair party hall show stopper! Chillisticks are a great new company offering dry ice for drinks! It’s a great idea – although I’m not sure

about the delivery concept – but if it works I think that it will be the next big thing in the party industry. It will be interesting to see how we can stock this and if we can send it to people by mail order. Only time will tell!

I hope you all had a great show, and if you didn’t make it – well, hopefully a few of these ideas will fill in the gaps for you!”

“

Top: The catwalk show was a highlight for the party hall. Above: Dry ice for drinks offers countless party opportunities!

The Jester.

THE JESTER SAYS

15_Jester.indd 25 30/03/2015 17:48

www.rubiesuk.comPhone us on 08453 070707

TM & © 2015 Cartoon Network.



Kate Nicholls manager, Footloose & Fancy Dress, Plymouth“I have been going to Spring Fair every year for the past six years – it’s essential for looking to see what new companies and lines are around and figuring out what the new trends are going to be.

There’s no question that this year’s show felt smaller – there were less visitors, but less exhibitors as well. I had planned to spend two days at the show, but I managed to get round in one day in the end so I went home early. There were a lot of people missing – I particularly missed Scream Machine and Wicked Costumes. It’s a shame they’re not there anymore. Not having so many stands really makes a difference to the feel of the hall, especially for the retailers who haven’t been before.

I do place orders at the show – especially with the stands which are offering discounts for show orders! I always write orders with Bristol Novelty as they have all their newest lines there and it really helps them to have as many forward orders as possible.

In general though, I wasn’t terribly excited by anything I saw at the show. Rubie’s had the adult Frozen costumes but they were prohibitively expensive for my customer base. I had a look at balloons as well, as I’m going to be extending into those soon.”Left: Kate and the team at Footloose & Fancy Dress.

Talking Heads

TALKING HEADS

Sarah McNicholl owner, Euro Costumes & Party Goods“ As a relative newbie to the world of party my initial view was that everyone associated with party really loves the product and there is a real passion and excitement within the market. It is after all a fun product!

For me the main thrust of the show was all about seeing and understanding what’s on offer and understanding which suppliers specialise in certain products, such as licensed costumes or accessories. This year’s Halloween costumes looked amazing and we can’t wait to see them!

We discovered some amazing new lines, but were really impressed with the scope of the accessories on offer. We were already focused on them but now have a much greater awareness of what’s out there, the quality we can expect and the gaps in our offering.

We ordered a lot of Halloween product and some new everyday ranges, so were happy with what we achieved. We were only there for one day, but it was enough.

The catwalk show and skills workshops were extremely professional and eye- catching as well. Overall, the show is such a great place to meet the people you deal with on a regular basis as well as meet new contacts.”Below: Halloween decorations were a highlight for Sarah.

Fair Trade!

Below: The catwalk show and demonstrations at Spring Fair helps create that all-important party show atmosphere.

Whether you spent three days trawling each and every party stand at the Spring Fair or just popped in for the

afternoon, the likelihood of having seen all the newest lines and most exciting product is fairly

remote. With that in mind, Progressive Party spoke to a selection of retailers and exhibitors to find out their take on the show. Here is

what we were told...

17_19__Talking Heads_V2.indd 17 30/03/2015 12:52


C O N T I N U E D

Charlotte Cox marketing executive, Amscan“Spring Fair 2015 was as busy as ever and customer feedback received from the show was fantastic! In particular our collection of costumes and wearable accessories received a great amount of interest. There was also excitement surrounding our Halloween and licenced party ensembles. The show provides the perfect opportunity to interact with both existing and potential customers, and we are now busy following up on the requests.”Above: Amscan’s very popular Frozen range on show at Spring Fair.

Dan Parsons director, Fun ‘n’ Frolic“The party show at the Spring Fair, in my opinion, has declined in recent years. But this year I felt it held its own and was pretty impressed by the exhibitors and what was on show.

I’m always excited by the prospect of new and innovative products and services within our industry. This year was no different. We work in a fantastic, fun and vibrant industry, what’s there not to get excited about?!

We are expanding our pocket money toy range and trying to make the business even more enticing to children, so we spent quite a lot of time in the toy hall this year. But the best thing we discovered was the new remote exploding balloon popper from Absolute Fireworks.

For me, the show is best for browsing. We tend to run out of time if we start placing orders with any companies, so we try our best to find out what’s hot and what’s not, and any new lines or services we can add to our already sprawling store.

The store manager, Sophie Stroud, and I spent two days at the show. This was ample time in the end, after initially spending most of the first day in the toys and greetings card halls. This left us the whole of day two to spend in the party hall and catch up with new companies and those we already deal with.

I feel the workshops work well for getting new ideas together and for anyone who is new to the industry. The catwalks can become slightly tedious, but again they help to highlight the costumes and how they look when they are worn.

Apart from more suppliers giving away food and drink, it’s difficult to see how the show can be improved. The whole idea of the show for me is to see new suppliers and new ideas. As long as this continues, I’d be happy. So lots of new products and mind-blowing designs!

Qualatex always has a fantastic stand. They obviously spend a lot of time on making it look wonderful and we always get new ideas from them with new décor pieces and delivery pieces. Great to see. And it’s always nice to catch up with some people we only get to see once a year!”

Jelle van der Zwet co-founder and director, OppoSuits“Exhibiting at Nuremberg, Spring Fair and Party Expo New Orleans gave OppoSuits a great start to the year, however Spring Fair was the weakest of the three in terms of order writing and quality footfall. The organisers are the least

proactive in allowing exhibitors to expand in an economical way and appear complacent in the face of increasing time demands at the

start of the year.OppoSuits did accomplish everything we wanted to get out

of Spring Fair, but it was at a lower expectation than the other shows. Perhaps it’s a function of the distances involved but UK buyers appear to only visit Spring Fair for a day or maybe two. This is not the case at other venues. We used Spring Fair to showcase several new styles to the collection and shared plans for a basic line and a summer line. Those customers that did visit gave OppoSuits great support for all the new initiatives.”

Above right: The OppoSuits stand at Spring Fair.

Sergio Battaner marketing director, Palmer Agencies

“We are back from Spring Fair with… a spring in our step! The reactions we have had to our new additions in prosthetics, decorations or children’s costumes to name a few have been encouraging and very positive. Also, a more upbeat and positive attitude towards the current and future economic situation combined with a Saturday Halloween effect has infused more enthusiasm to retailers.

Our stand was busy from the very first moment to the last day. We are very grateful to all customers, friends and those whom we met for the first time for their interest and orders.

Spring Fair is still a very expensive showcase exercise, and the location changes for next year’s edition don’t seem to add up to justifying the effort.”Above: Palmer Agencies’ spooky-looking stand at this year’s show.

Talking Heads

TALKING HEADS

Below: A new store front for prolific Reading party retailer Fun ‘n’ Frolic

17_19__Talking Heads_V2.indd 19 30/03/2015 12:54

Face To Face: Rubie’s and Bristol Novelty

a decision for its long-term future and Rubie’s had plans to raise the profile of some of its other US companies in the UK and Europe, especially Forum Novelties.”

CI: “Rubie’s owns a number of brands in the US that do not have traction – yet – in Europe. The size of Rubie’s in the UK makes it difficult to give those brands the focus they need. Bristol Novelty is the ideal vehicle to achieve the goal of bringing more of Rubie’s brands to Europe.”

Chris B – both yourself and and Kevin Bater have said you will remain in post as joint managing

directors at Bristol Novelty. How important is that to the overall business plan?

CB: “Born with a whoopee cushion in our hands, both Kevin and I have many years of dealing with a wide variety of UK (and European) customers big and small – which has been the ethos of the whole business. While it is important that we remain involved within Bristol Novelty, the whole team will be similarly engaged as part of their daily routine.”

CI: “Absolutely – the whole point of acquiring Bristol Novelty is to gain a successful, profitable

business with an experienced team intact so it can continue doing exactly what it does best.”

Going behind the scene of the partnership a little, what do the two businesses offer one another?

CB: “The two businesses are different, in that we have – in the main – not competed with each other but trade with a very similar product. Both have

been successful in reaching the stage where they are now. The pooling of ideas will benefit both companies.”

CI: “The two businesses are entirely complementary, with largely separate distribution bases and generally non-competing product ranges. An element of sharing some product will further enhance the offer that each business has in its own channel.”

THE INTERVIEWThe news that Rubies Masquerade acquired Bristol Novelty in late 2014 was one of the biggest announcements we’ve seen in the party industry for some time. But what exactly will it mean for the party trade? Progressive Party Europe spoke to Chris Isitt, Rubies’ vice-president, EMEA and Australia, and Chris Bater, Bristol Novelty’s joint managing director, to find out more.

We’ll start off with a little bit of background about each company, as it’s important to understand the heritage

behind these two party stalwarts. We asked each Chris to fill us in on the details...

CI: “Rubie’s was founded in New York in 1951 by Rubin Beige (Rubie to his mates) and his wife Tilly. They bought a shop in the borough of Queens and started selling jokes and candy, soon graduating to costumes accessories and

then into costumes in the 70s. Since then it has expanded through organic growth and

acquisition to become the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of costumes and accessories. The European business started in 1996 in the UK and has since expanded through establishing its own companies in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Holland. Its main focus today is licensed product.

Outside of Europe, Rubie’s also has businesses in South America, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Australia. Rubie’s employs over 2,500 people around the world, around 100 of which are in the UK.”

CB: “Bristol Novelty started in 1969 in the basement of the Bater family home. Its main product ranges were jokes and novelties, with the main trading season during the holidays. It was incorporated in 1983 still with a similar product range, but with Halloween/New Year now as important trading events too.

Over the following 32 years the advent of fancy dress products has transformed the business, which now has 4000+ products. With 40 staff, warehouses bursting at the seams during the busy seasons and sales throughout UK, Europe and beyond the next stage had become inevitable. Moving to a new efficient, more spacious warehouse at the start of this year allows Bristol Novelty to begin its next phase.”

News of the acquisition came as quite a surprise throughout the party industry. Can you tell us a little more

about the thought process behind it?

CB: “Both parties knew the acquisition would come as a surprise, but if you look at the core reasons for this it makes a lot of sense. Bristol Novelty had reached a point where it had to make

Right: Overhead animal masks are one of Bristol Novelty’s trademark lines.

Left: Iconic licensing ranges, like Toy Story’s Woody – make up much of Rubie’s portfolio.

BIG

Q

Q

Q

Q

20 APRIL/MAY 2015 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE

(l – r): Chris Bater, Chris Isitt.

20-21_The Big Interview_v2.indd 20 30/03/2015 13:01

Right: A Halloween line from Rubie’s – Pennywise from Stephen King’s ‘It’is about as scary as it gets! Below: Book week is increasingly important to Bristol Novelty’s generic dress-up business.

Can you tell us what the plan is for the future? How will Bristol

Novelty operate and how involved will Rubie’s be in the day-to-day running of the business?

CI: “Using the maxim of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, Rubie’s has no plans (and no need) to interfere in the day-to-day running of the Bristol Novelty business.

Bristol Novelty will be able to enjoy the benefits of being part of the Rubie’s group, with improved access to in-house design and development and purchasing power, and will be able to move quickly into already established international market places for its product.”

CB: “For us, new product will be the main change. There will be a limited range of Rubie’s licensed product, but the introduction of many Forum Novelty items over the next 12 months will be more significant. Rubie’s day-to-day involvement will be minimal, but its experience to help Bristol Novelty achieve the new opportunities that the acquisition presents will be key.”

What does this mean for your customers? Will they see a change in the way either company operates?

What benefits will it bring to them?

CB: “There will be very little change at Bristol Novelty. Apart from the extra product, it will essentially be the same business. Any customer who had missed all the news should not see any difference to how we operate.”

CI: “Bristol Novelty customers still buy their product from Bristol Novelty, although the range will evolve as

we go forward and introduce more product. Rubie’s customers won’t see any difference, apart from being

encouraged to buy more from Bristol Novelty!”

What are you most excited about now that the partnership is underway? And ultimately,

what do you hope to achieve within the first few months? And the first year?

CI: “ I’m delighted that having Bristol Novelty in the Rubie’s family now allows the combined UK group of companies to offer the widest range of licensed and non-licensed products across all price points to a comprehensively broad channel of distribution. 2015 will likely be a year of consolidation of existing business while

putting plans in place for a spectacular 2016.”

CB: “Rubie’s placing in the UK market and its European partners will allow Bristol Novelty

to offer wider ranges of product to a wider range of customers. Being able to offer the service that existing customers have experienced for over 45 years within

the biggest costume business in the world is a big asset for all concerned.”

Is there anything else we haven’t covered that you’d like to make

sure retailers know about?

CB: “Product sourcing and innovation of product has always been at the core of what Bristol Novelty does best and the addition of Forum Novelty to the

range of products we offer will enhance that reputation. The ability to supply product for immediate delivery with the speed and accuracy will not be diminished. Normal service will prevail.”

CI: “Forum. It’s coming. Then look at what else Rubie’s has in its portfolio and guess the rest!”

Face To Face: Rubie’s and Bristol Novelty

Chris Bater vs Chris IsittFavourite fancy dress costume?“The best fun I ever had dressed in a costume was a toilet costume. It was an Abba tribute night (Waterloo!) at the Bristol Hippodrome. I was voted the best costume and had to dance in front of a full theatre!”

Favourite costume / range from the ‘other’ business?“Are there other costumes?”

If you had to dress up together as a classic costume duo, who you would you be?“Any classic rock duo still performing at the top of their game.”

Your ‘work’ motto?“Do today, tomorrow is another day.”

Favourite fancy dress costume?“They’re a bit strange in Bristol, I once walked into a bar there full of 50 people dressed up for the local production of Rocky Horror show. I didn’t stay long. You can’t beat superhero, but I like Scooby as well.”

Favourite costume / range from the ‘other’ business?“I always wanted to be a penguin. I think everyone does these now.”

If you had to dress up together as a classic costume duo, who you would you be?“Hope he doesn’t mean Peters and Lee. I’d go for Jose Mourinho and John Terry. I’d be The Special One of course.”

Your ‘work’ motto?“Whose turn is it to get the doughnuts in?”

The Quick-Fire Round

Below: Really though, it’s all about who buys

the doughnuts.

Q

Q

Q

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20-21_The Big Interview_v2.indd 21 30/03/2015 13:01

TEL: +44 (0)1908 288 500E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEB: www.amscan.co.uk©Amscan 2014, ©Anagram 2014 All rights reserved

When it comes to party supplies for Baby Showers to 1st Birthday parties we’ve got it covered!

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TEL: +44 (0)1908 288 500E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEB: www.amscan.co.uk©Amscan 2014, ©Anagram 2014 All rights reserved

When it comes to party supplies for Baby Showers to 1st Birthday parties we’ve got it covered!

Big Celebrations...for little people!

There are six adorable baby shower ranges to choose from, as well as decorations, favours and

new party games to add to the fun. For first birthday parties we have

four beautiful new ranges for 2015 and additional new accessories; offering fantastic choice for the

extra special occasion.Available to order NOW!

View our full collection of over 12,000 party products, balloons and costumes online!

FREEdeliveryon ordersover£150

One Wild Girl

One Wild Boy

Tweet Baby Pink

Ahoy Baby Blue

Sweet Birthday Girl

All Aboard Birthday

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OVER 700 CUT-OUTS & MASKS TO ORDER ONLINE

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■ Sponge Power!A range of exciting new SpongeBob SquarePants balloons are now available from Qualatex, in perfect time for the SpongeBob Movie which opened in March. Two SpongeBob and Friends Bubble balloons and four 11” latex designs come both with a Happy Birthday message and without.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010/11 PROGRESSIVE PARTY 39

Spring Fair

Progressive Party rounds up the latest licensed releases.

Licensed to Party


Licensed to party

■ Minion MadnessThe latest line from Mask-arade is the hugely popular Minions, based on the anarchic characters from the hugely-popular Despicable Me films. The complete range of face masks, desktop standees and life-size standees is launching in time for the Minions film, which opens in June.

■ F. A. B.

The Thunderbirds are set to return to the small screen in April with a brand new series ‘Thunderbirds Are Go!’ on ITV. Adults can relive their youth with officially licensed iconic Scott and Virgil costumes from Smiffy’s. Second Skin editions are also available.

■ Puppy Party!The latest hit show to create a buzz in the preschool market is Nickelodeon’s CG-animation Paw Patrol. Amscan’s partyware collection contains an extensive choice of over 30 items including tableware, decorations, party accessories and favours, as well as latex and foil balloons.

■ Guess How Much?Neviti’s licensed ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ collection of tableware and party essentials is based on the popular children’s book which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Featuring the adorable hare characters this collection is perfect for birthdays, baby showers and christenings.

■ Pinkie PieMy Little Pony fans of all ages will love Amscan’s fabulous new Pinkie Pie AirWalker measuring 119cm high. This impressive balloon will make a fantastic addition to a party or as a gift, complements the rest of Amscan’s My Little Pony partyware range, and is available to order now.

Tel: +44 (0) 1908 288 500

amscan.co.ukAmscan

Tel: +44 (0) 1494 473211

cscimports.comNeviti

Tel: +44 (0) 800 590599

smiffys.comSmiffy’s

Tel: +44 (0) 1908 288 500

amscan.co.ukAmscan

Tel: +44 (0) 800 281215

thequalatexevent.comQualatex

Tel: +44 (0) 1962 814292

mask-arade.comMask-arade

25_Licensed to party.indd 25 30/03/2015 13:27

CARNIVAL,

PARTY &

HALLOWEEN

New Catalogue Out Now

+44 28 9064 7119 +44 28 9064 5655 [email protected] palmeragencies.com @palmeragencies


Tel: 01908 288 500

amscan.co.ukAmscan

What’s New?New products don’t come much better than this...

What’s New?

■ Ready To GlowAfter a successful Spring Fair Pam’s has started stocking a new range of UV Face and Body Paints that are proving extremely popular. Counter display units and individual products include UV paints, glow products and neon hair streaks. A UV light keyring helps with sales as well.

■ Sharp SuitsThree new styles have been added to the ever-increasing OppoSuits collection: Cannaboss, Badaboom and Braveheart. Cannaboss is a ‘smoking hot’ new style, while the tartan-patterned Braveheart is expected to be popular at Scotland’s games at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

■ #Hashtag BalloonThis fantastic range of on-trend #Hashtag balloons from Betallic are essential for any tween or teen party. The balloons blend classic sentiments – such as Happy Birthday or Congratulations – with trendy social media application! #fun!


■ Save Me!The heated debate about the humble badger’s impact on the wider farming community continues, but Bristol Novelties’ rubber overhead Badger mask is non-threating and offers a welcome TB-free addition to the company’s animal mask range.

■ Chalk It UpThis brand new personalisable Chalkboard foil balloon was Creative Party’s most talked-about product at this year’s Spring Fair. Each balloon comes with a stick of chalk for personalising the centre of the balloon with the message of choice.

■ Family FunThis year Dreamgirl has created an assortment of family costumes, in a number of different themes. Each character is distinct, yet all come with detailed outfits and accessories in order to give the complete look. When worn as a family, there’s no getting away from the ‘Wow’ factor!

Tel: +1 314 991 8800

betallic.comBetallic

Tel: +44 (0) 7919 922247

opposuits.co.ukOpposuits

Tel:+44 (0) 1179 724012

bristolnovelty.co.uk

Bristol

Novelty

Tel: +44 (0) 161 480 6204

newtemptations.co.uk

New

Temptations

Tel: +44 (0) 1202 590222

creativepartyltd.comCreative Party

Tel: +44 (0) 845 2306763

pams.comPam’s

27_New Products.indd 27 30/03/2015 13:29

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Fittingly, Marco’s successful costume business La Stranacasta Travestimenti e Feste (literally:

Outfits and Festivals) first started out as a joke. It all began 12 years ago, when Marco and his wife Francesca bought four adult dress-up costumes to sell from their family tobacconist store.

“We just thought it would be a bit of fun,” said Marco. “Now we have more than 4,500 costumes for rent – and nobody knows how many items for sale – distributed across three small stores, all very close one to one another.”

THE SET-UPThe unconventional set-up, which has developed organically over the years, can be a problem logistically. But there are also benefits – the stores open up onto one of the most beautiful gulfs of the entire Ligurian Riviera. “This is definitely an asset because customers love to come to visit us,” Marco laughed.

The shop’s development and

investment in stock has been a gradual process, as Marco and Francesca were growing the business alongside their careers as software engineer and lawyer, respectively. “We both work for the company now,” said Marco, “but our experience helped us in approaching the market and dealing with foreign manufacturers and import issues.”

“We also have our ecommerce sites – www.lastranacasa.com and www.carnivalhalloween.com – and sell over several different

marketplaces,” Marco continued. “So we’re quite busy!”

Offering a fully-functional website is, of course, an important part

of any retail business, but Marco and Francesca still believe that the best way to ensure people know about the store is their constant presence at all costume events which take place in and around Genoa.

“Making sure we are highly visible creates personal relationships with our key customer base and passes the word around,”Marco explained. “It means we can share who we are and how different our offering is.”

WHAT’S INSIDESo, when they’re not taking in the impressive scenery, what does Marco focus on offering his customers? “Our main focus is definitely on offering quality, both in terms of the service and product range we offer and our own knowledge of the products themselves.”

While La Stranacasta’s product

range is wide-ranging and diverse, the offering itself is strictly limited to costumes and accessories. “We are an exception in terms of the classic party store, because we decided to concentrate just on the disguise,” Marco explained. “In our store customers can find everything they need for their transformation with, I believe, one of the widest possible choices around – but we

The Italian party market is best-known for the lavish Venetian-styled carnivals and celebrations which take place throughout the country. Marco Marchionni, owner of a premiere party shop in Genoa and one of the most active party etailers on the continent, told PPE what can be found beyond the mask.

Top ThreeLa Stranacasa’s top three costumes for 2014 were all licensed lines, showing the undeniable pulling power of a strong character. ■ Frozen (specifically Elsa),■ Catwoman,■ Spider-Man.Right: Marco and Francesca

Marchionni get into the costume spirit.

Above: La Stranacasa’s website helps to drive customers instore.

30 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE MARCH/APRIL 2015

Retailer Focus: Italy

La Stranacasa - Travestimenti e Feste

30-31_Retailer Interview_V2.indd 30 30/03/2015 14:39


don’t offer balloons and partyware. As far as I know, this is absolutely unusual in the Italian market.”

And that customer base been particularly focused on one certain costume in the past year. “There is no doubt that Frozen was the most significant development within the party trade throughout 2014,” he said. “The franchise has

been and will continue to be the current season blockbuster. I have no doubt.”

But Marco does not believe that the Elsa obsession is all good news. “Many carnival parties have been populated by dozens and dozens of Elsa princesses, all dressed in the same way. While it’s great for costume shops, this is not necessarily ideal from the point of view of children’s creativity.”

THE RETAIL SCENEThe Italian retail market is in a particularly difficult situation at the moment, Marco explained, because of the fragmented political situation which has left the country in a degree of economic turmoil. “It is very difficult to make any business grow,” he said, “because we have a progressive taxation forecast on expenses and are not able to evaluate real incomes.”

He continued: “This immediately reflects on our day-by-day business; for example a disco or a pub is not happy to record expenses on decorations. No-one wants to invest – everyone is keen to avoid miscalculating theoretical incomes.”

While Italy has its own unique difficulties, certain problems – such as seeing the high-level market disappearing

in favour of low-cost product – seem to be universal. “We have to compete with large retailers,” said Marco, “and with everything that is going on in the retail world, we would be happy to maintain our current position over the next 12 months.”

THE ITALIAN PARTY MARKETFrom the costume and disguise standpoint though, the Italian costume market is as fashion-forward as one might expect. “Dress-up trends are directly related to the regular fashion trends we see across Italy and Europe,” Marco explained.

“We are seeing a fashion-based response to the economic situation as well,” he continued. “When a country is in a crisis period, lights and sequins are often reduced in favour of less showy costumes. We saw this 40 years ago and we are seing it again now. For example,

the sexy costume market which was leading the trends in past years is now moving towards more modest outfits.”

The two biggest dress-up seasons within the Italian market are – perhaps unsurprisingly – Carnival and Halloween. “There are more Carnival parades than Halloween,” explained Marco, “Because

many Italian towns have a very old tradition of celebrating the event. For example, the Viareggio Carnival lasts for the whole month, and of course there’s the never-ending magic of Venice!”

By contrast, Halloween is left more to the bars, pubs and discos, who usually organise parties and evening events – there are a few parades and festivals, but not to the same degree. “Another occasion which I love, and unfortunately we miss out on, is St Patrick’s Day – I know it is a way of business for UK retailers and distributors!”

PARTY PRODUCTDespite local trends, there is no doubt that the party trade is an international market and as such Marco and Francesca make sure they stay on top of all the latest trends and keep their fingers on the pulse. “We deal with more than 50 providers and manufacturers because we want to offer the widest possible selection to our customers,” said Marco. “It can be extremely expensive, but our customers appreciate the difference.”

As to which brands have made a mark on the Italian market in the last year or so, Marco didn’t hesitate. “To me, Morphsuits, which have been immediately copied by every manufacturer in the world, are the most significant innovation of costume market of the last few years.”

“Licensed costumes also continue to dominate the market,” he continued. “Hollywood creates and distribute dreams all over the world – and we sell the costumes which make the dream come true!”

But licenses can also be risky, as Marco indicated. “In the past we have seen some strange behaviour, with the Italian consumer showing no interest in licenses which have been very successful in the US or the UK.”

THE FUTURESo what’s in store for La Stranacasa in the future? Well, over the coming year, the pair are planning to open a new ‘Atelier Baroque’ where they will offer a wide selection of historical costumes, including Venetian-style Italian-made top-level quality rental costumes. “We will be creating an old-style baroque environment,” enthused Marco. “We want our customers to be immediately bought into the magic of the old times as soon they step foot in the store!”

As for the Italian market in general, Marco believes that while the market

is likely to continue to be difficualt for retailers, there is just one way to ensure the future of his business. “There’s no other way than being honest with your customers. Those who understand the difference in what we offer are those who will be forming our base for the future.”

That’s a sentiment I think we can all agree with, wherever we are based!

Online OceanWhile the shops are retail destinations in their own right, Marco explained that the ecommerce side of the business is, as always, another story. “We might be swimming in the widest ocean, populated by sharks and whales – but we are flexible enough to adapt and so our customers love us and come back. That is our prize!”

Retailer Focus: Italy

Above: La Stranacasa, all ‘dressed up’ for Halloween. Right: The Halloween market is important to La Stranacasa.

Top and above:The Viareggio Carnival lasts for a full month.

30-31_Retailer Interview_V2.indd 31 30/03/2015 14:39

MARCH/APRIL2015 PROGRESSIVE PARTY EUROPE 33

We’ve all seen them – the herd of stags zigzagging down

the high street in their matching Morphsuits, or the brood of hens with their personalised t-shirts, announcing that they’re on a ‘pink ladies’ hen night. According to ThisIsMoney.co.uk website, 25% of people have paid more than £300 to attend a ‘pre-wedding knees-up’. For many, a hefty portion of that sum will be allocated to costumes, accessories and novelties, so a visit to their local party retailer is almost inevitable.

According to Emma Angel, director of Angels Fancy Dress; “Every self-respecting bride and groom knows that an eye-catching outfit

is a must on their last night of freedom, and sales are starting to pick up as April approaches. Spring sees the hen and stag parties really start!”With the new season already in

mind, Pam’s recommends that retailers get stocked up now

so they are well-prepared. Marketing manager Carl Taylor advises retailers

to: “Keep a selection of traditional and novelty

party supplies in stock and always keep up with the latest

licensed fancy dress costumes, as these always prove popular.”So, has the market changed at

all this year? There may be a return to the prime hen and stag market

of five or six years ago, according to Palmer Agencies’ marketing director Sergio Battaner. “While

we do not envisage a return to the crazy times of 15 people flying off

to Prague for a long weekend dressed up as pimps or 40s/50s bobby soxers, we should not rule this out just yet… these days it is all about accessorising and creating a sense of the group.”

Similarly, Charlotte Cox, Amscan’s marketing manager, said: “Typically a lot of effort goes into organising a fabulous celebration for the bride or groom-to-be! A big part of the occasion surrounds the

dress code, ensuring there is a key consistent theme

within the group.” Accessories and

other easy-to-wear items are a popular choice as they make

an easy impulse purchase and an effective addition to any outfit. Hot pink items in particular remain a favourite choice for hen parties, while humorous outfits are popular with the boys – especially the stag.

While comedy is always an important element of the evening, many brides-to-be will opt

for a more ‘risqué’ theme. “Trends may be changing, but the market remains,” asserted Joyce Mallo, marketing and communications at Leg Avenue. “Although being with friends is always the most important thing at hen and stag parties, we have noticed that the desire for risqué celebrations is far from over!”

This is not surprising, considering the endless supply of costumes, products and accessories available, from sexy red garters to willy-shaped balloons and truth-or-dare games. That said, erring on the smutty side isn’t the only way to celebrate the ‘last night of freedom’.

“Risqué celebrations will always be synonymous with hen nights,” said Holly Forder, marketing manager at Creative Party, “but it also seems to be increasingly common for brides to have a ‘family-friendly’ hen do. This often has more of a sophisticated feel, and is normally held as an afternoon tea or a garden party.”

With so many options open to the ladies, what does the stag theme entail? “Historically, stag parties typically involve dressing the groom up for maximum embarrassment,” said Smiffys’ Grace Hutchinson. “So retailers should ensure they have all bases covered by topping up their comedy collection. I predict the hilarious Well Hung Highlander costume will be a big hit with the boys!”

Kerrie Stapylton, Fun Shack’s marketing manager, agreed, saying: “The pink mankini is always a hit with stag parties. The more outrageous and fun an outfit for the bride-to-be and stag, the better, especially where stags are concerned.”

So, sexy for the girls and silly for the boys? Whatever is chosen, one thing is for sure: hen and stag season is almost upon us and it’s a great time of year!

Below:Hens are also getting into the OppoSuit act by wearing the smaller sizes and turning up the cuffs.There is no doubt that a party group wearing these suits cannot be missed!Picture credit: Last Night Of Freedom.

Focus On: Hen and Stag

Hen nights, stag weekends, batchelor or batchelorette parties – whatever you call them, they are big business. With the hen and stag market alone worth £300 million per year, the party industry would be a lot smaller without them, as PPE finds out.

Setting The Tone“From the silly to the embarrassing – and even the unashamedly naughty – there are some great novelty lines around for hen parties and stag dos. Party-goers often want to make sure the bride or groom-to-be is as prominent as possible by dressing them in a novelty veil or inflatable willy costume... It’s all about setting the tone for the forthcoming fun!”Anna Solly, Sancto International (Widmann’s UK distributor)

Right: Widmann has a wide range of hen and stag costumes and accessories, from sashes and badges to costumes and head boppers.

Above:This range of fun new costumes from Rubie’s is available for both men and women, and is sure to add a little spice to any night out.

Above:Balloons from Qualatex set the scene.

NAUGHTYNIGHTS

33_35_Hen and Stag.indd 33 30/03/2015 13:37

Focus On: Hen and Stag


Naughty Nights

Hen night balloons from Qualatex have always been a must-have, from microfoils to supershapes – and the champagne bottle can even be personalised.

Let’s face it, willys will always be funny! This set of rainbow-coloured willy-shaped shot glasses is just one

item in Pam’s huge range of hen and stag products.

Ideal for themed groups, these gnome costumes from Palmer Agencies provide the group with a fun, colourful, shared and dynamic sense of identity.

One of the new range of OppoSuits for 2015, the Cannaboss has been well

received at trade shows this year.

This well-fitting, spandex sexy police woman costume from Magic by Freddy’s is very popular for hen groups.

Flapper dresses like this from Leg Avenue are expected to continue to be popular in

2015 for the more glamorous hen party.

Themed costumes tailored to the destination are ideal for stag parties held abroad This Bavarian Guy from In Character is the perfect attire for a bustling beer hall!

The pink mankini from Fun Shack is perfect for creating maximum

embarrassment for the groom-to-be.

Creative Party provides the latest essentials for a more family-friendly hen party, with paper bunting and cookie cutters.

From Creative Connections, these party packs come complete with reusable willys, optional cut-out head and a prize for the winner.

Add some colour to a hen party with the tongue-in-cheek Crayola Crayons costumes from Rasta Imposta.

The hugely popular range of Stand Out Suits from Smiffy’s will ensure

stags can keep their dignity intact.

This new Willy Veil from Alandra is liberally sprinkled with pink and silver willies and L-plates, while the necklace drinking tube is ideal for partiers.

Customers can celebrate a girls night out with a touch of hot pink with this pretty Diamondz foil balloon from Amscan, while the classic hen party sash is always a winner.

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According to Brides magazine, the average UK wedding costs more than £21,000 – and that’s not

including the honeymoon or the rings. Of course, much of that goes on the big ticket items – the perfect venue, the dream dress, a professional photographer – but according to the detailed breakdown which accompanied last year’s figures stationery and decorations account for an impressive £800 per wedding. With around 262,000

weddings taking place in 2012 (that’s one marriage or civil ceremony every two minutes), it’s fair to say that the wedding business is a lucrative market to be part of.

But as any good party retailer will agree, stylish stationery and unusual décor are an increasingly popular way of getting all of the bang for less of the buck as the market sees an rise in low-cost but increasingly creative weddings for those who still want a chic, elegant affair which reflects their personal style but don’t have a never-ending budget.

So what’s in store for the wedding market in 2015? Amscan has a stunning range of colour co-ordinated decorations, confetti and favour boxes which are perfect for wedding celebrations. “Fluffy decorations and bunting are popular décor preferences at the moment,” said marketing executive Charlotte Cox, “especially those which follow the shabby chic and vintage trends.”

Adding a personal touch where possible also adds special apeal to the décor – and Amscan’s paper

pennant banners which can be personalised with a message are proving popular as a result. “Key colour themes include

pale and bright pink, robin’s egg blue and lilac which look great on

their own as a solid colour scheme or mixed and matched with other shades and neutral colours such

as black and white,” continue Charlotte. “The new range of colour co-ordinated items can also be combined with our solid

colour tableware range, making it ideal for evening buffets, allowing the happy couple to continue the colour scheme throughout the special event.”

Focus On: Weddings

BIG DAY

Fashion-forward wedding celebrations are becoming increasingly popular, with style-conscious couples taking inspiration from a whole host of different places, from pinterest-style shabby chic to over-the-top celebrity bling. The only thing most of them have in common is the overarching desire to keep costs down – and that’s where the party retailer comes into play...

Sweet TouchCandy buffets are an increasingly popular choice to create a spectacular visual display while keeping the children happy – as well as any adults with a sweet tooth! Delights Direct has a wide variety of jars, bags, scoops and more to display and serve the sweets and treats in.

The

Above: Ginger Ray’s Pastel Perfection range blends moderrn and vintage style. Left: Pam’s has celebration

balloons perfect for all occasions, weddings and ceremonies. Below: Wedding décor gets a makeover this season with a new line of balloons from Qualatex. The modern designs are

perfect for an elegant black-tie affair, yet versatile enough to co-ordinate with almost any colour scheme.

Below: Amscan’s candy buffet range.

37_39_Weddings.indd 37 30/03/2015 17:50

One of the most popular trend themes in the wedding market place at the moment is the ‘rustic’ feel. “Hessian material, brown craft paper, lace, twine and mason jars are all bought together to add the finishing touches to the wedding going for a vintage country feel,” explained Holly Forder. “On-trend colours for 2015 onclude mint and apricot, while white-washed birch and distressed wood effects are also extremely popular.”

Creative Party has taken these trends on board and coupled them with the chalkboard design style which can currently be seen across greeting cards, posters, street art and even t-shirts.

According to Ginger Ray’s Ben Spence, the tableware company has seen a consistent rise in vintage weddings as well as those looking for some ‘extra sparkle’. “The spend across weddings always seems to be on the rise, even with the crafters who want to do it all their own way,” he explained. “This year we have launched Pastel Perfection, which is a mix of pastel pinks and gold glitter to give that impactful on-trend theme. It’s ideal to use with vintage gold china and glasses.”

Pastels are proving popular right across the wedding party market, with the latest range from Neviti also featuring subtle pastel shades and

stunning wedding motifs of delicate love hearts, fluttering butterflies, tranquil doves and bouquets of flowers. “The new With Love range is perfect for adding a romantic flourish to wedding décor,’ said Cathy Locke, Neviti’s creative manager. The collection offers a selection of table accessories and decorations perfect for

spring/summer weddings as well as items perfect for the candy buffets which have become an increasingly popular wedding trend over the last few years.

“We are delighted with how successful the launch of our With Love collection has been,” Cathy said. “ Pretty new items include the floral confetti cones, delicate laser-cut place cards for glasses and cute co-ordinating favour bags perfect for creating thoughtful gifts.”

One particularly on-trend item

which Cathy is keen to highlight is the wedding wishes post box, which is available in both the new With Love collection and the best-selling Just My Type range. “The post boxes offer an excellent alternative to a guest book,” explained Cathy, “allowing guests to fill in the wedding wishes cards with messages and well wishes for the bride and groom, creating a unique and personal gift to keep for years to come.”

In addition to the wide selection of traditional and modern party tableware available, other add-ons such as party

bubbles, table sprinkles and ballloons are all still as popular as ever. Balloons in particular are one of the most popular decorations for a wedding and the range of latex and foil wedding balloons on offer at Pam’s increases year-on-year “Balloons play an important part in most weddings,” said sales director Carl Taylor, “whether they are being used as part of a low-cost wedding or a professional balloon decorator has been bought on board.”

In terms of balloon trends for weddings; floral designs add an elegant touch, while also remaining in line with the popular vintage trend and complementing any floral arrangements which might be on display.

With so many different lines on offer, from stylish stationery to bouncing balloons, there’s a whole world of possibilities for the creative party retailer looking to become part of the wedding market. All in the name of true love, of course!

Wedding Style“Festival-themed weddings seem to be on the rise, with lots of customers looking for flower head bands and accessories. Equally, photo booths at weddings are still incredibly popular, and for this reason funny accessories such as big glasses, fake moustaches, hats and wigs sell really well during wedding season.”Emma Angel, director, Angels Fancy Dress


Focus On: Weddings

Top left: Contemporary balloon designs from Betallic. Top right: Amscan’s favour lantern boxes incorporate an

intricate heart-shaped design. Above: These cute contemporary SuperShape bride and groom balloons from Amscan add a fun touch

to proceedings. Left: Neviti’s With Love range offers a delicate floral feel, perfect for vintage-style weddings.

Snap Happy

Photo Booths are also still the hottest trend for weddings, and all-in-one prop kits make things easy – some even have chalkboard props wich can be personalised. Novelty over-sized items like glasses and moustaches are also popular.

Inset and below: This rustic wedding design from

Creative Party comes complete with ‘Mr & Mrs’ banner and

personalisable chalk products.

Left: Creative Party. Above: Ginger Ray.

Below: Rasta Imposta

37_39_Weddings.indd 39 30/03/2015 17:49


While those of us on the wrong side of 21 might hope our birthdays

slip past without too much fuss, the same cannot be said for children. Many five-year-olds might not be able to count past ten, but they’ll be able to tell you exactly how many, months, weeks and days it is until their birthday party.

Parents are able to keep gatherings small while their children are little, but as soon as they begin attending other children’s parties, all bets are off! With kids asking for everything from themed fancy-dress parties to the more personal ‘home disco’, there has never been a wider range of children’s party products on the market.

“The kids’ party industry is obviously huge, and a large proportion of our sales are from kids’ products,” reported Emma Angel, director, Angels Fancy Dress. “Disney (and particularly Frozen!) remain hugely popular, but trends for 2015 are likely to include Cinderella, Minions, and Star

Wars. Older children seem to be dressing up more now, and the

demand for baby costume increases every year.”

As ever, licensed characters are sure to be a firm favourite

for children’s party themes in the coming year, with many celebrations taking their influence

from films and television programmes. “We have an extensive

collection of over fifty licensed children’s ranges

of partyware,” said Amscan’s marketing executive Charlotte Cox. “With balloons and accessories as well,

they offer a range of fantastic choices, although there is no doubt that the market has been

impacted by key licenses such as Frozen.” Charlotte also pointed out that popular

and bestselling themes still include the ‘classics’. “Pirate and princess themes remain strong, but these are also making way for other themes to come through – animals are becoming increasingly popular.”

Generic birthday designs and on-trend themes are something of a speciality for Creative Party, which launched 13 new children’s ranges this year, as Holly Forder explained. “By catering solely for the non-licensed market place, we are able to offer ranges which cover fairies, pirates, princesses, jungle animals, forest animals,

cupcakes, owls, transport and much more.”

Staying on top of these trends is key to ensuring your offering matches what parents and children are looking for. “Every year new ranges of children’s themed fancy dress and party supplies arrive in the Pam’s warehouse,” said Carl Taylor, sales director. “It is important that retailers keep up with the latest trends and licenses and by offering stock from a multitude of suppliers we are always aware of the newest and most popular ranges.”

The recent rise in popularity of themed fancy dress parties can be seen right across the board – it’s rare for a preschoolers’ birthday invite not to include the words ‘fancy dress optional’.

According to Bristol Novelty’s Geoff Rees, sales of children’s costumes have markedly increased in recent years. “We have had to widen the age range so that we also include toddlers and teens,” he explained. “And popular themes can change dramatically – we expect children’s hippy costumes to sell well this year. Major festivals are focusing on a ‘Summer of Love’ so there’s bound to be some parental influence exerted somewhere along the line!”

Children’s Parties

Dress-Up Demand“Dressing-up is still a big part of children’s parties and we have noticed that they do love to dress up as animals! There is still a huge demand for low-priced costumes, but the benefit of high quality costumes is that they last longer, so it’s possible to wear them more often. We tend to see that kids like to re-use their party costumes for a fun play date or a trip to the zoo!”Joyce Mallo, marketing and communication, Leg Avenue

Where would the party industry be without kids’ birthday celebrations? From themed dress-up events to classic jelly and ice-cream affairs, children’s parties are the lifeblood of the party industry. PPE takes a look at what’s in store for the childrens’ market in 2015?

The Big One“First birthday parties are always a popular occasion, with parents spending a lot of time planning and making the day perfect for their little one. They are willing to spend that little bit more to make the day memorable and want to create a matching theme across all areas of their celebration.”Cathy Locke, sales and marketing, Neviti

Down With

The KidsAbove: Betallic.

Above: In Character.

Below left: Magic By Freddy’s. Right: Bristol Novelty.

41_43_Childrens Parties.indd 41 30/03/2015 17:52


Down With The Kids

Mythical mermaids are a popular party theme, and this coordinating 38” microfoil supershape and 18” microfoil from Qualatex feature sparkly, holographic designs that make these balloons extra special.

One of the best selling childrens ranges for 2014/2015, these Frozen and Olaf party tableware and matching

decorations are selling fast at Pam’s.

The Let’s Play Police Kit from Palmer Agencies includes a truncheon, helmet, handcuffs and badge, while the Let’s Play Fire Chief Kit comprises a helmet, fire extinguisher and axe. Perfect for easy dress-up or even a role-play present.

Ahoy There! is a versatile nautical-themed range from Neviti which is perfect for

children’s birthday celebrations.

This ‘Little Leopard’ costume from Leg Avenue can easily be worn to any occasion, whether its a fancy dress party or not!

In keeping with the rise of the superhero movies due in 2015, Ginger Ray has released its second superhero

range, with pinwheels, balloons and juice labels.

Delights Direct has added many new children’s tableware themes this year, including this lovely first birthday range.

Following the recent Frozen 2 announcement, Rubie’s new range of Anna and Elsa dresses from the current animated short Frozen Fever will meet

the ongoing demand for all things frosty.

These new air-filled centrepiece kits from Creative Party are the perfect table decoration for a children’s party. Each contains one printed 18” balloon, three solid colour 6” star balloons, a 6” joiner stick and a foil fringe base.

These monster truck balloon designs from Betallic are perfect for children who like to make a BIG thing of their birthday!

Themed birthday celebrations are always popular, and with Frozen showing no signs of slowing down,

Amscan’s balloon range is ideal.

These new Owl-themed latex balloons from Amscan will brighten up any party setting, and are ideal for children of all ages.

Bristol Novelty’s Mexican poncho is perfect

for mini-Clint Eastwood look-a-likes. One size makes this children’s

poncho an easy choice for any fancy dress party.

Children’s Parties

41_43_Childrens Parties.indd 43 30/03/2015 14:14

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It’s one of the first things people think of when planning a party or celebration of any sort – will we provide food? And if

so, what sort? Buffet? High tea? Barbeque? Whichever menu is selected, it’s unlikely that the hosts will choose to serve their guests with fine bone china – and that’s where the wide range of partyware now available on the market has become increasingly useful.

Paper tableware (and matching accessories) has become increasingly popular over the last few years, with busy lifestyles meaning there is less time for preparation, planning and tidying up.

Just a few years ago patterned plates and tableware were seen as the sole preserve of children’s parties or themed events, but the market has changed dramatically as crafters and other style-led consumers refuse to let affordable simply mean boring. Now, it seems that plain white paper bowls simply won’t do.

Design-led partyware companies have watched the evolution of this trend closely and in reponse have focused on their in-house design, borrowing heavily from the design trends consumers are choosing in other areas such as greeting cards, high-street fashion and home décor.

“There has definitely been an increased demand for disposable tableware,” said Cathy Locke, creative manager at Neviti. “Particularly the ‘additional’ items which co-ordinate with the tableware, such as invitations, thank

you cards and decorations. These all allow customers to plan their celebrations fairly effortlessly, which is ideal when there are so many other things to organise!”

Current highlights include the new Fancy That range which is ideal for spring and summer celebrations, with its vibrant and fresh colour palette with shades of pink, green and blue and its charming butterfly, rose and polka-dot design. The collection includes a wide offering of pretty tableware and party essentials.

Neviti’s other popular collections for this season include the colourful Little

Owls range, which has cute illustrations and two colour themes, making it perfect for baby showers, birthdays and first birthday parties, and the Guess How Much I Love You range, which

Focus On: Tableware

There were plenty of new tableware ranges in evidence at Spring Fair, catering for occasions from sophisticated summer tea parties to bonny baby showers and everything in-between. As party tableware becomes increasingly design-led, Progressive Party takes a look at the latest trends which can be found in this popular area of the market.

A Fresh Feel“The design of tableware is really important, and it is encouraging that so many manufacturers have brought in new designs for generic occasions this year. It has enabled us to add freshness to all the main themes. We find that bold and simple often looks best. We’ve added lots of new tableware themes this year – it is very important for us, that’s why we stock so many different ranges.”Stuart Wheeler, Delights Direct

Time To EAT!

Below: Delights Direct have added many on-trend tableware themes, such as Chevron Divine.

Right: Amscan’s new Dots and Chevrons tableware range is perfect for garden and summer parties, available in six vibrant colours.

Left: Bright colours and retro themes are key for Pam’s this season.

45_47_Tableware.indd 45 30/03/2015 14:15

features beautiful illustrations from one of the world’s bestselling picture books. “It’s perfect for customers looking for something more delicate,” said Cathy.

According to Helen Hornsby from Talking Tables, grown-up parties are becoming more complicated, and so cutting down on the washing up is always going to be welcomed. “Following the return of Masterchef, the continued success of Come Dine With Me and the huge popularity of the Great British Bake Off, younger generations are now choosing to entertain at home,” she explained.

To cater to this new, younger customer base, Talking Tables has designed Party Time, an on-trend collection of fashionable party tableware. “Nostalgia is key to this trend, and we have incorporated traditional and youthful products to make this range super fun,” continued Helen. “Who says party hats and hooters are just for kids!”

Helen also expects tropical products and prints to be a key theme for 2015 summer tableware, as the theme works for many occasions, including birthday celebrations, summer BBQs and cocktail parties. “We are expecting to see a particular trends for pineapples, which add colour and shape, contrasted with rustic materials – materials such as bamboo and burlap will feature heavily as table runners,” she predicts. “Tropical prints, gold metallics and ombre effects will be popular – whatever the weather is like this summer, we’ll all be taking our inspiration from Mexico and Brazil!”

Talking Tables’ Tropical Fiesta

collection includes canapé plates, cocktail umbrellas, colourful bamboo mats and pineapple honeycombs – essential party pieces to create a fun and trendy look for any summer soirée.

“Key to this market is keeping things fresh and updating our offering,” explained Creative Party’s Holly Forder. “Design-led imagery is absolutely key to the tableware market, and so we are bringing some of the new trends coming through from the stationary, greetings cards, and homewares markets to the party market.”

“This includes making the most of trends such as chalkboard, craft paper and metallic / foil accents,” Holly continued, “all of which are all present in our new ranges for 2015. Tableware is a fashionable market and we pride ourselves on coming up with innovative new ranges to meet that demand.”

Tableware is also particularly popular for children’s parties, as, in addition to being great value and easily disposable, it also helps create a fun theme for the celebration. Although the younger consumer is often more concerned about the character they want to see on their paper plates and napkins!

“Licensed character ranges are still highly sought-after,” explained marketing executive Charlotte Cox, “and Amscan has some exciting new additions for 2015, including Fireman Sam, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions and My Little Pony.”

As important as the licensed lines are, generic designs need to be constantly refreshed if they are to remain modern and on-trend. “For general entertaining

the trend for dots and chevron patterns remains a key theme,” continued Charlotte. With this in mind Amscan has launched a new tableware range in six bright colours

which can then be coordinated with its solid colour range, while an assortment of clear and coloured plastic glasses add a touch of sophistication to any occasion.

As a wholesaler, Pam’s is able to pick and choose the ranges it carries and is finding that as more people are having home-made celebrations, larger ranges and more varied types of party

tableware are required. “As more and more people are making the decision to party and celebrate at home the need for alternative disposable tableware increases,” explained sales director Carl Taylor.

“In the past it may have just been children’s parties and larger functions which used throw-away cups and plates but now our ranges have increased to all types of gatherings and themed parties.”

Pam’s finds that milestone birthday ranges and children’s themed tableware ranges are always popular, but also finds that patterned ranges such as polka dots and patterns are also selling well. “For more elaborate celebrations brightly-coloured and funky disposable tableware is the latest trend for adult parties,”continued Carl. “Decade-themed designs are proving popular so far this year.”

Many of these ranges – from delicate florals to children’s characters to bold party themes – are easy to co-ordinate with other party items. To that end, the savvy party retailer can pick and choose which lines to carry, creating a unique mix-and-match partyware collection. It’s time to get creative!


Focus On: Tableware

Above: Talking Tables’ Party Time collection features geometric patterns such as chevrons and uses quirky patstel shades to balance the metallic punches.

Neon NightsAs far as trends go, Ginger Ray’s Ben Spence says that: “We have just launched our new Neon Birthday party range, which is ideal for high-impact teen parties and for on-trend 20-somethings. The range combines bright pom poms and impactful tableware to give a wow factor. Paper products still continue to thrive and unusual paper decorations remain a key trend for 2015.”

Left: Creative Party’s chalkboard-themed birthday collection is on-trend for 2015. Right: Tropical Fiesta from Talking Tables includes pineapples, bold colours and big prints.

Above: Neviti’s Fancy That range features classic florals in fresh colours. Right: Ginger Ray’s Neon Birthday.

45_47_Tableware.indd 47 30/03/2015 14:16

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Best sellers

Progressive Party finds out what’s been finding its way into party bags and fancy dress wardrobes over the last few weeks.

CATEGORY MANUFACTURERS/RANGES COMMENT

Euro Costumes & Party Goods Sarah McNicholl / OldhamCompany set up at the beginning

of 2014, selling fancy dress and party products online.

Adult Costumes Rubie’s licensed, Amscan everyday

The most popular Rubie’s lines are Spiderman, Star Wars, Despicable Me and Flintstones. Amscan hits include classics like the 60/70s, Egyptian, pirates and nuns.

Children’s Costumes

Rubie’s licensed, Amscan and Melissa & Doug everyday

Key licensed brands such as Iron Man, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Disney are selling well from Rubie’s. Amscan is all about cute animals and pirates! Melissa & Doug’s astronaut is a best-seller across the career role play range.

Accessories NX Flag We stock flags and bunting for England, Scotland, Wales, Spain and Brazil and they always sell well.

Balloons Big Party, Italy A wide range of latex and foil balloons as well as sky lanterns, all new to the UK.

Partyware Big Party, Italy Fresh, on-trends ranges for both kids and adult celebrations. There is also a candle range which is the largest in Europe!


CATEGORY MANUFACTURERS/RANGES COMMENT

Footloose & Fancy Free Kate Nicholls / Plymouth

Adult Costumes Smiffy’s, Fun Shack The 80s costumes have been most popular, without a doubt. It must be a lot of people having their 40th birthdays!

Children’s Costumes

Smiffy’s Book week was ok – there was no massive rush really. Lots of people came in at the last minute in a panic though.

Accessories Bristol Novelty Masquerade masks and Venetian masks in particular always do really well for us. They’re a great extra purchase. People like to buy add-ons – like hats etc – if they don’t want to go the whole hog.

Anything Else? Smiffy’s, Snazaroo Make-up has been really popular over the last year or so as people get more creative and hands-on.

Small high street shop, selling fancy dress and dance accessories.

Big Party

Melissa & Doug,

Bristol Novelty,

Fun Shack

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