Retailers looking to stock their shelves with quality party supplies face challenges in finding quality suppliers with decent prices and a wide selection. The more you can purchase party supplies in bulk, the better your margins will be. Yet, you want to have the option to purchase some items in smaller quantities when you don’t have room to store them or adequate demand to move them.

The challenge is, finding wholesalers offering options to purchase 100 units of one item and just five of another. 

Learn what every retailer needs to know about bulk purchasing party décor and supplies to run a successful business.

Party Supplies in Bulk Tips for Retailers

As a retailer, you know that the more items you buy at once, the better the price generally is for the products. And the better per-unit price you pay, the larger your margins will be when you sell it to your customers.

Getting supplies at bulk discounts can also enable you to provide larger discounts to your customers during certain times of the year to generate new customers with discounts and specials without taking a loss on the item.

Whether you operate a small convenience store or you’re looking to become the go-to party store in your community, here are some tips for managing bulk party supply purchases for your retail location.

1. Start with Staple Products

When purchasing in bulk, consider your most needed supplies. Start with common items, such as balloons and tableware. A party isn’t a party without a few balloons. You know these products will move at your store and you can buy them in bulk with confidence knowing you won’t have to clear them out at highly discounted prices later in the year.

Spend some time getting to know your customers. Learn their habits, and understand the seasonality in the party supply industry. This will help you stock common party supplies every customer wants.

2. Buy Seasonal Products Cautiously to Start

Retailers can’t be certain how seasonal products will move at their stores at first. Proceed with caution when buying these products and start small with your first order. When you work with wholesale party supplies websites that have no minimum purchase requirements and fast turnaround times for orders, you can count on getting additional supplies if you find that the seasonal products move quickly.

3. Be Careful with Trending Products

You need to stay relevant in the party supply industry and provide products that your customers want. But stocking products that are too trendy can present challenges because you don’t know how much demand there is in your area for such products.

Just like with seasonal products, start small with trending products. See how well they move in your store and reorder as needed.

4. Consider Your Resources

Depending on the size of your store, its staffing and inventory management process, you might be better off keeping your party supplies inventory to the most common items people look for. That way, you keep your costs for managing your store low while maximizing your sales.

Stocking too many items will require hiring an assistant to help track and manage the store. And while that growth can be a good thing, you just have to be certain you’re ready for it financially.

5. Get the Word Out

Offering a new product or entire product category, such as party supplies, can bring new traffic to your store. But you have to put some effort into letting your community know that you have a new product available.

Market your party supplies to help generate traffic to your store. You can start with free and low-cost opportunities.

• Share on your social media channels.
• Send out an email to your customer list.
• Post in Facebook groups within your community and share photos of your stocked store.
• Work with local influencers with a large following in your community. While you’ll need to pay the influencer, it can be money well spent if the audience aligns well.
• Send it out to local news stations and see if you can get a feature article about your store and what it offers.
• Ask for referrals from existing customers. At the checkout, let them know the items are new and that you need help spreading the word to keep stocking them.
• Hang signs in your store windows announcing the products. This also has a cost associated with it but if you purchase generic signs announcing party supplies, you can use them for many months and build greater awareness in your community for what you offer.

6. Choose Manufacturers Carefully

Shop around and get test products or products in small quantities before ordering in bulk. You don’t want to find out that a product doesn’t meet your standards after ordering hundreds of the items that you’re now stuck with or that you lose shipping expenses on. 

Some manufacturers offer samples while others allow you to purchase products in small quantities to get started. Evaluate your options before buying in bulk.

Why SoNice Party Is Your Go-to Party Supplies Wholesaler 

If you’re looking for cheap party supplies in bulk savings and selection from online retailers, look no further than SoNice Party. 

The products you’ll find on the site are quality, unique and affordable to help your business thrive. Getting started with a wholesale account is simple. Sign up and we’ll review your application to get you started. Once approved, you can view the competitive pricing and start stocking your store with unforgettable products and party staples.

The site has no minimum purchase requirements, making it simple to stock your store with everything you need to become the retailer of choice in your area.

Review these wholesale party categories that customers love from SoNice Party.

Balloons

You’ll find quality balloons in both latex and foil to meet your customers’ needs. With everything from birthday party balloons to retirement and holiday designs, you’ll find what you need to manage your retail location.

Birthday

Help your customers prepare for birthday parties with cake toppers, birthday candles, party decorations, invitations, banners, and more. The wholesale birthday section on SoNice Party’s website is stocked with a variety of items that will make your store memorable. And the prices are right to help you turn a profit with the products. 

Garlands

A highly sought-after party decoration item is garlands. These can be the focal point for a party. Offer customers balloon garlands or paper garlands to mark their special occasion and serve as a backdrop. Shop our wholesale garlands section for ideas. 

Sign Up for a SoNice Wholesale Account Now

Create a wholesale account now. Once approved, you’ll get the chance to review pricing and start planning what to stock in your retail store. We look forward to serving you.

Further reading:

• The 20 Most Popular Party Themes for Kids and Adults
• Where to Find Party Decorations for Men
• Your Complete Guide to Table Decoration Ideas for Parties
• The Party Planning Checklist Used By Top Event Planners