Party City is shuttering stores due to a global helium shortage

Party City's future is a little up in the air amid a global helium shortage.
The party supply company announced Thursday that it will shutter 45 of its 870 stores, reports USA Today. This comes as the retail giant faces a growing demand for balloons despite a record low helium supply. Nearly 75 percent of the world's helium comes from only three locations — and with much of that supply going to the medical and aerospace industries, helium for party balloons has become less of a priority, writes USA Today.
"We're working to replenish the helium at the affected stores as more supply becomes available," wrote Party City in a statement. "Despite this helium hiccup, Party City is committed to helping you to throw an unforgettable party."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Party City has been steadily shrinking for years. In a statement, Party City's CEO James Harrison says the retailer closes 10 to 15 stores annually.
It's not only balloons that are taking the hit. Scientists told USA Today the global helium crisis will eventually impact crucial MRI scans, magnets and other life-saving medical devices. For now, the news just means Party City will have to encourage party planners to stick with confetti.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 unusually elusive cartoons about the Epstein files
Cartoons Artists take on Pam Bondi's vanishing desk, the Mar-a-Lago bathrooms, and more
-
Lemon and courgette carbonara recipe
The Week Recommends Zingy and fresh, this pasta is a summer treat
-
Corbynism returns: a new party on the Left
Talking Point Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's breakaway progressive party has already got off to a shaky start
-
Dollar faces historic slump as stocks hit new high
Speed Read While stocks have recovered post-Trump tariffs, the dollar has weakened more than 10% this year
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off