Party Delights seals deal with US giant
PARTY Delights, the North West online retailer has completed a “strategic merger” with US giant PartyCity, it emerged today.
The fast-growing Irlam-based group, which recently launched a German website, was founded in 2001 by Mrs Graham after she struggled to find party clothes for her children.
Having originally based at family home, the company now has over 100 staff and sales of more than £12m.
Mrs Graham said: “We have had a very exciting 12 years growing the business and are delighted to be taking the next stage of our development with such a strong partner”.
The company was advised on the deal by Andy Strickland of Clearwater Corporate Finance, Barney Leaf of Laytons Solicitors and David Symonds of UHY Hacker Young.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Party Delights, was owned by Mrs Graham, her husband Steve, along with technology director Paul Shuttleworth.
As well as operating its core website it operates a fancy dress website, several white label sites for other retailers including Tesco, and has signed a licence with X-factor boyband One Direction to produce personalised cards, invitations and banners.
Based in New Jersey, PartyCity is America’s largest specialty party goods chain and operates more than 700 company-owned and franchise stores throughout the US and Puerto Rico.
