Disposables, novelties create a party theme

Party givers have an enormous selection of disposable decorations and novelties available to make events fun and memorable. There are staple items suitable for any party, plus a wide array of table coverings, paper and plastic plates, glasses, signs, posters, hanging displays and cutouts for birthdays, weddings, anniversary events and seasonal holidays. Also available are gag items such as black "over the hill" plaques for aging honorees. Many rental centers have found such disposables are an easy way to add to sales income when renting party goods.

Disposable party items are purchased by individuals and families, small businesses, large corporations, event planners, catering companies, wedding consultants, schools, churches and other institutions - literally any person or organization having a special event. Most hosts and event organizers rent equipment for parties and special functions and also purchase a variety of disposables.

Some popular party sale items are tablecovers and skirts; plastic table covering in rolls; paper napkins; paper and plastic plates, cups and flatware; placemats; aisle runners; candles and candleholders; flags; pennants; confetti; noisemakers; blowouts; streamers; cutouts; centerpieces; hanging decorations; pompons; party hats; masks; costumes and accessories; posters; novelty gifts, awards and ribbons; ticket rolls; crepe streamers and invitations.

The availability of party items from other sources can affect the sales volume of disposables at a rental store. A rental center may not want to compete with nearby party or paper goods outlets that often offer disposable goods at extremely low prices. On the other hand, many small and medium-sized towns and cities have no discount retail businesses that carry party goods, so disposable sales for these rental centers can be extremely profitable.

"Disposables can be very lucrative for rental centers," said Marijane Veazey, party and wedding consultant at A.R.A. member Bill Veazey's Party Store in Oklahoma City. "The markup is good. We used to carry more disposables than we do now. Today there are several paper and party stores within two miles of our location, and they can sell at lower prices. We have caterers who rent from us and ask us to provide disposables, and we do that as a service. We sell a lot of aisle runners. Wedding customers buy a lot of disposables. Many are impulse items. If they see them, they decide to buy. The opportunity for rental centers to sell disposable wedding items depends on the stage of planning customers are in when they arrive to reserve their rental items. If they haven't already bought disposables, they often purchase them where they rent. However, often they already have bought disposables from another source."

Rental centers offering disposables will find in-store displays helpful so browsing customers may see what is available. Many impulse purchases are made simply because customers see goods and find them appealing.

"We sell a lot of disposables - paper and plastic, plates and cups, rolls of tablecovering, round table covers. They are naturals," said Bill Wienken, co-owner of Class Act Party Rentals in Tulsa, Okla. "When a customer rents several hundred tables and asks whether we can provide covers, I say, sure. Our pricing is competitive. With disposables, we operate a low margin - about 29 percent markup. For wedding disposables, we have a display. Customers can see what's available while they are looking at rental items.

"It's all about one thing: service. Disposables are another way of serving our customers," he added. "The same items are available elsewhere, but if we provide the best possible service, customers want to come back, and we want our customers to return next time they have a need."

Upscale event planners often prefer to use more elegant linen, china and flatware, and more expensive paper and plastic disposables. Paper and plastic table coverings and disposable plates and cups are popular with the customers who want to keep costs low.

"Caterers love banquet tablecover rolls, easy-stick table skirts and round table covers," said Bill Zimmermann, corporate marketing manager at A.R.A. associate member Converting, "Special Occasion," Clintonville, Wis. "Self-adhesive table skirts save time, because tables can be skirted without using pins or clips. They have perfect, uniform pleats that dress up tables and buffets. Our round tablecovers are available in plastic and tissue/poly, which offers a linen-like tissue surface and waterproof plastic back."