Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, is hiring consultants as she looks for new backers to help her struggling online Party Pieces business.
Carole Middleton’s online party decorating company has hired consultants to look for new backers as it struggles with declining sales.
Party Pieces was founded by the mother of the Princess of Wales in 1987 alongside her husband, Michael, after she was looking for inspiration for Kate’s fifth birthday party.
However, the company has struggled over the recent festive period and reportedly became embroiled in a row with suppliers after experiencing a drop in customer spending due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Party Pieces has now assigned Interpath to advise on its strategic choices, according to the telegraph.
A company spokesperson said: “We are working with our advisors to secure additional investments that will help support the business as we look forward to embarking on the next phase of our growth plan.”
Carole Middleton’s Party Pieces business has hired consultants to look for new backers as it struggles with declining sales
On top of inflation affecting the company, Royal Mail strikes also caused delays in deliveries and previous Covid 19 restrictions meant fewer people were planning parties.
Originally created to provide affordable gifts for kids’ parties, Party Pieces expanded into the US last year in a deal with Saker ShopRite supermarket.
Carol visited several American stores to see their products for themselves, which appeared alongside their cartoon labels.
Last October, it was revealed that the company had made a loss of £285,506 in 2021, taking its total deficit to £1.35m.
This was reportedly the result of “continued investment in the company’s growth plans, including launching a wholesale division and opening up new territories in the US, Europe and the Middle East”.
The company’s recent struggles also come after Party Pieces launched a rewards system for customers to earn points by shopping in November.
The best-selling Party Pieces Collection features items such as plates, napkins, cups, hats, balloons, treat stands, and decorations.
The company is based at Child’s Court Farm in Yattendon, Berkshire, and employs around 40 people.
Carole and Kate Middleton photographed shopping in Chelsea in 2006