By Zsarlene B. Chua, Reporter
PARTIES — OF ALL SORTS — can now ascend to whole new “Instagram-able” levels as London-based party supplies and stationery company, Meri Meri, has come to the Philippines by way of National Bookstore.
Considered the “Kate Spade New York” of party supplies (in the words of National Bookstore’s managing director, Xandra Ramos-Padilla, in a press statement), Meri Meri is a three-decade old company established in Los Angeles, California by Meredithe Stuart-Smith, whose childhood nickname was Meri Meri. It specialized in everything party supplies — from alphabet bunting, to party plates and cutlery, cookie cutters and even cupcake stands spread across four main themes: princess, dino, pirates, and metallic.
The brand also carries stationery items, such as greeting cards even your dad “might keep,” according to a NewsWeek article published June 2015, because of its pretty, sleek, designs.
“Actually — surprisingly — [the party needs segment in the Philippines] is starting to get bigger and bigger… since everyone’s posting stuff on Instagram, everyone wants an ‘Instagram-able’ party… that’s why we wanted to bring in items that are effortlessly Instagram-able,” Joy Santos, Meri Meri brand manager, said of National Bookstore’s decision to bring the brand in the Philippines during the launch on Aug. 31.
She added that they decided to bring in more Meri Meri party needs items than the stationery items as a testament to the growth of the said segment, but said that not National Bookstore branches will carry the brand. Selected “premiere branches” (such as Glorietta 1, Power Plant Mall-Rockwell, and SM Mall of Asia, among others) will be offering the items as Meri Meri costs a bit more than other brand’s confetti and balloons as it is “up market.”
“To tell you honestly, it’s not like something you can buy from Divisoria (Manila’s famous large public market),” she said.
The stores, including the Glorietta 1 branch, have allocated “party hubs” which will feature Meri Meri items alongside other party needs brands.
“It looks DIY so it doesn’t look like something you bought from somewhere else. It’s definitely of high quality and safe for kids’ use, including cutlery,” Ms. Santos said.
Meri Meri products are not exclusively for children’s birthday parties as Ms. Santos remarked that the products can be used for any parties one can think of. She thinks the brand “will be very big here in the Philippines.”
“Since we’re all very active on Instagram, people want stuff that are Instagram-able and Meri Meri is a guaranteed brand that gives high quality and the designs look DIY without giving you the hassle of creating it,” she said.
