Fast-growing nationwide pet retailer Jollyes has been celebrating award success as it prepares to open its final two stores of 2024 in Reading and Hull.

Jollyes was named Pet Retail Chain of the Year at the PIF Awards after a year of growth that has seen it exceed £100 million turnover in FY2023, employ over 1,000 colleagues and put it well on the way to having 100 stores in early 2024.

And that progress was also recognised in the prestigious Retail Week awards just 24 hours later.

Jollyes was shortlisted in two categories that cover the whole of the UK retail sector.  At an awards ceremony scheduled for March 2024 it will take its place on the shortlist for both best retailer in the UK under £250m and best speciality retailer in the UK.

The award and nominations come as Jollyes prepares to open its final two stores of the year in Hull and Reading on 24 November.

Each of the flagship stores will employ a team of 12 to support it and feature a Raw Food shop-in-shop, Jolly Groomer and a Community Pet Clinic. 

The Reading store, at Unit 1B, Reading Gateway, Imperial Way, Reading, RG2 0TD will be managed by Emily Palethorpe and her dog Rolo.  Emily joins Jollyes after manager roles at Tesco and Vision Express.

The Hull store at Unit 4B Kingswood Retail Park, Althorp Road, Hull, HU7 3DA will be managed by Ross Hall who moved to the UK from Australia 17 years ago and has spent his whole career in Britain working in, and managing, pet stores.

Jollyes chief executive officer Joe Wykes paid tribute to the team after a remarkable 24 hours.

“It’s humbling to even be mentioned alongside other great retailers, but credit for these awards and nominations goes to the whole Jollyes team.

“They’ve put their heart and soul this year into developing ranges, opening stores and serving customers with real pace and innovation.

“I’m privileged to call them my colleagues and am excited about what we’ll continue to achieve as we bring the service and value Britain’s pet parents rely on us for.”

The opening of the two new stores in Reading and Hull – the 97th and 98th in the UK – will mean Jollyes has opened 31 stores in just two years.