The record-breaking PATS 2026 at NEC Birmingham came to a triumphant close on Tuesday, with exhibitors and visitors hailing a hugely successful three days of business, networking and new product discovery.
The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show maintained its momentum right through to the final day, with pet retailers and industry professionals continuing to pour through the doors to explore the latest products and innovations coming to market.
With more than 600 brands showcasing hundreds of new products, this year’s event proved to be the biggest PATS yet. The co-location with leading equestrian trade show BETA International, which took place on Sunday and Monday, added another dimension to the event, giving visitors even more to see and discover.
Adam Marsden, head of sales at Ancol Pet Products, said: “It has been an excellent show and we’ve met some quality visitors, both current and new customers. I was pleasantly surprised at how upbeat people have been, creating a tremendous buzz around the hall.”
That view was echoed by Su-Bridge Pet Supplies, which celebrated its 50th anniversary at the show with a special drinks reception on its stand. National sales manager Lynne Hopwood said: “Our stand has been busy throughout and we’ve been able to celebrate our birthday with others in the trade. And to top it all, we won a New Product Award.”
It was also a memorable PATS for Hound Hose, which picked up a New Product Award after making its trade show debut. Founder Maisie Osborne said: “This is our first ever trade show, and the feedback has been incredible. I created Hound Hose because, as a dog walker, I was cleaning muddy dogs every day and couldn’t find a washer that could keep up. To win this award genuinely means the world to me. I’m so grateful, and I can’t wait to see where Hound Hose goes from here.”
The expanded Grooming Zone was another major attraction throughout the three days, with an extensive programme of demonstrations, talks and Q&A sessions delivered in partnership with the British Isles Grooming Association. BIGA director Paula Bryan said the response from visitors had been extremely positive. “We wanted to give retail teams the knowledge to discuss grooming with authority on the shop floor,” she said. “We covered everything from coat types and product selection to welfare-focused practices and the skills that keep customers coming back. We’re really happy with the response – it has been a very successful three days.”
Paula also confirmed that BIGA will be returning to the Grooming Zone when PATS returns next year.
The show received an equally warm reception from visitors, with retailers and industry professionals packing the aisles throughout the three days.
Thomas Rogerson, director of award-winning Wildwood Pets in Lincolnshire, spent two days at the show to make the most of everything on offer. “There was so much to see that my time here was well spent,” he said. “I also like taking advantage of the deals offered by suppliers. A show like PATS is important to retailers because it gives us the chance to touch and feel products – something you can’t do online.”
For John-Stephen Thompson, the show provided the perfect opportunity to source products for a new pet shop he is preparing to open. “I was impressed by the sheer scale of the show,” he said. “There were so many fantastic ranges on show I was spoiled for choice. I particularly liked how upbeat everyone was.”
It was also a first visit to PATS for groomers Kathy Wang and Jack Kong, who were impressed by the breadth of innovation on display. “We were very impressed with everything about the show,” they said. “It gave us a great opportunity to see all the new products. So much innovation goes on within the pet industry, and it’s great to see it all under one roof at PATS.”
With a record-breaking 2026 show proving so successful, the focus is already turning to the next edition – with the pet industry clearly ready for more of the same when PATS returns in 2027.
