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PIF Awards now open for entries

Pet Business World· June 27, 2026

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has officially opened entries for its 2026 awards program, inviting participation from across the global pet sector. The awards aim to recognize excellence in diverse categories ranging from manufacturing and retail to professional pet services. This initiative highlights the industry's commitment to innovation and high standards, providing a platform for both UK-based and international businesses to showcase their achievements.

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) has launched its 2026 awards cycle, offering national recognition for businesses and individuals across the entire pet industry spectrum. The program is designed to be inclusive, with categories covering manufacturers, brands, independent retailers, groomers, boarding establishments, and other service providers. Entries are free of charge and open to both PIF members and non-members, ensuring a broad field of competition that reflects the current state of the market.

To better align with evolving market trends, the PIF has introduced several changes to the award categories for the 2026 edition. A new International Business Award has been established to recognize achievements from non-UK pet companies, while the Legend of the Year Award replaces the former Lifetime Achievement Award to honor individuals with lasting industry contributions. Additionally, the Supplier Award has been rebranded as Brand of the Year, and the Online Business Award has been updated to E-Commerce Business of the Year to reflect modern retail terminology.

The 2026 awards are supported by several major industry players, with Natures Menu serving as the platinum sponsor. Other headline sponsors include Cliverton, The Animal People Recruitment Company, Mackle Petfoods, and Rosewood Pet Products. PIF Chief Executive Nigel Baker emphasized that the awards celebrate the innovation and commitment to high standards that drive the sector's success, noting that the revised categories were specifically chosen to ensure they genuinely reflect the diverse breadth of the industry today.

The culmination of the awards program will be a ceremony held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Stoke-on-Trent. This event serves as a key networking and celebratory milestone for the sector, allowing winners to tell their stories and gain industry-wide visibility. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their entries via the PIF website to be considered for these prestigious accolades.

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