In just over a month, it’s that time again! On Sunday 25 and Monday 26 January 2026, the pet care industry will gather at Kortrijk Xpo for the 24th edition of ANIDO, the leading trade fair for pet care professionals from the Benelux and Northern France. With more than 160 exhibitors, this edition promises to be the biggest ever. For Pet & Garden Pro, this is the perfect occasion to sit down with Erik Lambrecht, Chairman of the ANIDO Steering Committee, and look ahead to the event.
“We’ve all had a challenging year. During my many business trips for my role at Versele-Laga, I often saw confirmation that we live in an increasingly polarized environment. Differences between groups and opinions are often exaggerated, leading to a pronounced ‘us-versus-them’ mentality. This reduces room for nuance, widens gaps between viewpoints, and makes dialogue harder. It creates tensions and conflicts in society and does not foster consumer confidence. Think of the many wars, Trump’s tariffs, and other geopolitical factors. On top of that, the overall economic context is far from rosy, adding to consumer uncertainty. After the boom during the Covid period, we’ve now returned to 2019 levels in terms of pet ownership and related spending. Meanwhile, general costs—such as wages, IT, logistics, and insurance—have risen sharply for manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers alike. Stricter regulations for the industry, wholesalers, and pet stores add another significant cost factor
“As the ANIDO Steering Committee, we’re delighted with the growth in exhibitor numbers and the fact that we’ll surpass 160 stands. In challenging times, many manufacturers and suppliers—rightly—look for new customers and better or alternative distributors. That’s the main reason for this significant increase. In addition, ANIDO remains a fair that innovates, prospects in time, and relies on a strong team. This ensures visitors leave with a positive feeling. The previous edition’s visitor satisfaction score of 8 out of 10 is living proof,” emphasizes Erik Lambrecht.
Pet & Garden Pro: For pet store owners, it’s been a dynamic year, with consumers being cautious—especially on accessories. Why is it so valuable for pet care entrepreneurs to visit ANIDO now and discover new opportunities?
“In recent years, the distribution and retail landscape has changed dramatically. Think of the major market share taken by e-commerce, the further scaling of integrated specialty stores, and the rise of business models where some manufacturers sell directly to consumers. Everything moves faster, and end consumers find vast amounts of information and product experiences online. In the future, artificial intelligence will play a major role in this. Given the rapid evolution, increasingly demanding consumers, and emerging trends, every pet store must regularly evaluate itself, its approach, and its assortment critically. Only then can they keep pace with the market and even outperform. Key questions to ask during this introspection include:
On that last point: entrepreneurs with in-depth knowledge of animals and their sale can achieve up to 15% extra turnover in a full-service pet store. In my view, ANIDO—with its wide range of product categories and services—is the perfect platform to find answers to these questions and challenges. It’s also the ideal place to meet colleagues, exchange experiences, and inspire each other. Plus, the ‘Meet The Experts’ initiative highlights key trends and opportunities. This helps pet stores evolve into true ‘experience & expertise shops,’ where professionals advise and guide increasingly demanding consumers. That’s the biggest advantage specialty stores have over mass retail. Visiting ANIDO offers great added value, which is why pet stores should mark 25 and 26 January in their calendars,” says Erik Lambrecht.
Erik Lambrecht concludes with a word of thanks:
“On behalf of Kortrijk Xpo and the ANIDO Steering Committee, I want to thank all exhibitors. They always present innovative and exciting concepts at ANIDO, enriching the market and offering concrete added value for the daily management of a pet store. This approach consistently brings renewal and drive to our pet sector! And of course, ANIDO would be nothing without its visitors. So, 5,000 thanks to all pet stores and pet care entrepreneurs who visit the fair every two years,” concludes Erik Lambrecht.