CIPS 2026 at 30: Looking beyond scale

When the 30th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2026) opens in Guangzhou from 12 to 15 November, it will mark more than an anniversary. The 2026 edition reflects how both the show and the global pet business have changed over the past three decades.

As supply chains continue to shift and retail channels become more fragmented, companies are becoming more selective about suppliers, product positioning and long-term partnerships. Trade shows are evolving as well, from product display platforms into spaces where buyers and suppliers compare capabilities, assess market direction and make business decisions.

Scale with structure

The 2026 edition will cover 120,000 square metres and bring together more than 1,400 exhibitors and over 80,000 professional visitors from 120+ countries and regions.

Scale remains important, but what increasingly matters is the structure behind it.

CIPS spans suppliers across dogs and cats, aquatics, reptiles, small pets, exotics and birds. More than 80% of exhibitors, including companies such as Wanpy, Petstar, COLLAR, Ethical Products, EHEIM and Tetra, are expected to have integrated design, R&D and manufacturing capabilities.

This matters as buyers look for suppliers that offer not only production capacity, but also product adaptability and smoother collaboration. Product discovery remains important, but supplier evaluation and sourcing efficiency are becoming just as central.

Knowledge alongside products

More than 40 concurrent activities will take place during CIPS 2026, including conferences, competitions, showcases and other industry events. This reflects a broader shift in buyer behaviour: companies are increasingly looking not only at products, but also at the market context behind them, from why demand is changing to where new opportunities may emerge.

A key highlight is the 2nd CIPS International Pet Industry Convention (CIPIC), which will be held on 11 November, one day before the show opens. Under the theme “Renewal: Toward Shared Growth”, CIPIC has been expanded into an executive-level closed meeting for core decision-makers across the pet supply chain.

Discussions will focus on changes in global supply chains, evolving collaboration between brands, manufacturers and channels, and how stronger long-term partnerships may shape the next stage of growth.

The aquatics sector forms another major pillar of the 2026 edition. The 3rd Aquatic Industry Convention, co-organised with Ornamental Fish International (OFI), will be held under the theme “Transforming the Aquarium Industry: Data, Technology and Retail Innovation.”

Topics will range from global trade dynamics and emerging markets to AI-driven aquaculture, social media-led demand and new omnichannel retail models. The programme will also include the OFI Global Aquarium Retail Awards, adding a stronger retail and commercial perspective to the discussions.

Together, these discussions reflect a broader reality: market insight is becoming increasingly tied to commercial decision-making.

Innovation, sustainability and value

Innovation and sustainability offer another view of where the market is heading.

As product cycles shorten and new launches accelerate, identifying meaningful innovation is becoming more challenging for buyers. The CIPS Innovation Award has been significantly upgraded for 2026, with a more structured approach to innovation assessment across pet and aquarium categories.

Together with the NEWⁿ New Product Showcase Zone, it helps buyers navigate new launches more clearly. The focus is not simply on novelty, but on products that demonstrate clear technical improvement, practical value and market relevance.

Sustainability is also evolving in a similar direction, with clearer standards and more measurable benchmarks. The 4th “Green Paw Prints, Love For Earth” initiative will feature an expanded showcase for exhibitors focused on lower-impact production and responsible sourcing.

Since its launch in 2023, participation in the initiative has grown more than fivefold, with overseas exhibitors joining for the first time in 2025, reflecting broader industry engagement with measurable sustainability practices. Selection is based on practical criteria such as carbon reduction, eco-friendly materials and waste reduction.

Thirty editions in, CIPS is no longer defined only by size. Its role increasingly lies in bringing together sourcing, market insight and industry dialogue in one place, reflecting a broader shift in what trade shows are expected to deliver.