Julie was a full time solicitor before setting up her company. She came up with the idea whilst pregnant with her third child, as her friends and family in France wanted to send her gifts for the new baby, but could not do it easily in Dubai.
What is MyList.ae?
MyList.ae is an online platform that makes gift-giving easy for everyone. It’s the first online gift registry in the Middle East. Parents use our services to make sure they receive the baby gifts that they truly wish for. They are able to create a personal selection of gifts online and invite their guests to contribute from anywhere in the world. It is easy, flexible and best of all, free of charge for our clients.
Tell us the story behind it – how did you set it up?
When I arrived in Dubai five years ago, I was six months pregnant with my second boy. I was previously a finance solicitor and I set up MyList.ae after struggling to find a way for my friends and family in Europe to send me baby shower gifts from baby shop in Dubai.
Was there a gap in the market in the UAE?
Remembering how I had also used a similar registry for wedding gifts back home, I could not find any gift registry here that will allow online payments and decided to launch MyList.ae.
What stores do you include? Are they all UAE based?
We have now partnered with 75 partner stores and service providers in the UAE – including Galeries Lafayette The Dubai Mall, The White Company, BabySouk.com, DbBabies, Phil & Teds, Monsoon Children to name a few. With over 500 brands on offer, our clients are sure to find what they need and love; from traditional nursery furniture, prams, toys, to gorgeous fashion and family photoshoots!
Who are your customers?
Basically anyone who wants to create a wish list for a special occasion! Brides and grooms for their wedding, parents-to-be for the birth of their baby, but also friends and family who wants to spoil a relative for a birthday or housewarming party.
Baby showers seem to be getting bigger and bigger in the UAE – why do you think that is?
People in the UAE have always loved to celebrate and gather with friends. Celebrating the arrival of a baby and showering the mother-to-be with gifts is trendy nowadays and people want to create an event that looks like that. They are interested about decoration, give-aways, new themes. Everyone wants to create something unique, different and more impressive than the previous baby shower!
What’s the most expensive gift people have put on their list? And did someone buy it for them?
The most expensive gift was a donation to a gift registry for Dhs85,000. One of the mother’s relatives wanted to give her the choice to choose whatever she wanted within our partner stores. She did not expect it at all and was in tears when we called her.
What are the most popular items for baby shower lists?
Nursery essentials (like baby strollers, diaper bags, baby carriers), baby clothing, baby shoes and soft toys. Recently, we noticed that the mum is not forgotten as she is receiving spa treatments, fitness sessions, babysitting hours, maternity coaching and so on. A lot of people like also to offer a newborn photoshoot or video as it will save these cherished moments forever.
What are your future plans for MyList.ae?
Our success story convinced two eminent GCC investors to get on board a year ago. With their knowledge and experience in the region, Mylist is now exploring new markets. We opened our Qatar branch in May 2015, and will be expanding quickly to Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia. We are also launching a new version of the website at the end of the year and can’t wait to offer the latest technologies to our clients.
Courtesy Time Out Dubai
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