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Dubai startup Hushday raises AED 2 Million to launch the Middle East’s first premium flash sales platform

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Dubai, UAE – As global luxury faces headwinds in key markets like China, and as consumer behavior across the GCC shifts toward value-driven, digital-first experiences, a new retail-tech player is emerging in Dubai to meet that moment.

Hushday, the region’s first premium, invitation-only flash sales platform, has raised over AED 2 million (USD $550,000) in pre-seed funding from regional tech investors. Its ambition: to create a new channel for luxury and premium brands to grow in the Middle East — with full control, brand integrity, and next-level performance.

While inspired by European models like Veepee (valued at over €4 billion) and Gilt in the US, Hushday is not a copy-paste. It’s a GCC-first model, built locally for brands and consumers who expect more: exclusivity, experience, and execution.

“We’re not here to patch a post-COVID inventory issue,” says Jennifer Cohen Solal, CEO & Co-founder. “We’re here to open a new, scalable path for growth — for brands who want to reach a younger, price-sensitive, digital audience, without damaging their equity. The demand is here. The region is ready.”

A Private Sales Model Built for Today’s Reality

Unlike traditional outlets or mass-discount platforms, Hushday was designed as a strategic distribution layer, where brands can activate curated drops in a brand-safe, high-conversion environment — and tap into valuable new audiences in the process.

The platform has already signed dozens of brands — from regional players to global names — and offers full control over pricing, visibility, and inventory strategy. Brands receive real-time analytics, customer insights, and dedicated onboarding support.

“This isn’t just about clearing stock,” adds Jean Thillaye du Boullay, COO and former Carrefour executive. “It’s about reaching a new audience with purpose — and turning each campaign into both revenue and retention. From curation to delivery, we handle the full experience with precision and speed.”

A Curated Experience for Customers — With Access at the Core

Hushday operates on a referral-only model, granting invited members access to limited-time sales across fashion, beauty, accessories, electronics, home, and leisure. Each drop is personalized, mobile-first, and designed to create a sense of rarity and excitement.

With up to 50 flash sales per month, loyalty rewards, and AI-powered recommendations, the experience is built to convert — while reinforcing desirability.

‘’ For our users, it’s not about discounts. It’s about access,” says Riad Djabri, CTO and former engineering lead at Doctolib. “We use tech to make the experience smarter — more personal, more seamless, and more rewarding. Our goal is to turn every flash sale into something that feels tailored, not transactional.”

Hushday stands out not just for its unique format but for how seamlessly it aligns with the region’s pulse, needs, and ambitions. Entirely based in Dubai and backed by local tech investors, the platform is tailored for the Gulf, offering a deeply relevant and timely retail experience. At the core of its operations is a fully robotized third-party logistics (3PL) system, ensuring end-to-end efficiency and excellence across the region. With the GCC’s premium off-price market expected to hit $6 billion, Hushday is stepping in with a bold, digitally native, and brand-safe model that’s designed specifically for this market—not borrowed from outdated global playbooks. “We’re not replicating what worked in Europe 10 years ago,” says Jennifer Cohen Solal. “We’re building what the Middle East needs now — with its own codes, pace, and expectations. And we’re doing it at scale.” After launching in the UAE this month, the company is already eyeing rapid expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, fully intent on tapping into the massive regional demand for smart, high-quality off-price retail.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Hushday’s founding team combines deep experience in fashion, e-commerce, tech, and operations—with a track record of scaling high-growth businesses in Europe and the Middle East.

Jennifer Cohen SolalCEO
With 15 years of experience in e-commerce, Jennifer has held leadership roles as Chief Marketing Officer for major fashion and tech brands, including some of Europe’s top private sales platforms. Before launching Hushday, she founded one of Paris’ most talked-about food startups—a digital-first brand that reimagined the world of French pâtisserie and made headlines for its bold, chef-led concept.

“We don’t believe in waste. We believe in reactivation. That’s the future of retail.”

Jean Thillaye du BoullayCOO
A retail and logistics expert, Jean spent a decade at Carrefour and Majid Al Futaim, managing over 1B AED in annual turnover and leading large-scale digital transformations. At HushDay, he’s driving the commercial & operational engine with a focus on excellence, cost control, and scale.

“Our role is to create a win-win channel: an off-price destination where brands can clear inventory without harming their image, while customers access coveted labels at exceptional value. It’s built on trust, desirability, and a seamless experience from click to delivery.”

Riad DjabriCTO
Riad is a former engineering lead at Doctolib, one of France’s top unicorns. With a strong product and tech background, he is now driving Hushday’s vision to become the next-generation retail platform for the GCC.

“Our ambition is to build a tech platform that evolves with the brands we serve — integrating AI, circularity, and real-time insights to create a smarter, more sustainable way to sell luxury. But we’re equally focused on the customer experience: making every flash sale more relevant, more personal, and more seamless for the people who matter most.”

ABOUT HUSHDAY

Hushday is the first premium private sales platform built specifically for the Middle East.
Founded in Dubai in 2024, the company offers luxury and premium brands a secure, high-conversion channel to manage excess inventory — while maintaining full control over pricing, image, and positioning.

The platform is invitation-only, operating as a curated destination where members access exclusive flash sales across fashion, beauty, accessories, home, electronics, and leisure. With up to 50 sales per month, Hushday delivers a mobile-first, gamified experience tailored to GCC consumers.

The platform will officially launch in the first week of May 2025 in the UAE, with plans to expand to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait in 2026. Backed by regional tech investors and powered by a fully automated logistics partner, Hushday combines premium retail standards with operational scalability — making it a strategic new growth channel for brands in the region.

Launching the 2nd of May 2025 in the UAE, Hushday is available by invitation only.

🔗 Join the waitlist: [www.hushday.com]
📸 Instagram: [@hushday_me]
📧 Media Enquiries:

Sudhashree Dash

0553498382

press@hushday.com

sudha@memc.co

As a trainee reporter and creative lead, I focus on curating engaging content and managing the social media presence for the company. I aim to connect audiences with relevant, impactful news through multiple digital platforms.

Announcements

Dubai Loop explained: What Elon Musk’s underground transport project means for city’s residents

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Getting around Dubai could soon become much faster and easier. The city has confirmed that work on the Dubai Loop, an underground high-speed transport system developed by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, is set to begin soon, starting in some of Dubai’s busiest areas.

The announcement was made by Matar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), at the World Government Summit.

The project aims to cut travel times, reduce traffic congestion, and make daily commutes smoother, especially in high-density districts.

So, what exactly is the Dubai Loop?

The Dubai Loop is a network of underground tunnels where electric vehicles will transport passengers directly from one station to another, without stopping in between. Think of it as skipping traffic lights, junctions and road congestion altogether.

Once completed, the system will span 24 kilometres and could move up to 20,000 passengers every hour, with plans to expand capacity even further in the future.

Where will it start?

The first phase of the project will launch in key areas that many residents already commute through daily:

  • Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
  • Dubai Mall area

These locations were chosen because they see some of the heaviest traffic in the city, especially during peak hours.

When is it happening?

According to Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), construction on the first phase will start immediately once contracts are finalised.

  • First phase: 6km (costing Dh600 million)
  • Total project: 24km (Dh2.5 billion)
  • Estimated completion: Around two years

How fast will it be?

Very fast. The vehicles inside the Dubai Loop could travel at speeds of up to 160km/h, meaning residents could move between major destinations in just minutes.

Why underground?

By going underground, Dubai avoids:

  • Road closures and surface disruption
  • Weather-related delays
  • Expensive road expansion projects

The tunnelling technology used is also cheaper and faster than traditional road construction, helping the city deliver infrastructure efficiently.

How will this help residents?

For people living and working in Dubai, the Dubai Loop could mean:

  • Shorter commutes in congested areas
  • Less time stuck in traffic
  • Better connections between business districts, malls and transport hubs
  • A smoother “first and last mile” journey to metro stations

The system is expected to serve around 13,000 passengers daily in its early stages, with numbers growing as the network expands.

Has this worked elsewhere?

Yes. A similar underground transport system already operates in Las Vegas, where it has carried more than 2 million passengers since 2021. Dubai’s version will build on that experience, adapted for local needs.

What’s next?

Dubai Loop is part of the emirate’s broader push towards smart, sustainable transport. If successful, the network could expand to more areas of the city, helping residents get from A to B faster, without adding more cars to the roads.

For Dubai residents, this could mark the beginning of a new era of stress-free commuting beneath the city streets.










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UAE NRIs can now own bigger stakes in Indian companies: Budget 2026 Doubles Investment Limits

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The Union Budget 2026-27 has opened up new opportunities for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) looking to invest and participate in India’s growth story. From equity ownership to real estate and tax incentives, here’s what NRIs need to know:

Higher Equity Ownership Limits

  • Individual NRI investors can now hold up to 10% in listed Indian companies, double the previous limit of 5%.
  • The aggregate NRI ownership limit increases from 10% to 24%, allowing greater influence in high-growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods.
  • This reform makes India’s capital markets more accessible and attractive for global Indian investors.

Simplified Real Estate Transactions

  • NRIs buying property from Indian residents no longer need a Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) to deduct tax at source, reducing compliance burdens.

Tax Incentives for NRIs

  • Five-year tax exemption for overseas income earned by NRIs visiting India under government-notified schemes.
  • Exclusion of certain non-resident businesses under presumptive taxation from Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT).
  • Time-bound relief measures for small taxpayers with foreign assets or legacy non-disclosures, enabling voluntary compliance.

Why It Matters

  • Increased ownership gives NRIs more influence and strategic control in Indian companies.
  • Simplified regulations reduce compliance headaches for both investments and real estate transactions.
  • Encourages deeper NRI participation in India’s fast-growing economy.

NRI Action Points:

  • Review your portfolio exposure and consider increasing stakes in Indian equities.
  • Work with financial advisors familiar with NRI rules to ensure compliance.
  • Diversify across sectors while monitoring currency and tax implications.

India is signalling confidence in the global Indian diaspora by making it easier to invest and participate in the country’s economic growth. NRIs now have a clear pathway to take a larger stake in Indian companies, own property with ease, and enjoy tax benefits, making this a pivotal moment for global Indian investors.

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Ajman to launch new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre under 2026 law

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Ajman has announced the establishment of a new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre, aimed at streamlining landlord-tenant disputes and strengthening stability in the emirate’s real estate sector.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026, formally creating the centre and replacing the existing rental disputes committee.

Clearer, Faster Rental Dispute Resolution

The new law introduces transparent and clearly defined mechanisms for reviewing and adjudicating rental disputes, with the objective of:

  • Protecting the rights of landlords and tenants
  • Enhancing confidence in Ajman’s property market
  • Supporting a stable and attractive investment environment

Jurisdiction and Scope

The specialised centre will have authority over all rental-related disputes between landlords and tenants, including:

  • Residential and commercial properties
  • Properties located within free zones

Cases will be handled using procedures aligned with recognised legal and judicial standards, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Boosting Market Stability

Officials said the new centre is designed to:

  • Speed up dispute resolution
  • Reduce litigation timelines
  • Ensure swift and effective justice

The move is expected to contribute to social and economic stability in Ajman’s leasing and real estate sector, while reinforcing investor confidence.






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