A significant transformation is unfolding in how societies nurture and invest in the next generation, reshaping family life, consumer behaviour and the global economy. In the UAE Year of the Family, retail futurist Jack Stratten highlights a new family-first economy emerging across the GCC and discusses how shifting demographics and the rise of “premium parenting”, as well as economic pressures, regional disruption and changing expectations of safety, wellbeing and stability are reshaping consumer priorities, trust and spending. Looking ahead, Jack explores why the children’s economy may be uniquely positioned to lead through uncertainty, and how the businesses that understand families’ changing needs can turn disruption into innovation, opportunity and long-term growth.
The baby and kids category is evolving from a product-led market into a connected ecosystem spanning retail, healthcare, education and digital services all competing to build lifelong trust with families. As the industry shifts from single transactions to 10-12-year customer lifecycles, leaders must rethink their role in the ecosystem and the strategies that will sustain growth. This panel brings together C-suite voices to explore who truly owns the parent relationship, how commerce, care and education are converging, and what success looks like when lifetime value, data-driven personalisation and community-led models define the next era of kids retail in the GCC.
Through the case of Cybex’s recent expansion into the Middle East, this fireside chat explores how innovation, safety and trust intersect in a rapidly evolving industry. Join Irfan Porbanderwalla as he shares insights on how the company balances pioneering design and technology with regulation and parental confidence – showing what responsible growth looks like in practice.
What are families prioritising now? Where are they still willing to spend? Which behaviours are temporary responses to disruption, and which represent longer-term shifts? This session brings together fresh market insight and on-the-ground commercial experience to explore what has changed, what is already recovering, and what the latest consumer behaviour tells us about the future. From value and premiumisation to online versus offline shopping, category priorities and the growing influence of different decision-makers within the household, our panellists examine how parents and caregivers are navigating the new consumer landscape.
This session explores the latest toys and trends in play-based learning, from in-demand STEAM toys nurturing creativity and technical skills, Montessori-inspired designs encouraging exploration and independence, to culturally rooted toys celebrating heritage and identity. Discover how to integrate these global and local approaches to create impactful, engaging products for young minds.
Innovation in baby and kids retail is moving beyond products, transforming how families shop, learn and connect. From AI-driven personalization, rapid-delivery models, and immersive omnichannel experiences, industry leaders will dive into the technologies reshaping customer experiences and revenue models. Join the conversation on how retailers, brands, and startups can harness partnerships, balance convenience with trust, and define the future of family-focused retail in the GCC.
Explore the future of retail with experiential destinations that go beyond traditional shopping, blending learning, play and personalised services. Discover how play-and-purchase environments, designed with inclusivity in mind, foster long-term loyalty, while community engagement extends into creating a parental support ecosystem. From sensory-friendly spaces for neurodiverse families to shifting focus from inventory to experiences, this session will reveal the strategies reshaping retail for the next generation.
As families across the Middle East redefine what it means to raise the next generation, demand is accelerating for sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious solutions across children’s fashion, toys, nutrition and wellness. This session explores how a new generation of parents is reshaping the baby and kids market, where eco-friendly choices and holistic wellbeing have evolved from trends into the driving forces of trust, loyalty and sustainable growth.
Discover the founders shaping what’s next for baby & kids.
A fast-paced showcase of the sector’s most exciting emerging entrepreneurs, pitching innovative products, services and concepts to a panel of leading industry experts and decision-makers.
For founders, it’s a chance to gain exposure, expert feedback and valuable connections with potential partners, retailers and investors. For investors and industry leaders, it’s a front-row view of the emerging brands, technologies and ideas poised to disrupt the market.
One standout winner will receive free listings on Mumzworld, plus additional marketing support to accelerate their brand.
Discover the next big idea. Meet the founders behind it.
Setting the scene for the future of early learning in the UAE and the role of the industry in shaping outcomes.
Discover how the UAE is shaping a national vision for the aspirational child, recognising the earliest years, from pregnancy to age eight, as vital for wellbeing, learning, and growth. This keynote address will also highlight policies, partnerships and initiatives – including the Early Childhood Development Week and the Wellbeing in Education movement – that are creating stronger support for children and families, giving every child the best possible start in life.
Education in early childhood is being redefined in the UAE: through Dubai’s Quality Framework early learning is recognised as not only a social but also an economic priority. Hear how the focus on wellbeing and human development is helping set global benchmarks while nurturing a generation rooted in care, curiosity and community.
Education experts unpack what “excellence” truly means in early years education, and how to put it into practice. Building on insights from leading regulators as well as latest research, the panel will examine how quality can be defined, measured, and embedded across diverse settings to ensure every child thrives in their earliest years.
The earliest years of life set the foundation for a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Hear from our experts how coordinated support systems combining informed parents, skilled caregivers and evidence-based practices can nurture these crucial first stages and support every child to reach their full potential.
AI has the power to close the digital divide when used thoughtfully and responsibly. Join Mazen Abdallah, Head of Education – MENA, Google, to discover what roles educators, parents, and children need to play in responsible AI adoption, and why empowering teachers and educating families are key to ensuring that no learner is left behind.
This session explores the power of play-rich environments in supporting children’s development, wellbeing, creativity, and inquiry. It will consider how a range of curricular approaches honour cultural diversity, foster curiosity and thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while exploring how creativity, agency and a love of learning can be nurtured from the early years through to secondary education.
How can we create early years settings where great educators choose to stay and grow? In this engaging conversation, experts will share practical strategies for recruitment, career development and positive workplace culture, while showing how strong safeguarding practice builds staff confidence, professionalism and retention.
Running a successful early years setting requires more than a passion for education; it requires leaders who can turn vision into action, establish effective systems and make informed decisions that balance educational quality with long-term sustainability. Designed as a practical and focused session for early years leaders, this workshop explores three essential areas of successful nursery leadership:
Within the context of the UAE early years sector and with reference to KHDA’s Early Childhood Quality Framework, participants will explore practical strategies they can apply within their own settings. The session will encourage leaders to reflect on current practice, identify priorities for improvement and leave with simple, actionable approaches to strengthen leadership, operational effectiveness and overall nursery quality.
Accreditation: This session is delivered by PrepMe Learning Centre L.L.C., a KHDA-permitted training institute in Dubai, as part of its professional development offering for the early years sector. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon completion of the session.
This session will explore best practices in inclusive education, focusing on how early years settings can effectively support neurodiverse learners. Key topics will include inclusive classroom strategies, the importance of early identification and intervention, and the role of partnerships with specialists and families.
Community engagement lies at the heart of raising confident, resilient, and happy children. Rooted in the diverse cultural fabric of the GCC, this session highlights practical approaches for building inclusive, nurturing, and trusting learning environments and examines how safeguarding, cultural understanding, and strong home-school partnerships can foster collective responsibility and help every child thrive.
Harsha Prakash, Director at the Global Strategy Group (GSG), brings over 15 years of experience in strategy consulting. He specializes in strategy advisory within a deal context, supporting strategic investors, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds in evaluating opportunities across greenfield and operating ventures. His work spans commercial due diligence, growth strategy, market assessments and financial feasibility studies, all geared toward helping investors make confident, well-informed decisions. Harsha plays a vital role in shaping value creation strategies that drive sustainable growth. His diverse experience covers financial services, real estate, manufacturing, digital business models, food and agriculture across the GCC region and India.