The NextGen: Industry Leaders Summit is where the future takes shape. This one-day, high-level conference brings together the key decision-makers and thought leaders defining the next chapter of the Baby, Child & Toy sector.
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 next wave of innovation in the baby and kids sector. This fast-paced, interactive session gives startups and emerging entrepreneurs the chance to pitch disruptive products, services and concepts to a panel of seasoned industry leaders. Executives will gain a first look at emerging trends, breakthrough technologies and market-ready solutions that could reshape retail, education, wellness and family services.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre
(Please note: This event requires a separate ticket. Not included in the NextGen Summit Pass.)
Massimiliano Spalazzi is the CEO of Mumzworld, the Middle East’s leading e-commerce platform for Mum, Baby, and Child. With over a decade of experience in building and scaling e-commerce platforms, he was part of the founding team of Jumia and later served as Executive Vice President of Marketplace, leading its growth across several African markets.
Now based in Dubai, Massimiliano is focused on driving Mumzworld’s next phase of expansion. Originally from Italy, he is a father of two and passionate about creating meaningful, tech-driven solutions that make parenting easier and more rewarding for families across the region.
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.
