Image: Hub71 Technology How Hub71 Is Rewiring the Gulf’s Startup Ambition Abu Dhabi’s founder ecosystem is maturing fast — combining policy, capital, and AI depth to attract a new generation of global builders. By Julienna Law • 3 min read
Photo by Immo Wegmann / Unsplash Technology AI meets Arabic: the race to build culturally fluent chatbots For 400 million Arabic speakers, ChatGPT falls short. Local AI is filling the gap. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
Gulf shoppers expect localised designs and modest silhouettes within a brand’s collection. Image: Brunello Cucinelli The Gulf The Meridio Edit: four trends defining Gulf luxury in 2025 In this inaugural edition of The Meridio Edit - our curated list of trends, brands, and people driving change in the Middle East - we examine four themes defining Gulf luxury in 2025. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
In Conversation In Conversation: Snow Li, Investor and Art Collector From Shanghai to Abu Dhabi, from manufacturing to museums, Snow Fei Nan Li’s journey is one of scale and purpose: shaping industries, bridging continents, and redefining what cultural diplomacy means in the 21st century. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
Welcome to The Meridio From mega-projects to cultural renaissances, the Middle East is transforming at speed. The Meridio, an initiative by Reuter Ventures, aims to distil the noise into insight, spotlighting the people and ideas shaping what comes next. By Shashin Surti • 1 min read
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk Luxury The Gulf’s digital renaissance in luxury The Gulf is undergoing a major digital shift: a future where half of all luxury purchases are made online. But this shift isn't about replacing boutiques: it's about reimagining them, writes Taqua Malik, founder of Freedomvisory, a leading Middle East cultural intelligence advisor. By Taqua Malik • 3 min read
Dubai Mall is home to over 200 high-end brands. Image: Emaar Properties Luxury Why malls are thriving in the Middle East Malls remain key to luxury sales in the Middle East. But standing out in these evolving lifestyle hubs requires a mix of high-touch service and spectacle. By Staff Writer • 5 min read
Ounass is the Gulf’s leading online luxury platform, offering rapid delivery and a wide selection of regional brands. Image: Ounass Luxury Inside Ounass: The platform powering Gulf luxury e-commerce With just 13% of Gulf luxury sales happening online — below the 20% global average — retailers have room to grow. Ounass shows how it can be done. By Julienna Law • 4 min read
New York-based minimalist brand The Frankie Shop hosted a pop-up store in Abu Dhabi from April 18 to May 1, 2025. Image: The Frankie Shop Luxury From bling to barely there: How the Middle East is falling in love with quiet luxury Long before the term “quiet luxury” was coined in the West, the Middle East was already embracing minimalist, elegant fashion. By Julienna Law • 4 min read
SHA Emirates, a wellness-centric residential community on an island in AIJurf. Image: IMKAN Luxury The ultimate getaway: Wellness retreats take off in the Middle East From advanced diagnostics to traditional therapies, luxury wellness retreats are dominating the checklists of Gulf travellers. By Staff Writer • 5 min read
In Conversation In Conversation: Matt Spriegel, Founder, Atiom Matt Spriegel is the founder of Atiom, a leading behavioural change platform for the hospitality sector. With a background that blends entrepreneurship and global experience, Matt has built Atiom into a tool trusted by major brands across Asia. Now, he’s bringing that vision to the Middle East. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
Photo by Alexander Shatov / Unsplash Technology Why Snapchat reigns supreme in the Middle East More than silly filters, Snapchat has become a key sales channel in the Gulf. Even luxury brands like Givenchy and Carolina Herrera have taken note. By Staff Writer • 4 min read
