Hosam Arab on e-commerce
From Homegrown DXB | Hosam Arab, Faraz Khalid, and Hisham Zarka: Namshi · · DUBAI ’one
“When we went to a bunch of retailers to speak to them about e-commerce, I think one of the biggest push backs was this market is different. People in Dubai love to shop in malls. We have the best malls in the world. Why do we need an online fashion retailer?”
On , Hosam Arab, CEO & Co-Founder at Tabby, spoke about e-commerce during Homegrown DXB | Hosam Arab, Faraz Khalid, and Hisham Zarka: Namshi on DUBAI ’one.
About Hosam Arab
Hosam Arab, co-founder and CEO of the buy now, pay later fintech Tabby, has stated that the company is targeting an initial public offering within the next 12 to 18 months. In a May 2025 interview, Arab said Tabby is using the time to build internal readiness, including governance and reporting structures, and that the timing of the IPO will depend on both market conditions and the company's preparedness. He noted that while Tabby's market has been resilient, the company is monitoring factors such as oil price fluctuations and their potential impact on consumer spending and credit performance. Arab has also discussed Tabby's expansion beyond its core buy now, pay later product. Following the acquisition of Saudi-licensed digital wallet provider Tweeq in late 2024, Arab said the company aims to offer broader financial services, including money transfers, savings, and payment solutions. He described the shift as moving from a single-product company to a multiproduct financial services firm, positioning Tabby to compete with traditional banks. Arab previously co-founded the fashion e-commerce platform Namshi, which was fully acquired by Amar in 2019. He has characterized Tabby's growth as focusing on sustainable scale rather than pursuing inflated valuations, and has expressed a preference for avoiding the "unicorn" label, calling it a "vanity title."