Holly Holistic
STARTUP RETAIL INCUBATOR
Holly Holistic
Year of establishment: 2016
Names of founder: Holly Aldhebaiei
About the brand: Holly Holistic is the UAE’s first home-grown holistic brand that offers eco-friendly therapeutic products such as jewellery, candles, body products, salt lamps, crystals, dreamcatchers, frankincense and sage etc. The products are sourced from the country of origin with the aim to create authenticity and balance between humans and nature. Holly Holistic was founded by Aldhebaiei to share her passion for holistic health as well as support people to deepen their self-awareness and cater to their wellbeing. The brand currently sells all its products on its own e-commerce website.
Commercial success: Holly Holistic is part of the Dubai SME programme. The brand has gradually grown from an e-commerce shop to a tiny showroom and now to a retail store. Holly Holistic works with other small businesses in the community to strengthen brand awareness and participate in select markets and workshops. It also sells its products at select retail touchpoints around Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including a yoga studio, art gallery and a café. Holly Holistic plans to build more such collaborations as well as carry products made by local creators in its retail store and e-commerce site.
Phased business transformation: Holly Holistic has been working hard to increase its product range, adding more exclusive items. The brand also plans to work closely with a local organic gardening business when the growing season approaches.
Major hurdles crossed: Due to temporary store closure, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holly Holistic has moved towards a more personalised and shopper assisted virtual shopping experience for customers using its WhatsApp platform. The brand also allowed customers to purchase items that were previously only available from the shop directly, not on its e-commerce site. As businesses reopen, Holly Holistic will also open its store but follow an appointment-based customer visit for a while.