A new online classifieds platform for unwanted children’s toys, books, clothes, gear and accessories, Toyit, has been officially launched in Dubai. This will help parents to sell, exchange, give away, or donate to charities lightly used items or unwanted gifts easily, conveniently, and securely.

 

This is the first specialised classifieds platform of its kind set up in the UAE and headquartered in in5 Hub, a Dubai-based enabling platform for entrepreneurs and start-ups in the technology, design and media industries.

 

Parents in the UAE are expected to spend an estimated $1.1 billion on children’s toys, games, and video games this year, or one third of the Middle East’s market overall, valued at just under $4 billion. By 2023, they are expected to spend on their children’s clothes $1 billion, according to Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

 

Following its UAE launch, Toyit has plans to expand into other countries in the region over the next 12 months. Driven by the high rates of adoption of digital platforms and e-commerce in countries like the UAE, KSA and Egypt, Toyit is a relevant and valuable addition to the online and digital scene in region.

 

Many parents looking for a good bargain are now choosing to tap into the online pre-owned market for their shopping needs. While general online classified platforms exist in the UAE, there is clearly a gap when it comes to a platform focused on kids’ items across categories.

 

Sherif Dahan, Founder and CEO of Toyit, said: “As a parent myself, I spotted a need in the market for parents to be able to reduce the financial, social, and environmental impact of the short use-life of children’s toys, clothes, shoes, books, and other accessories. Children outgrow their clothes, shoes, and toys too quickly.

 

Sometimes, items may only be used once or twice before they are disposed of. Opening a channel to sell, buy, exchange, give away, or donate children’s immaculate pre-loved items across the parents’ communities is a much-needed service that will help reduce wastage, decrease the financial impact of raising a child in the UAE, and do well while doing good.”

 

Toyit has already partnered with the Emirates Red Crescent, Hope Factory, and Toys with Wings to allow parents easy access to charitable in-kind donations. The

Platform is planning to constantly widen the list of supported relevant charities to ensure members get easy access to as many of those charitable organisations as possible.

 

Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and Head of in5, said: “As a leading platform to drive innovation, in5 is pleased to welcome Toyit and nurture them as part of our robust startup community. By turning a niche challenge into a viable business opportunity, Toyit not only caters to the maturing needs of the marketplace but enables customers to make more environmentally conscious lifestyle choices, while encouraging them to be socially responsible. This launch is truly a testament to Dubai’s significance as a launchpad for great ideas and showcases the talent and ingenuity of our local startups and entrepreneurs.”

 

Sherif Dahan added: “Toyit.today came to life to encourage and enable the growing culture of sustainability and sharing amongst younger parents, and to support the UAE government’s social and environmental initiatives for sustainability and waste reduction. I was delighted by how well the idea was received by in5 and the tremendous support we got from it to launch our platform.”

 

The user-friendly, stylish Toyit platform allows parents to join private or public communities to connect all-year-round within their children’s schools, parents’ community, their own neighbourhoods, clubs, companies, or interest-based groups to buy, sell, and trade-in their children’s items. 

 

Allowing members of the same community to optionally and exclusively view or access each other’s posts is one of the unique features of the platform. Companies can also choose to create a private community on the Toyit platform absolutely free. 

 

This will instantly give their employees an online platform to buy, sell, exchange, or give away items amongst themselves. It will also help them streamline their collective charity donations from employees 24x7x365.

 

“Schools, nurseries, and real estate developers are encouraged to have presence on Toyit and inspire their communities of parents to extend the life of children’s high-quality second-hand items by letting go of them or acquire them sustainably through the platform.”

 

The navigation experience is seamless and intuitive and allows even middle school kids to post or search for items in a few clicks on their mobiles or laptops. Members can communicate through on-platform messaging or directly through their personal mobile numbers if they so choose. A mobile app will be launched soon.

 

“Our research showed the need for a simple and focused digital channel that helps families to conveniently declutter their homes, offer a good bargain for those who are interested in quality pre-owned items, or donate children’s gear to charities or other families in need.” -- Tradearabia News Service