It’s no secret that veganism has been on the rise in the UAE. And a new pop-up market aims to cater to just that.
Not Just For Vegans, an online boutique selling artisan products and essential items, has teamed up with Thrift For Good, to launch a vegan market from noon to 8pm on Friday.
Taking place at the Thrift for Good Palm pop-up in Golden Mile, Palm Jumeirah, the event will have more than 20 stands with a range of vendors covering everything from cruelty-free accessories, candles, clothes, food, handbags, haircare, children’s clothing, make-up, skincare, yoga accessories and more.
Visitors can expect to find brands including Grawtitude, which makes plant-based cheeses; West African cuisine brand Veghana; Palm Lights, which creates palm wax candles; natural ice lollies brand House of Pops; yoga accessories brand Meow Yoga; ethically sourced cosmetics company Beauty Binge; and reusable bottle company Loch.
Craft fragrance boutique Oo La Lab will also be setting up a workshop where visitors will be able to develop their own custom scent.
The free-to-attend event will also include children’s activities, such as workshops on how to make purses and upcycled bird feeders.
According to Carly Dubery, the founder of Not Just For Vegans, this is the first all-vegan pop-up in the UAE, and hopes more such events will follow. She says that while all the brands need not necessarily be vegan, all the products they will be displaying and selling will be vegan.
“It’s about making people more aware and making these products more accessible,” Dubery tells The National. “Everyone, not just vegans, can make a difference and a positive impact by making alternative choices. At the same time, you’ll be supporting small businesses.”
Dubery says she set up Not Just for Vegans in July 2020 as a way to bring together vegan entrepreneurs in the Middle East. The online boutique offers consulting, event planning and networking opportunities to vegan brands.
Dubery, who turned vegan seven years ago, says that it’s not just for vegans or vegan brands, but about working side by side with the rest of the community as well.
“If you’re a store owner, for example, it’s important to be a part such events and learn about products because it helps connect you to vegan businesses which might be good for your brand. It could also lead to more vegan brands being on a supermarket shelf. It’s a different way of expanding the vegan sector in the market."
The same goes for individuals, she adds.
“When it comes to veganism, there’s a saying that ‘we don’t need a handful of people doing it perfectly, but millions of people doing it imperfectly’ and I think that’s so true," Dubery says.
“I hope all people can come down and realise that there are incredible products out there that are also affordable and good for the planet.”
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
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