Rocket Internet backed intl marketplace Vaniday brings professionals services online

According to the market intelligence firm Euromonitor, consumers in the United Arab Emirates exhibit the highest per capita spend on beauty and wellness products.

The dizzying numbers haven’t gone unnoticed by tech start- ups.  Thus, Rocket Internet-backed Vaniday, an online marketplace for beauty and wellness services, has formally launched its operations in the UAE in June 2015. After making its presence felt into Brazil, France, and Italy markets, the tech start-up has finally made a move towards UAE.

Without disclosing key metrics, Vera Futorjanski, Co-founder of Vaniday Middle East told mediaperson that the firm is doing extremely well in Dubai.

She said, “Dubai is a big market. People here are constantly on their phones and want convenience, whether it’s restaurants, bars, or entertainment. The beauty industry is no different.”

Reportedly, Vaniday had raised US$ 17 million as its first funding round, but the money isn’t earmarked for a specific country and will be used to scale operations wherever the start-up is present.

Futorjanski disclosed that her firm is formally operating in six countries – with Australia and Russia also in the mix. The UAE is unlikely to be the only country in the region where Vaniday sets up shop – claims it has ambitious plans, and is “definitely going into other Middle Eastern markets.”

Presently, about 400 salons and spas are connected with the site. Users are prompted to select a date and time for the appointment.

Once you indicate your date and time preference, the start-up will call the particular salon and send them an email notification about the booking. If the requested time slot is available, only then will the booking be confirmed. The customer receives a call confirming the booking, or asking for it to be rescheduled.

Furthermore, Vaniday is working with salons to integrate software systems so that the entire process is automated, but the team is still a few months away from reaching that goal.

The minimum lead time to book an appointment is three hours, which means people can’t make an instant appointment, casting doubt over the convenience claims.