Hussein Hosni launched wholesale smart grocery marketplace Grocart with his wife, Nesma Zaghow, to connect retailers with fast-moving consumer goods suppliers in the UAE.
The Egyptian began his career in sales at an international healthcare company and moved to Saudi Arabia as a product manager before relocating to Dubai six years ago.
Mr Hosni applied his background in sales, logistics and marketing to co-found Grocart in 2020, helping small grocery stores to survive during Covid-19 restrictions.
The business-to-business wholesale food and grocery platform fills a supply chain gap between retailers, manufacturers and distributors, accessing 20,000-plus products via same-day delivery.
Mr Hosni, 39, his wife, and daughters aged 10 and seven, live in Dubai Sports City.
Where did money fit into your childhood?
My father was an engineer, my mother a librarian. We grew up in Cairo in a safe environment, not a big house, a family of six people.
We were not rich, money was not easy. However, all our needs were fulfilled and we were logical in our needs, no expensive brands.
Did that influence you?
My mother advised, “Always buy not to sell” and “Saving saves you in hard times”. She was pushing me more towards saving, and then always to try to buy, but not to sell [off] what I buy.
I took this advice and applied it in my life. For example, if I bought an apartment today, I’d try not to sell it. If I save money, I try not to spend it.
How did you first earn?
At university during holidays, I engaged in training and internships in pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies — for free, but I learnt and listened to my mentors.
Then I started working as a pharmacist in Egypt’s biggest chain. My first salary was 2,500 Egyptian pounds (Dh500). I moved to Novartis, then to Saudi Arabia, where I stayed almost nine years.
I was planning to come to the UAE. I had a passion to have my own business, but in Saudi Arabia at that time it was difficult to own a company 100 per cent.
You sought self-employment over career growth?
Since childhood, I had two main personal values. The first was about success, which I achieved in my traditional career, the second about financial stability.
I didn’t find this in such companies [employers], because at some critical points they tend to downsize.
It is not good to be under such stress, so I found the safest and most comfortable route to financial stability is to own a business.
Sometimes, if you don’t go out of your comfort zone on your own, you will be forced out of it, so it’s better to choose the timing.
Why Grocart?
We worked on the concept for six months and got the licence one month before [the pandemic lockdown].
Once Covid came, we noticed a big space for us to flourish, especially when we saw empty shelves inside grocery stores and supermarkets.
Supply chains had been affected and we could offer a solution for minimarts and supermarkets by offering wide variety with a few clicks, at reasonable prices.
How did you fund it?
From my pocket for the first few months, then we got investment from Instashop. Once we found we were on the right track, I decided to move [from my job] after almost one year.
I found time to start my business during the pandemic because we stayed home. It was good timing.
We started from zero and now cover all of Dubai. We have reached a level we can scale all over the country and expand to other countries.
How does it financially benefit clients?
Suppliers … we offer wider variety, less risk in the money collection, improve logistics and decrease their operational costs.
For retailers, we increase profit, variety, faster delivery, so their shelves are never out of stock. Secondly, it’s about automation and digitalisation, which offer value for the retailer in all verticals.
It was not easy securing the first order. We started with only a few shops and now have more than 1,000 and chain supermarkets ordering from us.
When your purchasing power increases, you can offer competitive prices.
Do you still manage to save?
I am more saver than spender. Saving is important for me, followed by investing and donating.
In Saudi Arabia, I was saving almost 60 per cent [of earnings], especially when I was single. I’m still saving, but it’s almost 20 per cent.
You need to think how to invest and find the right business, then money will come easier
Hussein Hosni,
founder, Grocart
I diversify, have savings accounts, gold (ETFs and physical) and am new into stocks. I own apartments in Egypt. You can get a lot of return on investment there.
Any philosophy on money?
Money should be in your hand, not in your heart … in your hand to use it, invest it, to donate. In your heart, you will never want to spend it and just save, save, save.
You need to invest and when you donate or give sadaqa (voluntary) or zakat (mandatory for Muslims), you will be happier, you will get more money. It has a marvellous impact when you give joy and happiness for others.
So money can buy happiness?
Money has a role, to make you happy and to live a respectful life, to have a good house and education. Money is important.
It is not the only reason for happiness, it’s a component. But if money is the only reason for you to be happy, once you spend it you will become sad.
If you continue wasting money, it will not add any pleasure. You need to be satisfied with what you have. I am, and keep growing until I achieve my goals. You need a balance.
Has your outlook evolved?
When I was young, I expected that getting money would be hard. As I grew, I found getting money is not hard, but getting the right idea is.
You need to think how to invest and find the right business, then money will come easier.
If you take notice of what is happening around you, you can find a lot of opportunities to focus on and offer value.
But don’t fall in love with your idea. You are not a tree — move, change, improve, don’t be stagnant. If you feel your idea is the best idea in the world, you will fail.
Any spending regrets?
I never regret spending, only making a fast decision about spending. It’s not about the money spent; I need to think before spending.
Even if I buy ice cream, which flavour I like, I make a proper decision. I love taking time to think, then take action.
What are you happiest paying for?
Going out, travelling with and spending time with my family and bringing happiness to my daughters.
Also, here in Dubai, I like to take a boat and go fishing in the middle of the sea.
What is your future direction?
My goal is to have successful businesses and to give encouragement, motive and empowerment to others to start businesses and be successful. This is my passion.
It is not an easy mission and there is no ideal time to start … if you wait for circumstances to be ideal, it will never come.
I’m not thinking about retirement, because when you do what you enjoy, you enjoy your life, you don’t need a retirement plan.
RESULTS
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The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The%20Secret%20Kingdom%20
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Tentative schedule of 2017/18 Ashes series
1st Test November 23-27, The Gabba, Brisbane
2nd Test December 2-6, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
3rd Test Dcember 14-18, Waca, Perth
4th Test December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
5th Test January 4-8, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)
Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldof v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)
Sunday
Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Brief scores:
Everton 2
Walcott 21', Sigurdsson 51'
Tottenham 6
Son 27', 61', Alli 35', Kane 42', 74', Eriksen 48'
Man of the Match: Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)
The five pillars of Islam
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
Indika
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Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
