How to set up a retail business in Dubai
1Choose the retail activity and channelDecide whether you sell in a physical shop, online, or both. The activity and channel set the licence and whether you need a shop tenancy.
2Register the company and trade licenceRegister the entity and the retail trade licence with DET. Selling to the local UAE market is usually a mainland activity.
3Secure premises or e-commerce approvalsA physical shop needs an approved tenancy; an online store needs an e-commerce activity on the licence. We set up whichever fits your model.
4Set up staff visasSponsor your shop and admin team through the establishment card and visa quota.
5Register for VAT and open the bank accountRetail crosses the VAT threshold quickly, so we handle FTA registration, and introduce you to a banking officer for card payments.
Why start a retail business in Dubai?
Dubai is a retail hub with high spending power, a large resident base and a steady flow of visitors, across malls, high-street shops and fast-growing online channels. E-commerce has widened the field: you can reach customers without a physical shop, or run both together. Each channel has its own licence route, which is where getting the setup right saves time and cost.
Retail licence: types and cost
A retail business runs on a DET trade licence for the specific goods you sell, and the cost depends on the activity, whether you need a physical shop, and your visa quota. An online-only store uses an e-commerce activity instead of a shopfront. Because those choices drive the cost, we price your exact setup rather than publish a figure that would not fit it. Get your exact quote.
Documents required
Passport copies of the shareholders and the manager
The proposed trade name and retail activity
A tenancy contract for a shop, where you sell in person
Product details for any regulated goods that need extra approval
Online retail and e-commerce in Dubai
An e-commerce licence lets you sell online without a physical shopfront, which is lighter and faster to start than a mall or high-street unit. You still register the company, add the e-commerce activity, and register for VAT once you cross the threshold. We set up an online-only store, a physical shop, or both under one company.
Mainland vs free zone vs offshore: which fits?
How OMC helps you establish your retail business
We have handled UAE company formation since 2007, across more than 1,400 companies. We set up the DET trade licence for your exact goods, arrange the shop or e-commerce approvals and the staff visas, handle VAT registration, and introduce you to a banking officer so you can take card payments from day one.
Frequently asked questions
You register a company with the Department of Economy and Tourism for your specific retail activity, then add the shop or e-commerce approvals your model needs. OMC files the licence and arranges the approvals and visas together.
Yes. An e-commerce licence lets you sell online without a physical shop, and you still register the company and VAT. We set up an online store, a physical shop, or both under one company.
Only if you sell in person. A physical retail licence needs an approved tenancy, while an e-commerce activity does not. We advise on the route that fits how you plan to sell.
Yes. Most mainland retail activities now allow 100% foreign ownership, so you do not need a local partner to hold shares. We confirm the rule for your specific goods before you file.
Retail turnover usually crosses the UAE VAT registration threshold quickly, at which point registration with the Federal Tax Authority is required. We handle the registration and set up the records as part of the setup.
Related services
Mainland company setup
VAT and corporate tax registration
Corporate bank account opening
Accounting and bookkeeping