Starting a Book Shop Business: Step-by-Step Guide for Success with Meydan Free Zone

Dubai isn’t just a city of skyscrapers and shopping malls, it’s also a city of avid readers. From parents stocking up on school textbooks, to teenagers discovering the latest young adult bestsellers, to young professionals investing in timeless self-help classics, books remain at the heart of how people learn, grow, and connect.

In fact, with 28.3% of readers purchasing directly from bookstores, it's a clear sign of the nation’s growing appetite for reading. Bookshops are places where people can wander the aisles, discover hidden gems, and stay for hours in a quiet nook reading stories waiting to be explored.

The UAE book market is estimated to be worth around AED 1 billion. For entrepreneurs exploring how to start a book shop business in Dubai, that’s proof that bookstores aren’t just about shelves and stories, they’re part of a billion-dirham industry waiting to be tapped.

You could run a bookstore filled with children’s titles and stationery for school communities, a niche shop curating business bestsellers, or a second-hand store for readers that don’t want to spend alot. You might even set up pop-up stalls at cultural events to bring discounted books directly to people. However you shape it, Dubai offers endless ways to turn a love for books into a thriving business.

Retail Sale Of Books, Newspapers And Stationery In Specialised Stores - 4761.00

This activity is the backbone of every classic bookstore.

Picture a fully-fledged neighbourhood bookshop where parents grab school supplies, students pick up exam guides, and professionals browse the latest management titles on their lunch break — this is the business activity that lets you do it all under one roof.

Under subcode 4761.01, you can sell every kind of book imaginable from timeless literary classics, to page-turning bestsellers, colourful children’s picture books, and glossy coffee-table editions that double as décor. It’s the heart of what makes a bookstore thrive: shelves that invite students hunting for exam guides, casual readers looking for their next romance, and professionals eager to grab the latest business titles.

Under subcode 4761.02, you can sell newspapers, magazines, and everyday stationery. That means stocking daily newspapers, fashion magazines, notebooks, and back-to-school essentials, making your shop a go-to stop for both readers and families.

Under subcode 4761.03, you can focus on office supplies like pens, notebooks, and printer paper, turning your bookstore into a practical resource for professionals, students, and businesses.

It’s ideal for those who are passionate about books and want to share it with others and create a one- stop shop that blends stories, learning, and everyday essentials.

However, you can’t sell second-hand or antique books under this activity.

Think of yourself as a curator of stories and knowledge, offering readers in Dubai everything they need, from timeless classics to everyday essentials.

Third party Approval: No third-party approval needed for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance: Business activity 4761.00 is exempted from this requirement.

Retail Sale Of Second-Hand Books - 4774.01

This activity covers the retail sale of pre-owned books, and antique books, and even books obtained through auction house activities when selling directly to customers.

Your book shop is where readers hunt for rare finds, vintage editions, or budget-friendly textbooks. Simply, you’re the licensed seller of pre-owned books, whether that’s second-hand fantasy novels, collectible antique books from the 50s, or unique genre finds through retail auctions.

But there are boundaries. You can’t run internet or non-store auctions or operate as a pawn shop under this activity.

Third Party Approval: No third-party approval is required for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:​ Business activity 4774.01 is exempt from this requirement.

Retail Sale of Books Via Stalls - 4789.02

This activity covers selling books through stalls, kiosks, and market-style setups, giving you the flexibility to reach readers directly where they gather.

Think of it as running a pop-up bookstore. You could set up at cultural festivals in Dubai, kiosks in shopping malls, or community markets that attract families. Whether it’s exam guides, or the latest fiction bestsellers, this business activity lets you create small but impactful spaces that make reading accessible and visible in Dubai’s busy public life.

Third Party Approval: No third-party approval is required for this business activity.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:​ Business activity 4789.02 is exempt from this requirement.