How to Start a Retail Sale Via Stalls Business with Meydan Free Zone

Stall-based retail is one of the oldest and most enduring commercial formats in the world, and in Dubai it has evolved into a sophisticated, high-footfall sector that sits at the intersection of tourism, culture, and consumer spending. From the traditional souks of Deira to modern seasonal markets and international cultural festivals, the UAE’s stall retail economy is growing in scale, variety, and commercial significance. The global pop-up retail market, which encompasses stall-based and temporary retail formats, was valued at USD 12.4 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 32.8 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 11.2%, according to Market Intel^¹. The broader global pop-up and market stall retail segment is estimated at USD 80 billion by 2024, according to data cited by Legacy Marketing^².

Consumer appetite for this format is strong and growing. Research from Storefront cited by Legacy Marketing found that 61% of consumers have visited a pop-up or market stall, with 59% willing to travel specifically to attend one. This level of engagement exceeds many traditional retail formats and reflects a broader shift toward experiential, physical shopping experiences that online retail cannot replicate.

Dubai is one of the world’s pre-eminent destinations for stall-based retail. Global Village, the emirate’s flagship multicultural market and entertainment destination, set a new attendance record in its Season 29 (October 2024 to May 2025), welcoming 10.5 million visitors across more than 3,500 shopping outlets and 30 country pavilions representing over 90 cultures, according to Global Village and Gulf News^³. The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) generates billions of dirhams in annual retail activity and draws millions of additional shoppers to the city’s market and stall retail network.

Beyond these flagship events, Dubai maintains a rich and diverse calendar of permanent and seasonal market venues, from the historic Deira Gold Souk and Spice Souk to contemporary artisan markets including the Ripe Market, ARTE, The Makers’ Market, and the Waterfront Market. The city’s 18.72 million international visitors in 2024^⁴ create a sustained base of consumer demand that makes stall-based retail one of the most accessible entry points into Dubai’s broader retail economy.

Who is this for?

4780 — Retail sale via stalls and markets

Activity code 4780.00 covers the retail sale of any kind of new or second-hand product in a usually movable stall, either along a public road or at a fixed marketplace. This is a parent-level activity code that encompasses all retail trading conducted through stall-based formats rather than permanent retail premises. Businesses operating under this code are authorised to sell new goods, second-hand goods, and a broad range of products directly to consumers through stall-based retail channels.

The defining characteristic of this activity is the channel — a stall or marketplace position — rather than the type of goods sold. This makes 4780.00 one of the most versatile activity codes in the retail sector, covering a wide spectrum of product categories and trading formats within a single license.

Licensing and compliance

Third-party approval

Retail Sale Via Stalls does not require pre-approval from any third-party regulatory authority. A license may be issued directly through Meydan Free Zone without the need for external regulatory sign-off prior to commencing trading activities.

Anti-money laundering compliance

Retail Sale Via Stalls is not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under UAE anti-money laundering legislation. Businesses operating under this activity code are not subject to AML registration or reporting obligations specific to this license category.

References

Market Intel, Pop-Up Retail Store Market Research Report 2033 — https://marketintelo.com/report/pop-up-retail-store-market

Legacy Marketing / Storefront, The Power of Pop-Up Experiences in Today’s Retail Landscape — https://www.legacymarketing.com/the-power-of-pop-up-experiences-in-todays-retail-landscape/

Global Village / Gulf News, Global Village sets record, welcomes 10.5 million visitors in Season 29 — https://gulfnews.com/uae/dubai-global-village-sets-record-welcomes-105-million-visitors-in-season-29-1.500132631

Media Office UAE / Dubai Dept. of Economy and Tourism, Dubai welcomes 18.72 million international visitors in 2024 — https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/february/09-02/dubai-welcomes-1872-million-international-visitors-in-2024-and-up-9-percent-year-on-year