Table of Contents
How to Start a Retail Sale Via Stalls of Other Goods Business with Meydan Free Zone
Introduction
The retail sale of goods through stalls and markets spans one of the broadest product ranges in commercial retail, from carpets and books to consumer electronics and collectible recordings. At its heart, this activity captures both the enduring appeal of the market stall as a direct-to-consumer retail format and one of the fastest-growing global consumer movements: the resale and circular economy.
The global second-hand products market was valued at approximately USD 170 billion in 2023 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 17% from 2025 to 2030, with projections placing the market at USD 500 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets¹. This is no niche trend; 94% of retail executives globally now report that their customers are already participating in resale, according to ThredUp’s 2025 Annual Resale Report².
Within this broad market, specific product categories are growing rapidly. The global flea market, covering the core stall-based channel for diverse goods trading, was valued at USD 3.43 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.76 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.2%, according to Verified Market Reports³.
Antiques account for 30% of global flea market product mix, vintage goods for 25%, collectibles for 20%, handmade goods for 15%, and used electronics for 10%.
The UAE market for stall-based other goods trading is anchored by a strong and growing second-hand and circular economy culture. The Middle East second-hand luxury goods market was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2023 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% to 2034, with the UAE accounting for 33% of the regional market, according to Transparency Market Research⁴.
The UAE’s second-hand luxury goods market alone was valued at USD 1.04 billion in 2023. The Dubai Flea Market, established in 2007 by German expatriate Melanie Beese, is the UAE’s largest organised second-hand market and has grown from 20 stalls at Al Safa Park into a major community retail institution, according to Gulf News⁵.
Government policy is reinforcing these market dynamics. The UAE Circular Economy Policy and Dubai Sustainable Fashion Days are actively supporting the normalisation of second-hand and pre-loved retail across all product categories, positioning stall-based resale as a mainstream and policy-supported commercial format.
For stall traders across any of the ISIC-listed product categories, from carpets and rugs to books, toys, and electronics, the combination of Dubai’s large affluent resident population, its 18.72 million annual international visitors, and its accelerating circular economy culture creates a broad and growing consumer opportunity.
Market at a glance
4789 Retail sale via stalls and markets of other goods
Activity code 4789.00 covers the retail sale of any kind of new or second-hand product, other than food, beverages, or tobacco, from a usually movable stall either along a public road or at a fixed marketplace. This is a parent-level activity code.
The ISIC classification specifically identifies carpets and rugs, books, games and toys, household appliances and consumer electronics, and music and video recordings as examples of goods covered, but the activity code encompasses any non-food goods sold through the stall or marketplace channel. Businesses operating under this code are authorised to sell both new and second-hand goods in these categories directly to consumers through stall-based retail.
What this activity does not cover
Licensing and compliance
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Global second-hand products market (2023) | $170B CAGR 17% to 2030 |
| Global flea market size (2024) | $3.43B CAGR 6.2% to 2033 |
| ME second-hand luxury goods market | $3.5B UAE holds 33% of ME market (2023) |
Activity Details
Pre-loved and second-hand traders Entrepreneurs selling pre-owned, vintage, and second-hand goods across any of the ISIC-listed product categories from market stalls, contributing to Dubai's growing circular economy and serving a consumer base increasingly oriented towards sustainable, affordable, and unique second-hand purchases.
New goods stall retailersBusinesses retailing new carpets, rugs, books, toys, games, consumer electronics, household appliances, and recorded media through market stalls or fixed marketplace positions, accessing Dubai's 18.72 million annual international visitors and large resident population through the stall retail channel.
Collectors and specialist tradersDealers in vintage books, collectible music and video recordings, antique rugs and carpets, rare games, and refurbished consumer electronics who use the stall format to reach buyers at flea markets, specialist fairs, cultural events, and curated marketplaces across Dubai.
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Global second-hand goods market projection | $500B projected global second-hand goods market by 2030 UAE second-hand luxury CAGR 11.6% (to 2034) Dubai Flea Market operating since 2007 UAE second-hand luxury goods (2023) $1.04B |
| ISIC-listed product categories | Carpets and rugs — New and second-hand Books — New and used Games and toys — New and pre-owned Household appliances and electronics — New and refurbished Music and video recordings — Physical and collectible |
