How To Start A Footwear Wholesale Business In Dubai With Meydan Free Zone
November 28, 2025
November 28, 2025
You might walk into Dubai Mall to buy a pair of trainers, but behind every shelf sits a wholesale supplier delivering thousands of pairs day after day. From Adidas running shoes and iconic Christian Louboutin heels to budget school footwear and everyday sandals, bulk distributors are the pipeline that keeps Dubai shopping going.
With the UAE footwear valued at $2.07 billion in 2025, demand isn’t driven by individual buyers; it’s powered by retailers, e-commerce platforms, and trading companies that purchase shoes in bulk to stock shelves across the emirate. The number of shopping centres and malls of all levels in Dubai alone is 135, with an occupancy rate of 98%, meaning shoe retailers will be constantly restocking your shoes to meet demand.
Whether you’re restocking e-commerce sellers with trending sneaker drops, importing luxury evening heels from France for boutique retailers, or bulking athleisure shoes for fitness chains, a wholesale footwear business license puts you in the centre of Dubai’s never-ending purchasing cycle.
Wholesale of Footwear - 4641.07
This business activity is the supply line behind Dubai’s booming footwear demand.
Under Wholesale of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear (4641.00), the Wholesale of Footwear simply means selling shoes in bulk to other businesses; think cartons and shipments that retailers depend on for their stock.
You can source and distribute all kinds of shoes, including sneakers, heels, boots, sandals, slippers, school shoes, and sports footwear. You can bring in stock from global brands for bulk orders during Black Friday sales, partner with authorised distributors, or supply private-label shoes that quietly fill racks across Dubai. Then supply them to the stores everyone shops at: retailers, commercial outlets, supermarkets, department stores, e-commerce platforms, hypermarkets, boutique retailers, and even uniform suppliers.
However, you can’t engage in wholesale activities involving jewellery, leather goods, or textile fibres, as they fall under another business activity.
So, if you want a seat at the supply side of Dubai’s retail market, where bulk orders, seasonal demand, and brand relationships drive consistent growth, this business activity is perfect for you.
Third-Party Approval:
No third-party approval is required for this activity.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance:
Business activity 4641.07 is exempt from this requirement.
