Opening a grocery store in Sharjah is a great business opportunity! With its growing population and lower setup costs compared to other cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Sharjah offers many benefits for business owners. It's also located near important Gulf ports, making it easy to bring in special groceries from places like Asia and Africa.
If you're thinking of starting a grocery store here, you will need the right licenses and documents to get started. Let’s walk through the simple steps to help you understand how you can open your grocery store in Sharjah!
Why Start a Grocery Store in Sharjah?
Large and Growing Population Sharjah has the third-largest population in the UAE, which means there are plenty of customers to serve, making grocery demand steady.
Affordable Business Setup Setting up a business in Sharjah is cheaper compared to other cities like Dubai, but you still enjoy similar business benefits!
Great Location for Trading Sharjah is close to Gulf ports, so it’s easy to bring in goods from different countries, adding variety to your grocery store.
Stable and Safe Business Environment Sharjah offers a stable economy and strong infrastructure, which means your business can grow for the long term.
What Type of Business License Do You Need?
To open a grocery store in Sharjah, you need a Commercial License. This license allows you to legally sell goods, import, export, and trade items in your store.
Types of Companies in Sharjah
When starting a business, you also need to choose the right type of company. Here are some options:
Limited Liability Company (LLC): Perfect if you have 2 to 50 partners. Each partner’s responsibility is limited to their share in the business.
Sole Proprietorship: If you are the only owner, you can set up as a sole proprietor, but you'll need to work with a local service agent.
Pick Your Business Activity Decide on the type of groceries you’ll sell, like fruits, vegetables, or imported goods.
Choose Your Legal Structure Decide if you want to open the business alone or with partners. If with partners, an LLC might be best.
Pick a Name for Your Store You need to choose a unique name for your grocery store, and it must follow the UAE's business name rules.
Get Approval from SEDD Submit your business plan to the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) for initial approval.
Apply for Your Grocery License Once you have the initial approval, you can apply for a grocery store license.
Find a Location and Sign a Lease Pick a spot for your grocery store that follows Sharjah’s rules. Sign a lease for that location.
Pay for Your License Pay the required fees to get your official trade license.
Start Your Business! Once you have your license, you are ready to open your grocery store and begin serving customers!
What Documents Will You Need?
To open your grocery store, you’ll need the following:
Business plan
Lease agreement
Passport copies of all owners
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
Articles of Association (AoA)
Power of Attorney
Bank reference letters
New Rules for Grocery Stores in Sharjah
Sharjah has new rules to ensure grocery stores are clean, organized, and safe for customers. For example:
The store must be at least 30 square meters in size.
Shelves must not be too cluttered.
There must be a CCTV system and proper staff uniforms.
Grocery License Cost in Sharjah
Starting a grocery store in Sharjah costs around AED 10,000, but this can vary depending on your store's size and location.
How Can Talreja & Talreja LLC Help?
At Talreja & Talreja LLC, we make the process easy for you. Whether it’s getting your business license, setting up your company, or handling audits and taxes, we are here to help you every step of the way.
You can contact us for expert advice on starting your business, whether it’s in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi,Dubai, or Ras-Al-Khaimah. We’ll help you navigate all the rules and regulations so you can focus on running your grocery store.
1. What type of license is needed to open a grocery store in Sharjah? You need a Commercial License to open a grocery store in Sharjah.
2. What is the cost of a grocery license in Sharjah? The cost to start a grocery store in Sharjah can start from AED 10,000, depending on the store size and location.
3. Can foreigners own 100% of the grocery store in Sharjah? Yes, foreigners can own 100% of the grocery store if they set it up under a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
4. How long does it take to get a grocery license in Sharjah? The process usually takes a few weeks, depending on how fast you complete all the steps like document submission and approval.
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