Background music for business
in the UAE
Araya Sound supplies commercially cleared business background music, in-store radio and audio systems across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and all seven emirates — with curation, hardware and local support.
7
Emirates covered
What is in-store background music — and how do you get it legally?
Business background music is the curated soundtrack a company plays for its customers — in a shop, restaurant, hotel or mall — matched to the brand, scheduled by time of day, and supplied for commercial background use. In the UAE, playing music in a venue is a public performance under Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021, so it needs proper authorisation — a personal Spotify or Apple Music account doesn't cover it. Araya handles the soundtrack and playback: we design the playlists, supply them through a commercially licensed service, install the audio system, and provide clear service documentation for every site.
Why the UAE sounds different
Music programming here isn't a copy of London or Singapore. Multicultural footfall, late mall trading and a calendar shaped by Ramadan all change what a good playlist looks like.
A multicultural audience
A Dubai store can welcome tourists from a dozen countries in a single hour. Music has to feel international without feeling generic — we build playlists that travel well across cultures and demographics.
Long trading days
Malls and hospitality venues in the UAE trade late, seven days a week. Dayparting matters: calm mid-morning, energetic evenings, and a different register entirely for Ramadan and national holidays.
Arabic and international blends
Many brands want Arabic-leaning sounds at prayer times or in heritage districts, and international pop or lounge elsewhere. We schedule those shifts automatically, per zone.
A serious licensing framework
The UAE has a modern copyright law — Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021. Playing music in a venue is a public performance and needs proper authorisation, whatever the size of the business.
Playing music in your venue is a public performance
UAE copyright is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyright and Neighbouring Rights. Music played publicly in a business needs authorisation from rights holders — and the responsibility for securing it sits with the business playing the music. Consumer apps like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal listening only.
- Every song carries two rights — the recording and the composition
- Consumer streaming accounts never cover business use
- Keep written confirmation of coverage on file per site
- Live music and ticketed events may need extra permission
Read the full guide to music licensing in the UAE — or the deep-dive blog post.
Cleared for business use
Every playlist Araya supplies is cleared for commercial background use in your venues. Curation, commercially cleared supply, scheduling and hardware sit with one accountable partner.
Get a quote for licensed musicWhat Araya provides in the UAE
One partner for the whole sound of your business — background music for shops, restaurants, hotels and malls, from the playlist strategy to the last ceiling speaker.
Brand-matched playlists
Curated in-store background music designed around your brand, refreshed regularly so regulars never hear the same loop.
Dayparting and scheduling
Different energy by time of day, day of week and season — including Ramadan, Eid and National Day programmes.
Multi-site control
Central management for a single boutique or a fifty-store estate. Staff play from a phone or iPad; head office keeps the reins.
In-store radio & messaging
Your own branded station with promotions, announcements and sponsored spots mixed into the music.
Speakers and installation
Design, supply and installation of the audio system itself — ceiling speakers, zones, amplifiers and commissioning.
Local support in Dubai
A UAE-based team on the ground for site surveys, installs, training and ongoing service.
Serving all seven emirates
Site surveys, installation and support across the UAE — and regional rollouts across the GCC.
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
Music for every kind of venue
Explore how we programme in-store background music for your industry.
Retail stores
Background music for retail stores in Dubai & UAE
Shopping malls
Background music and radio for shopping malls in Dubai & UAE
Hotels
Background music for hotels and resorts in Dubai & UAE
Restaurants & cafes
Background music for restaurants and cafes in Dubai & UAE
Cafes
Background music for cafes and coffee shops in Dubai & UAE
Gyms & fitness
Background music for gyms and fitness studios in Dubai & UAE
Salons & barbers
Background music for salons and barbershops in Dubai & UAE
Offices & workspaces
Background music for offices and coworking spaces in Dubai & UAE
Trusted across the UAE
UAE in-store music FAQs
Other markets we cover
Ready to sound like the UAE's best-run brands?
Tell us about your venues and we'll design, license and install the whole soundtrack — anywhere in the Emirates.