Background music for business
in the UAE
Araya Sound supplies licensed business background music, in-store radio and audio systems to companies across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and all seven emirates — curation, licensing, hardware and local support from one accountable partner.
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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 licensed for public performance. 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 whole thing: we design the playlists, supply them through a commercially licensed service, install the audio system, and keep every site in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and beyond covered with written confirmation.
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.
Licensed, by default
Every playlist Araya supplies is cleared for commercial background use in your venues. Licensing, curation, scheduling and hardware sit with one accountable partner — no grey areas, no paperwork chasing.
Get licensed with ArayaWhat 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
One dashboard 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
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.