Trent Limited’s expansion overseas into UAE

Trent Limited, the retail arm of the Tata Group and a leading name in India’s branded retail sector, has established a presence in Indian and international markets. Building on the success of its flagship concepts, Trent set its sights on expanding into the Middle East, choosing Dubai, UAE, as the location for its first outlet.

Given the complexities of entering a new market, Trent sought the expertise of Kreston Menon to navigate the legal and operational challenges involved in establishing a presence in Dubai, where Trent wanted to replicate the same operational model targeting both middle and upper middle-class customers. The Kreston Menon team was tasked with advising on the optimal legal structure and managing the incorporation process for Trent’s UAE operations.

The chosen legal structure was a step-subsidiary of Trent’s listed entity in India, which required strict adherence to Indian regulatory requirements. Notably, the 2021 amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, which now permit 100% foreign ownership, were instrumental in facilitating Trent’s entry into the market. Prior to this change, foreign investors were required to partner with a UAE national holding at least 51% equity.

Kreston Menon provided comprehensive support from the initial stages of incorporation through to the entity’s operational readiness. Given the significance of this market entry for Trent and its position as a subsidiary of a large industrial group, multiple meetings were held with top management to address concerns related to compliance, documentation, licensing, taxation, and employment matters. Despite the complexities involved and a registration process that extended over 90 days, the establishment of Trent’s Dubai subsidiary was completed successfully, marking an encouraging first step in the company’s Middle Eastern expansion.