The country’s largest retail and entertainment festival, “Shop Qatar”, returns

Shop Qatar is set to return from September 10 to October 10 with over QR 4 million in prizes at stake, and marks its international debut with the participation of Qatar Duty Free (QDF) at Hamad International Airport. The fifth edition of this month-long shopping and entertainment festival with the theme “One Festival. “Countless Experiences” – will be the first major event to take place in the country in 18 months.
Shop Qatar 2021 will be held at 15 venues across Doha, offering discounts of up to 90% at participating malls and outlets, in addition to cutting-edge and cultural events, concerts, workshops and hotel and restaurant promotions. “As one of the most important events on our annual calendar, Shop Qatar offers the best fashion, entertainment and retail offerings in the country, giving shoppers and visitors more experiences, offers and chances to win than ever before,” said Qatar Airways Group. Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Tourism, HE Akbar al-Baker, said at a press conference yesterday.
“We are also going international by welcoming QDF to HIA at the festival for the first time,” he said, adding that buyers will have the chance to win thousands of gift certificates and benefit from a wide range of discounts at QDF.
“While this is a local event, we have an international reach, and with our borders now open, we look forward to welcoming friends and families not just from the Gulf countries but from around the world. entire,” HE al-Baker noted. .
He hopes Shop Qatar will encourage a revival of retail activity, local businesses and the country’s economy, saying “this is an important first step on the road to recovery and normalcy”.
HE al-Baker highlighted the key role played by the government of Qatar, particularly the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in preventing and controlling the spread of Covid-19, which has led to a significant drop in cases. of Covid-19 in the country.
“Our infection rates are falling rapidly, our vaccination rates are among the highest in the world, and people are now becoming confident, and the authorities are confident that we can gradually open up and bring people into our country so that we can make our lives as normal as possible,” he said.
HE al-Baker also thanked the efforts and continued support of private and public sector partners in the retail and hospitality sectors as Qatar Tourism marks the return of Qatar’s major events.
Four weekly raffles will be held during the festival with hundreds of prizes, including cash and cars worth over QR 4 million, up for grabs. To be eligible for the digital raffles, shoppers must spend QR 200 at any participating retailer to receive a coupon.
More than 60 top hotels nationwide will offer fun promotions and activities for guests and visitors, while shoppers will have the chance to win thousands of QDF gift certificates.
Shop Qatar Design Week will be held for the first time at the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha and will host pop-up shops, design workshops and two international fashion shows to mark the Qatar – USA Year of Culture 2021.
Prominent musicians, designers and artists will hold master classes, fashion shows, workshops and music concerts at the festival, which will be attended by renowned Native American and New York fashion designer Naeem Khan and renowned Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra .
According to Qatar Tourism, the Doha Design District will offer exclusive activations and pop-up shops from October 3 to 9 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will host local entrepreneurs showcasing their creations, international designers, various food and beverage outlets, and workshops hosted by the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.
The district will also host other creative initiatives, “offering a space for visitors to exchange cultural activities and authentic know-how”. (Details of the workshops will be shared on www.shopqatar.qa)
“This year’s Shop Qatar contains unrivaled offers and experiences, with social distancing measures at all events and malls, in addition to successfully achieving the required Qatar Clean certification for each participating hotel and restaurant. A key initiative of Qatar Tourism and the MoPH, this initiative facilitates the return of in-person events, while maintaining health and safety,” HE al-Baker said.
He added that Qatar Tourism “continues to work closely with partners in the retail and hospitality sectors to develop more diverse festivals and events that appeal to new market segments, to encourage a increase in retail activity in the country”.
Business partners include Al Khor Mall, City Center Mall, Doha Festival City, Ezdan Mall Al Gharrafa, Ezdan Mall Al Wakrah, Galleria Mall, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, The Gate Mall, The Pearl -Qatar, Villaggio Mall and QDF at HIA, while Qatar National and Convention Center (QNCC) and Doha Design District Msheireb will also host events and activities.
All events will take place in accordance with MoPH guidelines. Design workshops and masterclasses will be held with a limited number of vaccinated people, and music concerts will take place at 30% capacity at QNCC.