QATAR. Qatar Duty Free has entered the latest phase of its high-profile 25th anniversary celebrations with a colourful homepage makeover of The Moodie Davitt Report and an elegant treatment of our mobile website.
The retailer’s campaign began on 1 May, precisely 25 years after it first opened its doors. In that time, Qatar Duty Free has become a powerful standard bearer for quality and innovation and a relentless champion for the power of partnership.
The Moodie Davitt Magazine for November (out in coming days) carries a special feature on the company, with comment from Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh.
He talks about the impact of the anniversary campaign over recent months, addresses how Qatar Duty Free is putting its ‘Experiencentricity’ philosophy into practice and discusses a range of technology initiatives that will “push the boundaries of what’s possible in travel retail”.
The retailer has introduced many firsts to travel retail in recent years, including global debuts for the Dior Luxury Beauty Retreat – the largest Dior spa globally – and Souq Al Matar, the hybrid retail and F&B concept that brings a taste of Qatar to transit travellers.
Recent additions to the store network at Hamad International Airport include the groundbreaking Lancôme Café De La Rose, blending beauty, fragrance and gastronomy, and the opening of Pop Mart, a first in the Middle East for the global character collectibles retailer.
Other examples include U Studio, which presents Instagrammable moments and spaces; The Rugby Store that brought the spirit of rugby to life during the British & Irish Lions Australia Tour in July and August; an Armani In The Spotlight pop-up, and luxury openings from brands such as Zegna, Brunello Cucinelli and Tom Ford, plus others {main story continues following the communication below}.
QDF has also expanded its food & beverage portfolio to include more than 70 restaurants and cafés. These span world exclusives, such as the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno, a culinary destination that brings Michelin-starred dining to the airport, as well as Fendi Caffe, Oreo Café, Gordon Ramsay, Ralph’s and Emporio Armani Ristorante, alongside local favourites, such as Basta and Chapati & Karak.
At the recent TFWA World Exhibition Qatar Duty Free’s achievements earned recognition with a series of accolades.
At the Frontier Awards, Qatar Duty Free was named Airport Retailer of the Year for the third consecutive year. The company also won Best Specialty Concept – Hybrid & F&B for Souq Al Matar and Retail Activation of the Year for Live the F1 Life.
Qatar Duty Free was also named Beauty Retailer of the Year at the BW Confidential Beauty Party 2025 and took home Best Airport Retail Initiative at the Global Travel Retail Awards 2025 for its immersive Live the F1 Life campaign at Hamad International Airport.
*Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free will host Th Trinity Forum 2026, which takes place in Doha on 5-6 February. The world’s most influential airport commercial revenues conference is owned and co-organised by The Moodie Davitt Report, in a highly successful long-term partnership with Airports Council International (ACI) Asia Pacific & Middle East and ACI World. For 2026, the additional inclusion of ACI Europe as a co-organiser marks a significant enhancement to the event’s scope and influence. For more details, click here. ✈
