QATAR. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has partnered with the hugely popular global character collectibles retailer Pop Mart to open the brand’s first Middle East store at Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA).
The 100sq m boutique, announced in late September, is located at HIA’s North Node near Gate C18 (adjacent to the renowned Souq Al Matar and en route to The Orchard), is a key strategic addition to QDF’s retail portfolio, expanding its mix of exclusive lifestyle and fashion concepts, QDF said.
The store offers a curated range of travel-exclusive Pop Mart collectibles, led by the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Wonderful Journey Series’, created especially for global travellers and debuting with QDF.
The collection includes travel accessories such as card holders, U-shaped pillows, portable storage bags and crossbody bags.
Travellers also receive a Qatar-exclusive blanket as a gift with qualifying purchases. The blankets feature Qatari patterns, signature date-red tones and Pop Mart characters {main story continues following The Moodie Davitt Report communication below}..
QDF said: “By merging Pop Mart’s cultural creativity with QDF’s visionary retail excellence, the partnership sets a new standard in airport retail – offering travellers and collectors alike fresh ways to engage with art, culture and playful exploration on their journeys through Hamad International Airport.”
The launch was celebrated with a travel-themed fashion show featuring catwalk models and Pop Mart collectibles. The event was attended by international influencers and friends of the brand.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh said: “Partnering with Pop Mart to bring this first-in-the-region concept to Hamad International Airport reflects our drive to keep redefining airport and even regional retail.
“From global icons like Labubu to ever-evolving trend-driven collections, Pop Mart adds a new dimension of creativity and fun to our retail mix. It perfectly aligns with our vision to surprise travellers with exclusive, experience-centric concepts that set new trends and raise the benchmark for what travel retail can be.”
Pop Mart International Group Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Moon commented: “This new store is a testament to our commitment to meeting fans wherever they are.
“By blending Qatar’s rich culture with our playful characters, we’re building more than a retail space; we’re creating a global benchmark for how pop culture connects with local communities.” ✈
