QATAR. Qatar Duty Free has unveiled the Big Value duty free shop concept, which offers products tailored to a budget-conscious consumer, at Hamad International Airport.
The concept, captured in the striking images on this page, adds further diversity to the offer, with an emphasis in the store on liquor, confectionery and mid-priced beauty. As reported, a food court that targets travellers on a budget in the same area will follow.
The opening is the latest in the retailer’s ’21 in 21’ drive – through which it will open 21 new shopping and food & beverage outlets to mark its 21st anniversary this year.
As reported, on 2 August QDF launched premium fashion avenue Viale di Lusso, which is positioned as the next-generation luxury shopping and upscale food & beverage concept at Hamad International Airport. It houses the first airport boutique in the Middle East for fashion designer Valentino, as well as stores representing designer names Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Emporio Armani and Pucci, which build on QDF’s existing collection of high-end brands. The Emporio Armani Ristorante and Emporio Armani Caffè is a world first for an airport, while a Starbucks Reserve coffeehouse is another prominent F&B outlet in the zone. Other recent major openings have included new fashion & accessories stores in the South Node.
In another breakthrough for Hamad International, renowned UK toy retailer Hamleys will open a store in partnership with QDF later this year.
That is among a series of global and regional firsts for the airport, which will include the unveiling of a Christian Louboutin boutique, as reported. The latter opening will make QDF the world’s first travel retailer in the world to offer the luxury footwear to fragrances brand created by the famed French-Egyptian fashion designer.
*In related news, there is just one week left to enter The QDF Factor 2021, an initiative between Qatar Duty Free and The Moodie Davitt Report to champion innovation at a time when travel retail needs it more than ever. Entries close on 27 September.
The QDF Factor, first hosted in 2020 at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo, is a competition open to all brands, both within and outside the travel retail channel. It offers a top prize of a six-month listing* in 2022 at Qatar Duty Free’s award-winning retail offer in Hamad International Airport, Doha, recently voted Best Airport in the World by Skytrax.
The victor will also win a free six-month US$50,000 multi-media advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.
The winner will be revealed by Qatar Duty Free at the second Virtual Travel Retail Expo, run by The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA (with co-organiser Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development), where Qatar Duty Free is an exhibitor and Diamond Partner.
Click here for details of how to enter.
