QATAR. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) today announced record-breaking annual sales in 2023 with turnover soaring +32% over 2022 and representing a remarkable +61% increase over pre-pandemic 2019.
Sales growth just outstripped an equally impressive +31% year-on-year rise in passenger traffic to 45,916,104.
Hamad International Airport (HIA) reported 252,059 aircraft movements, a +22% increase compared to the previous year. Passenger flow reached new heights in 2023, surpassing even the momentum established during the historic FIFA World Cup in 2022, QDF said.
In a year filled with world-first openings, new exclusive concepts and high-profile campaigns, QDF strengthened its commitment to offer ‘Something for Everyone’ while contributing to HIA’s burgeoning reputation as “an iconic global retail location”, the Qatar Airways-owned travel retailer said.
Highlights include the opening of the world’s first Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno and the ground-breaking Souq Al Matar ‘Sense of Place’ concept.
Continued diversification and strengthening of F&B and retail offers was recognised with an unprecedented 17 award wins (see full list below), including Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year (The Moodie Davitt Report-run FAB Awards) and Airport Retailer of the Year (Frontier Awards) – the first company to ever win both awards in a single year – and being named World’s Best Airport for Shopping (Skytrax).
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “Qatar Duty Free marks another year of success driven by a clear vision and a partnership-led approach to its growth.
“We at Qatar Airways Group are proud to witness the remarkable milestones achieved by Qatar Duty Free, which continue to enhance the passenger experience at our hub, Hamad International Airport.”
{In this brilliant video, Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh, team members and partners introduce the FAB Award-winning Hamad International Airport food & beverage portfolio}
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh commented: “2023 has set a new benchmark for Qatar Duty Free. The fact that we have managed to outperform 2022, a year during which we hosted the FIFA World Cup, speaks volumes for how we continue to push ourselves and our partners to deliver memorable experiences.
“Looking ahead, we’re laser-focused on our vision to offer ‘Something for Everyone’ and convinced that our commitment to ‘Transit Tourism’ – making the airport an integral and enriching part of the travel experience – will differentiate our offer and drive continued growth.”
STRENGTHENING THE PORTFOLIO
Highly strategic marketing campaigns boosted QDF’s sales and engagement, including a three-day World Chocolate Day campaign in partnership with Venchi, which exceeded expectations and increased sales value by +633% week on week.
Additionally, the National Lipstick Day campaign in partnership with MAC Cosmetics delivered high levels of engagement and sales growth.
QDF also opened a Dolce & Gabbana boutique at the South Node terminal, which further drives the operator’s mission to offer innovative luxury experiences to travellers and cater to the needs of next-generation luxury consumers such as Millennial and Gen Z shoppers.
QDF’s financial performance was further bolstered by the significant investments made to enhance its F&B portfolio. The major moment of 2023 was the opening of the world’s first – and already FAB Award-winning – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno, situated above the brand’s store at the Central Concourse.
2023 also saw the opening of a new food court replete with five international F&B concepts, including Japanese, Indian, Italian and Belgian cuisines.
In October, QDF signed a ground-breaking three-year sponsorship agreement with Lusail International Circuit for the Qatar Grand Prix, illustrating its commitment as a Founding Partner of the prestigious racing venue.
Capping a year brimming with retail innovation, QDF unveiled one of its most ambitious and differentiated concepts to date in December, with the opening of Souq Al Matar, a ground-breaking twist on traditional Qatari heritage and hospitality. Offering a traditional Qatari Souq experience, the space is located in HIA’s North Node terminal and features seven shops and two restaurants.
AN AWARD-WINNING YEAR
QDF’s achievements were recognised throughout the year with a several highly respected global awards, including:
Food & Beverage (FAB Awards – hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report)
- Airport Food and Beverage Offer of the Year (Worldwide) – Qatar Duty Free
- New Food and Beverage Opening of the Year (Worldwide) – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
- Airport Lounge of the Year (Worldwide) – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
- Airport Lounge, Food and Beverage Offering of the Year (Worldwide) – Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno
- Airport Restaurant Design of the Year (Worldwide) – Fendi Caffe
- Airport Chef of the Year (Worldwide) – Chef David Sosson
- Airport Food Hall of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Qatar Duty Free
- Airport F&B Offer Best Representing Sense of Place (Middle East & Africa) – Chapati & Karak
- Food to Go Offer of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Oreo Café
- Airport Coffee or Tea Shop of the Year (Middle East & Africa) – Ralph’s Coffee
QDF was also highly commended for:
- New Food and Beverage Opening of the Year (Worldwide) – Fendi Caffe
- Airport Coffee or Tea Shop of the Year (Worldwide) – Ralph’s Coffee
Frontier Awards
- Airport Retailer of the Year
- Best New Shop Opening – TimeVallée
- Outstanding Contribution – Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh
In addition, Hamad International Airport was named ‘World’s Best Airport for Shopping’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023, attributed to QDF’s retail and F&B strategy to offer the best experience for passengers at HIA.
Thabet Musleh (far right, top row below) was also named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s ‘People of the Year’, further underlining a period of remarkable achievements. ✈
