The QDF Factor deadline extended to 3 October: Final chance to win a 6-month listing with Qatar Duty Free and a US$50k advertising campaign : Moodie Davitt Report

QATAR. The deadline 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, has been extended to 3 October.

Entries have been pouring in for the event, first hosted in 2020 at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo. It takes the shape of a competition open to all brands, both within and outside the travel retail channel. The QDF Factor 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.

Additionally this year, every entrant will benefit from an extensive profile on The Moodie Davitt Report.com and a complimentary advertisement in a dedicated QDF Factor Moodie Davitt eZine before the final judging.

The winner will be revealed by Qatar Duty Free at the second Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October), 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 on the YouTube icon to see the exciting culmination of The QDF Factor 2020]

Entrants, to be judged by Qatar Duty Free Vice President Thabet Musleh and his team, and The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie, will be assessed on a series of qualitative criteria, including:

Innovation: What does this product or concept offer that is unique, stands out from its competitors, and creates a talking point for retailer and consumer alike? What is its USP?
CSR: What additional social credentials does your product offer?
Presentation: What is compelling about the packaging? What makes it stand out on shelf? What consideration has been given to people and the planet?
Commercial viability: Who is your product targeted at? What makes it a winner? What is your pricing policy and (going forward) marketing approach?
Overall quality: Tell us about the R&D that went into your product, the quality of its ingredients/components.

As in 2020, Qatar Duty Free may award more than one prize if sufficiently impressed (The Moodie Davitt Report will match any additional prizes with further advertising).

Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh said: “Qatar Duty Free has always placed innovation, newness and differentiation at the heart of our offer. So we are delighted to host The QDF Factor once again and recognise and reward those qualities.

“We are again really excited to provide an opportunity for all brands – no matter how big or small, with or without a presence in travel retail – to feature their product at Hamad International, the world’s best airport. We welcome all brands to participate and very much look forward to seeing really innovative concepts that will delight our customers in the post COVID-19 era.

“Additionally, we are very pleased to return to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo as a Diamond Partner. We will be showcasing not only our award-winning retail offer but also presenting a brilliant showcase of the extraordinarily ambitious extension at Hamad International Airport. And of course our team will be visiting all the brand exhibitors during the course of the week.”

*Note: Subject to standard commercial and payment terms being agreed.

All entries must be received by 3 October via the following two contact points: