Introduction: Qatar Duty Free is building towards this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – which kicks off in Doha on 20 November – and the opening of Hamad International Airport’s (HIA) much-anticipated expansion with a flurry of store and food & beverage openings and innovations in the existing South and North Nodes.
The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie and Brands Editor & Digital Marketing Manager Hannah Tan-Gillies were on location in Doha last month to bring exclusive coverage of the latest openings as part of our special extended series on Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International.
The series will culminate in on location coverage of the airport expansion inauguration later this year, timed to precede the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Today we look at recent introductions in food & beverage {Qatar Duty Free Vice President Thabet Musleh will be delivering a world premiere presentation on the expansion at The Trinity Forum in Singapore on 1-2 November}.
COMING SOON
As reported, HMSHost International and Qatar Airways Group last year struck a seven-year joint-venture contract to develop the F&B offering at Hamad International Airport.
The agreement covers 14 outlets including standalone and food court locations both landside and airside, with estimated sales of €188 million over the term. Here are some highlights of the openings to date and of those still to come.
Comptoir Libanais: Founded in 2008 by UK-based entrepreneur Tony Kitous and meaning ‘Lebanese counter’, Comptoir Libanais is already a proven success story in multiple UK airports and Dubai International Airport. It offers a diverse and delicious range of freshly prepared, Lebanese food in a vibrant environment reflected in the current hoardings. It will open very soon.
Jones Express and Jones Social: The much-respected Jones the Grocer brand is set to open its Jones Express offering, featuring portable options from a grab and go counter. That will be complemented by Jones Social, a stylish bar setting featuring tapas, artisan cheese, charcuterie boards and a select range of wines, Champagnes and beers. Jones Social is the first such concept at an airport and the second in the Middle East. Both outlets, pictured in rendering form below, will open soon, also in the South Node.
SSP FOOD MARKET
In late August, SSP opened a food court zone in association with QDF called Food Market. It offers an accessibly priced mix of cuisines from Indian to other Asian to Middle Eastern and international fast food favourites, plus a gelato unit. Positioned adjacent to QDF’s similarly price-conscious Big Value Duty Free store, it is already generating “amazing sales”, says Musleh.
“Previously, this was an old concept [called Marché] in a very dark area,” he comments. “We really wanted to do something with the area and to improve the F&B in the airport. We also wanted something in this area that appeals to everyone so we worked with SSP to come up with this concept of a food market.
“We have international brands such as Burger King and KFC as well as some local offerings and SSP brands. So whether you want a full meal or a snack, we have something for you.”
VIALE DI LUSSO – CAN THIS REALLY BE INSIDE AN AIRPORT?
The opening of luxury avenue Viale di Lusso at Hamad International Airport on 2 August 2021 was a powerful show of strength and a signal of faith in the future of travel retail and airport food & beverage by Qatar Duty Free.
At a time when other travel retailers were retrenching, Qatar Duty Free hosted the biggest launch event of its kind in its history and one of the most spectacular luxury unveilings seen at an airport. Below we highlight some of Viale di Lusso’s food & beverage offerings.
Emporio Armani Ristorante offers an eclectic range of Italian favourites in a refined setting
