Shop Qatar, the country’s biggest shopping festival is set to return for its second edition with discounts on popular brands, car and cash prizes worth up to QAR 4 million; and a colourful schedule of fashion and entertainment events. The Festival will be held from 7 January to 7 February 2018 under the slogan ‘A Brand New Tradition’.

The festival will shed a spotlight on the new and enticing additions to Qatar’s burgeoning retail scene, with 13 malls and shopping complexes participating. Retail outlets around Qatar will be providing special offers and discounts of up to 50% on a range of consumer goods including clothes, electronics, cosmetics and accessories for men, women and children.

Participating malls are, AlKhor Mall, City Centre, Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall, Villaggio, Ezdan Mall and Dar Al Salam Mall.

Speaking at a press conference in AlHazm, one of Qatar’s newest luxury shopping destinations, organisers announced that Shop Qatar 2018 will celebrate cultural diversity with themes such as Arabian Week, Bollywood Week and International Week, encouraging mall-goers to continue to discover something new each week throughout the festival.

Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer at QTA, commented, “Shop Qatar 2018 carries the collaborative spirit which will bring the tourism sector – with both public and private sector partners – towards realising its 5-year goals outlined in the Next Chapter of Qatar’s National Tourism Sector Strategy. The festival will be the first of many projects in 2018 which support our efforts to diversify source markets and enrich our annual calendar of tourist events.” He added, “In addition to diversifying our tourism products, Shop Qatar 2018 is designed to appeal to an international audience, leveraging the country’s new status as the most open country in the region.”

Supporting Local Businesses

In support of local entrepreneurs, Shop Qatar organisers will erect 30 pop-up shops in Mall of Qatar where small businesses can showcase their products and benefit from the high footfall generated by the festival, all while providing the mall’s visitors with an authentic Qatari experience.

Shop Qatar is also partnering with Qatar Development Bank to provide several of the 30 pop-up shops to SMEs incubated and supported by the Bank.

Khalid Al Manaa, Executive Director of Business Finance at Qatar Development Bank commented, “The Bank's strategic objective is to develop the human capital in Qatar and enable them to play an essential role in the development and diversification of the national economy, and effectively contribute to achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Qatar Shopping Festival is an ideal platform to achieve our goals of supporting home-based projects, motivating young entrepreneurs to access the Qatari market, engaging with competitors, identifying the mechanism of the market and gaining practical experience that helps them develop their business, and exploring new business opportunities. Our participation in the Qatar Shopping Festival is part of many initiatives, programs and competitions offered by Qatar Development Bank to support and encourage new projects and creative ideas.”

For authentic shopping experiences, Shop Qatar has partnered with Embrace Doha to lead shopping tours at Souq Waqif throughout Shop Qatar. Individuals interested in learning how to find their way through the traditional marketplace can join either the Women’s, Men’s or Family tours that will run between 5:00pm and 6:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The tours will guide groups of maximum 15 people through the Souq, stopping along the way to sample and learn about spices, incense, traditional food, art and clothes.

Mashal Shahbik, Director of Festivals & Tourism Events at QTA commented, “In its second edition, Shop Qatar invites residents and visitors to explore and embrace diversity through its differently themed weeks. The growing involvement and participation of partners from the private sector and local businesses is key to ensuring that our festivals reflect Qatar’s culture, and the economic and social needs of its citizens and residents.”

Fashion-Forward Events

In addition to finding attractive shopping offers on the latest collections, style-savvy residents and visitors are invited to learn about the newest trends in the world of fashion and makeup. Festival organisers have announced a series of make-up masterclasses with renowned artists, as well as free makeup sessions in malls as part of Shop Qatar 2018.

And, for a glimpse of the world’s latest couture and ready-to-wear fashion from Marrakesh to Mumbai, Shop Qatar will host three fashion shows throughout the festival. A total of 34 designers from around the world will be showcasing over 300 different looks in the Shop Qatar fashion shows.

For the fashionistas and aspiring fashion designers, a three-day master class with world-renowned Spanish designer Alejandro Resta will be held at HBKU between 21 and 23 January. No prior experience is required. Those interested to know more about registration and fees can follow Shop Qatar’s social media for details when they are announced.

Lively Entertainment for The Whole Family

The Festival organisers also announced that Shop Qatar 2018 will offer a rich array of live performances by singing sensations and unlimited family-friendly entertainment in a festive, safe environment that reflects local culture and heritage. Confirmed artists include India’s Sonu Nigam and American duo, and international band the Chainsmokers. Tickets for their performances will be announced in coming weeks.

Shop Qatar will support many outdoor events that will allow the public to enjoy Qatar’s lovely weather during the winter season. To this end, QTA is cooperating with local private company QSports, which is organising two major outdoor festivals this winter.

Ghanim Al Mohannadi, Deputy Chairman of QSports said, “Following the success of the Qatar Summer Festival’s Entertainment City, we are proud to partner with Souq Waqif, a cultural institution in Qatar, to bring new and popular attractions such as Qatar’s largest outdoor trampoline park, Ocean Ball Kids Play area and outstanding food court. With live entertainment and 30 unique amusement park rides, families can look forward to more than 60 activities to enjoy at the Souq Waqif from 25 December 2017 to 25 April 2018.”

“Qatar can look forward to another entertainment extravaganza as we partner with Mall of Qatar for the Mall of Qatar Fun Fair which will take place between 15 January to 15 April. From Paintballing to giant slides and the world’s first 3-axis Virtual Reality Game, Mall of Qatar and Al Rayyan hotel visitors are in for a treat.”

Participating retail partners will also host exclusive in-mall entertainment and roaming mall shows, with fun for the whole family.

Chances to win cars and cash prizes worth up to QAR 4,000,000

Shoppers who spend QAR 200 at any of the participating retailers can enter a weekly raffle draw for a chance to win BMW cars and cash prizes worth up to QAR 4 million. Draws will be held on the first three Thursdays of the Festival (11, 18 & 25 January 2018), with two cars and 13 cash prizes ranging from QAR 10,000 to QAR 100,000 to be won each week. The final draw will take place at the closing ceremony on Wednesday, 7 February.

Details of more events and activations will be announced during the course of the coming few weeks. To find out more, visit www.shopqatar.qa and follow the dedicated Shop Qatar social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Are you excited for another eventful edition of Shop Qatar? Did you take part in any of last year's raffle draws? Drop us a line in the comments below and let us know! Also, don't forget to like and share this article!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Ashlee

Start a discussion