Shop Qatar, the country’s only nation-wide shopping festival is set to return for its third edition bigger and better than before. Kicking off in mid-December to bring flair to the season's festivities, it brings a host of new features for residents and visitors to indulge and enjoy.

Bringing under its umbrella some of the season's most festive dates, Shop Qatar will be off to a strong start with the first edition of the National Day Trade Festival - running between 15 and 20 December - and will extend to 20 January 2019 to include all of the winter season's most exciting events.

The annual Shop Qatar festival invites residents and visitors to enjoy a variety of attractive retail offers at malls across the country as well as exciting fashion, lifestyle and entertainment events.

Mashal Shahbik from National Tourism Council (NTC) commented, “Shop Qatar's activities have been carefully curated to offer special offers for the bargain-hunter, the style-savvy and the fashion-forward while also affording visitors and residents of all ages and interests various opportunities to join in celebrating this special season in Qatar." She added, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners from both the public and private sectors for their continuous collaboration in building and growing the country's festivals and tourism events year on year.”

Retail Offers

Bargain hunters will enjoy discounts on international brands with a chance to win cash and car prizes worth 3 million QAR. Starting from 15 December, shoppers will enjoy discounts on a range of consumer goods including clothes, electronics, cosmetics and accessories for men, women and children - in addition to a host of exclusive in-mall entertainment and roaming mall shows, with fun for the whole family.

In celebration of Qatar National Day – and in a move to bolster trade activities across the country - the first edition of the National Day Trade Festival is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with NTC.

Faissal Alhaithami, Media Officer at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry commented, “This large and first-of-its-kind initiative comes within the framework of the Ministry's efforts to organise events that reflect pride and joy in Qatar National Day and grants the retail sector and various private companies the opportunity to offer unprecedented discounts that promote domestic and international tourism, thus attracting citizens, residents and visitors during this period of the year.”

The festival's 14 participating retail partners are Al Mirqab Mall, AlKhor Mall, City Centre, Dar Al Salam Mall, Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Royal Plaza, Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall & The Pearl-Qatar.

Hospitality

More than 50 hotels across Qatar will have special offers throughout Shop Qatar. The offers include discounted room nights, promotions at F&B outlets and health club services as well as free airport transfers.

Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer at Katara Hospitality commented, “Shop Qatar has become a beacon for Qatar’s growing hospitality and tourism industry and we are honoured to partner with NTC for the third consecutive year. With the aim of providing unique yet diverse experiences within our local hotels, Katara Hospitality places high importance on initiatives that enhance our combined offerings while highlighting our passion for creating ultimate guest experiences. We are looking forward to seeing more successful collaborations in the years to come."

Shop & Win

Shoppers who spend QAR 200 at any of the 14 participating retailers can enter a weekly raffle draw for a chance to win cars and cash prizes worth up to QAR 3 million. Draws will be held on the first three Thursdays of the Festival (27 December 2018, 3 & 10 January 2019), with two cars and 7 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 Sunday, 20 January 2019.

Samer Bou Dargham, General Manager for Alfardan Premier Motors, the official retailer of Jaguar Land Rover in Qatar, commented, “Our partnership with NTC to participate at Shop Qatar 2019, is in line with the company's strategy to support all national events and reiterates our belief in the important role the Council is playing in promoting the local tourism sector. The name of Alfardan Premier Motors, has been closely associated with major events and activities in the country, underlining our unwavering commitment as a key partner in all occasions in Qatar.”

Shop Qatar Design District

For the first time in Shop Qatar, the Design District offers a hub for the festival's fashion-forward events and activations. Held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), the District brings a colorful showcase of pop-up shops, cafes, and more than 20 fashion shows, workshops and masterclasses all under one roof between the 5^th and 12^th of January.

Noor Al Thani, Shop Qatar Project Manager commented, "The festival supports malls as well as independent retailers and local entrepreneurs by offering a platform to showcase their businesses and products." She added, "The Shop Qatar Design District brings together the biggest names in fashion and makeup from the region and beyond all under the same roof, to cement Qatar’s position as an emerging fashion and style hub."

In addition to its international fashion shows, beauty masterclasses and workshops the District will host a busy schedule of live entertainment.

Kimberly Guthrie from the Virginia Commonwealth University - Qatar commented, “It is a very exciting time in Qatar as both education and industry have a fresh focus on new opportunities to cultivate and celebrate creative and design talent as they work together to identify truly innovative and forward-thinking ideas and solutions to support the design, fashion, and art industries.”

Authentic Experiences

For authentic shopping experiences, Shop Qatar has renewed its partnership with Embrace Doha to lead shopping tours at Souq Waqif. Individuals interested in learning how to find their way through the traditional marketplace can join guided tours that will run on Saturdays guiding groups through the Souq, stopping along the way to sample and learn about spices, incense, traditional food, art and clothes.

Beyond the Malls

In addition to the fashion-focused events, the final week of Shop Qatar 2019 will see a host of live music concerts featuring Pakistani, Indian and globally-renowned artists. Details on artists and tickets will be announced at a later date.

And, in parallel with all of Shop Qatar's events and activations, there will be numerous other festivities taking place around Qatar. They include the Souq Waqif Spring Festival & Souq Waqif AlWakra Spring Festival; Torba Farmer's Market at Qatar Foundation's Ceremonial Court on weekends; the Night Market at Duhail Sports Club daily from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am and the Tegahwa coffee event at Al Hazm happening daily daily until 19 January 2019. Entertainment World Village will reopen its doors to the public and Local Arabic play Compars will take to the Qatar National Theatre stage on Saturday, 5 January 2019.

Follow Shop Qatar Online To find out more, visit www.shopqatar.qa and follow the dedicated Shop Qatar social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Source: Press Release

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