New outlets will cater to all tastes and budgets and gradually open over coming months
Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is marking its 21st anniversary by unveiling a "significant investment and an enhanced retail portfolio" of 21 new shopping and dining outlets.With a focus on embracing a range of tastes and budgets, the “21 in 21” project will elevate the existing award-winning duty-free experience at Hamad International Airport (HIA), transforming it into a premier global destination for international air travellers, according to a press statement.The new outlets, which will be located in both the departure and arrival areas, will gradually open over the coming months.
Global brands will be featured, as well as several convenience and travel-essential stores – including a Big Value – and an enhanced dining offer that will make the QDF the perfect place for all passengers to wind down with some shopping therapy and culinary delights between flights.Qatar Airways Group chief executive HE Akbar al-Baker said: “We aim to offer an unrivalled retail and dining experience in a unique environment for all our passengers travelling through the HIA – the best airport in the Middle East and the third-best in the world – and introduce our customers to an enhanced Qatar Duty Free shopping experience.”HIA chief operating officer Badr Mohamed al-Meer said: “The latest expansion of the QDF’s retail portfolio is part of its joint effort with the HIA to provide passengers with a diverse range of retail and culinary experiences.”“The HIA’s expansive commercial space offers brands the opportunity to reach out to a truly global audience,” he added. “We are always looking to diversify our offering to curate memorable retail experiences for all.”QDF vice-president for Operations Thabet Musleh said: “In celebration of 21 years of award-winning accomplishments and delivering a 5-star service to customers, this major investment marks the start of a new chapter in the QDF's history and demonstrates our continuous commitment to providing a world-class duty-free experience.”Adding to an "existing outstanding portfolio of brands, Vialle di Lusso – a new shopping avenue at the HIA – will incorporate luxury outlets such as Armani and Chloe with an unrivalled selection of ready-to-wear fashion items and accessories", the statement notes.In addition, the QDF will launch the first airport boutique in the Middle East for fashion designer Valentino and debut standalone stores – the first in an airport in the Middle East – for prestigious brands such as Emilio Pucci, Fendi, and Jimmy Choo.An Emporio Armani Ristorante and Caffè will add more glamour to the Vialle di Lusso and offer an exquisite culinary experience in a relaxed setting, making the QDF the first travel retailer in the world to house the Emporio Armani Ristorante and Caffè.A stunning new perfumes and cosmetics store will also include the first Christian Louboutin boutique, making the QDF the first travel retailer in the world to provide Christian Louboutin products, the statement adds.The QDF will also be home to the first Adidas airport store, Q-Denim – a multi-brand men’s denim store – and Qatari fashion brand Kashkha.For diners, there will be something for all, including grab-and-go eateries for those on the move, a range of dine-in outlets, and fine-dining concepts to satisfy customers' appetite with more time to spare.In April, Qatar Airways signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture with HMSHost International, part of Autogrill Group, the largest food and beverage operator at high-traffic locations globally.The arrival duty-free will reveal a new look and feel, and a larger footprint with a wider selection of products and an impressive selection of global brands for travellers arriving in Qatar.In October 2020, the HIA and the QDF were voted as “Best Airport Voted for by Millennials” and “Best Airport Retail Environment” respectively, by the Travel Retail Awards 2020.