Introduction: Qatar Obligation Free is building in direction of this 12 months’s FIFA World Cup – which kicks off in Doha on 20 November – and the opening of Hamad Worldwide Airport’s (HIA) much-anticipated growth with a flurry of retailer openings and improvements within the current South Node Plaza.
The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie and Manufacturers Editor & Digital Advertising and marketing Supervisor Hannah Tan-Gillies have been on location in Doha this week to carry unique protection of the openings as a part of our particular sequence on Qatar Obligation Free and Hamad Worldwide.
Click on right here for our unique report on this week’s opening of the very good Louis Vuitton boutique, a excessive level (in a number of methods as the pictures present) for retailer, model and a sure beloved mascot known as Vivienne.
The editorial sequence will culminate in protection of the inauguration of the airport growth later this 12 months, timed to precede the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Moodie Davitt Report has been privileged to obtain two unique preview excursions of the growth over the previous 4 months (together with this week) and whereas we can’t present you any of the strictly below wraps particulars, we are able to promise you {that a} new marvel of the airport world is taking form.
As reported, Qatar Obligation Free Vice President Thabet Musleh will probably be delivering a world premiere presentation on the growth at The Trinity Discussion board in Singapore (1-2 November).
Immediately we showcase among the newest additions to Qatar Obligation Free’s sporting, magnificence, style, luxurious, and responsibility free line-up within the South Node, with extra to observe on meals & beverage in coming days.
SPORTING PROWESS
On this FIFA World Cup QATAR 2022 12 months, what extra acceptable place to start out than on a football-related word? In July, Qatar Airways was introduced as the brand new Official Jersey Associate for French soccer champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The multi-year partnership commenced in the beginning of the 2022/23 season.
The deal extends the Qatari flag provider’s affiliation with the well-known French soccer membership, having been its Official Airline Associate since 2020. Constructing on that affiliation, Qatar Obligation Free has simply opened a Paris Saint-German boutique at Hamad Worldwide Airport to exchange the previous retailer. It presents a wide selection of official membership merchandise in a extremely partaking and experiential setting, adjoining to a vibrant FC Bayern Munich boutique. Qatar Airways is the Bundesliga champion’s sleeve sponsor, as a part of a five-year deal.
SCENTS OF PLACE
Native luxurious perfume home Al-Jazeera Perfumes makes its debut in luxurious fashion with this boutique at Qatar Obligation Free. Al-Jazeera is the first-ever official perfume sponsor of the FIFA World Cup to launch a line of World Cup-themed scents, notes Qatar Obligation Free Vice President Thabet Musleh. “Al-Jazeera Perfumes is an outstanding model and this can be a very good retailer,” he says.
NICHE FRAGRANCES
Qatar Obligation Free now presents among the finest magnificence presents within the journey retail world. A part of the attract is the steadiness between famend worldwide favourites and emergent area of interest manufacturers from unbiased and multi-national homes alike.
THE NEW QDF BEAUTY STORE…
{Click on on the YouTube icon to look at Martin Moodie’s walkthrough clip of the brand new multi-brand magnificence house at Qatar Obligation Free opened earlier that day. Click on right here for our intensive devoted report.}
… AND THE ENHANCED EXISTING PERFUMES & COSMETICS ZONE
DUTY FREE BIG VALUE
Final 12 months Qatar Obligation Free unveiled the primary in a deliberate sequence of shops that provides merchandise tailor-made to a budget-conscious client.
What it says within the title – Obligation Free Huge Worth – it delivers via an emphasis on value-orientated liquor, confectionery and mid-priced magnificence.
DAY 2 DAY
“By the tip of the 12 months we should always have 12 of those Day 2 Day shops,” stated Musleh. “Immediately [speaking on 23 August] we’ve bought three on-line. By the tip of this week we should always have three extra after which we’ve bought the growth and the north node to return.
“For us it’s a comfort provide and a bit bit extra. We’ve souvenirs in right here, actually celebrating Qatar. We’ve a wholesome part with wholesome snacks and many others. Plus toys and souvenirs and we’ve partnered with L’Oréal on this nice ‘Final name for magnificence’ idea.
“We even have books and electronics, so it’s not your regular comfort provide. That’s as a result of we’re the proprietor/operator, we are able to develop extra classes than in a typical airport atmosphere the place you could have conflicts [with other retailers]. Whereas with us it’s throughout the shopper expertise and actually taking care of the shopper. Even to the purpose with regards to cigarettes; we don’t promote single packs of cigarettes, we promote cartons.
“I do know that lots of airports promote single packs and infrequently the worth is over inflated. However for us, after we promote a buyer ten packs, they’re getting higher worth for cash. We’re getting the upper spend and the shopper advantages. Everybody’s a winner.
“We’ve bought the whole lot together with stationery, electronics, energy circumstances, headphone cables, and water [including an own brand Day 2 Day label at half the price of Evian -Ed]. And we’ve got the entire digital facia, which makes these shops distinctive. We will then tailor that digital content material to no matter we wish. We will put model content material on right here or our personal content material.”
“We’ve additionally launched our first self-service instruments (pictured above) that we’ve got developed in-house,” says Wheeler. “They’re branded as Day 2 Day and we will probably be placing them into all of the Day 2 Day shops now that we’ve got trialed it right here. It’s been very profitable as velocity of service is an enormous a part of any such enterprise.”
FASHION AND LUXURY
THE WATCH ROOM
The Watch Room, opened in early Could, brings collectively among the nice watch names of the world. Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, IWC, Montblanc, Panerai, Ulysse Nardin, Zenith and others are introduced in a sublime and refined atmosphere. The understated and refined VIP space (beneath) presents limited-edition watches and luxurious, personalised service.
REGIONAL FASHION
VICTORIA’S SECRET
“It’s their new worldwide look, quite a bit much less black, extra pink and extra female,” says Senior Supervisor Retail Operations Barry Wheeler of the brand new boutique. “And so they selected us to be the primary airport retailer to do their panties and bras. It has been an incredible success with our worldwide passengers and likewise appeals to the native market, with lots of males procuring, one thing which you wouldn’t essentially count on.”
Thabet Musleh says that the boutique employees are expertly educated within the professional (and discreet) artwork of becoming to make sure a snug buyer expertise.