Qatar’s retail sector continued to experience good business in the first two days of Eid al-Adha holidays as many residents prefer to shop and spend the short break in malls and shopping centres.
Several shops and boutiques across the country witnessed footfall returning to pre-pandemic levels, attracting shoppers with a wide range of promotions and special discounts.
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An employee of a renowned apparel store chain said the demand for newly-arrived items, which are usually not included in the promotions, also surged.
She noted that customers have been buying in bulk since the second week of June and this trend extended up to the holidays when a lot of families travelled abroad.
“From simple shirts, dresses, suits, jackets and jeans to a variety of shoes and other fashion accessories whether its price is reduced or not, people spend for these items. Our summer collection is a big hit and we hope to replicate it with upcoming collections in the months leading to the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” she said, noting that all the company’s branches in Doha have reached their sales targets.
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A row of retail outlets in Doha's Souq area
July also saw the opening of new stores in a number of malls, showcasing popular brands of shoes, sports apparel, fitness equipment, and luxury items, among others.
Weeks before and during the Eid al-Adha break lured many shoppers to an array of luxury and premium pieces such as high-end timepieces and jewellery.
An employee of a leading watch distributor in Qatar said he sees the Eid al-Adha holidays as an extension of the demand surge in the past two months for luxury watch brands.
“People simply want to have something new to wear for their travels, and we have been receiving a lot of customers almost daily since May,” he said, adding that they normally offer certain discounts ranging between 10% and 15% for watches apart from current promotions.
He pointed out that the industry, which was impacted heavily during the Covid-19 pandemic, is witnessing a strong recovery even during an off-peak period due to the influx of ‘quality buyers’.
Like watches, jewellery stores also recorded a rise in sales in the past three months. Customers opt for ornaments like necklaces and bracelets, as well as gold biscuits and coins.
It is learnt that the number of visitors from neighbouring GCC countries, mainly from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, continues to grow and is expected to further boost Qatar’s retail, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
Occupancy rates in many hotels in Doha have remained high this summer even without offering staycation packages, according to a number of hotel employees.
Hypermarkets and supermarkets, as well as furniture shops, are also getting a fair share of the windfall as many residents pick essential items while spending the break in the country.
“We see a lot of men buy home tool sets while ladies would often go for appliances and kitchen wares. The electronic section is a favourite destination of all age categories, including students looking for a new laptop or a mobile device,” an employee added.