QATAR. Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has revealed strong growth in revenue versus pre-pandemic 2019 at Hamad International Airport driven by a notable 70%+ uplift in sales per passenger (SPP) compared to the earlier period. The retailer said that it is on track to exceed 2019 monthly sales by year-end.
The retailer said that the stellar results validate the bullish decision to push ahead with an extensive redevelopment and expansion of its shopping and dining portfolio during the reduced traffic period across the pandemic.
In addition to enhancing its existing core duty free proposition, Qatar Duty Free has broadened its offer with the launch of numerous new concept and brand stores and food & beverage outlets including an Adidas store and an Apple store.
Another highlight is Viale Del Lusso, the recently opened luxury fashion avenue. This elegant zone features the first airport boutique in the Middle East for the fashion designer Valentino, as well as debut airport boutiques in the Middle East for Emilio Pucci, Fendi and Jimmy Choo plus the first ever Emporio Armani Ristorante and Emporio Armani Caffè in an airport globally.
Qatar Duty Free also recently opened concept stores Big Value – a duty free shop catering to budget-conscious customers – and Q-Denim.
“The vision of QDF and the Qatar Airways group, and their commitment to readiness and continued reinvention has delivered notable results,” the company said. “In recent months, QDF has witnessed the travellers’ desire for a relative return to normality with more passengers spending and those passengers spending more than pre-COVI-19.”
With many more new stores, boutiques, and dining outlets to be revealed in coming months across the departures and arrivals zones at the airport recently named the world’s best in the annual Skytrax Awards in the coming months, QDF expects to see further growth as it enters 2022. Next year will be a particularly notable one as the retailer welcomes fans to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in an expanded airport.
Work is continuing apace on the Hamad International Airport expansion, a project that will add 11,720sq m of shopping and food & beverage space.
Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh said: “The strategy of turning the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity and accelerating plans to invest in the enhancement of our retail and dining offer at such a large scale is surely unique across the travel retail industry and has clearly paid off.
“The very positive financial results we have achieved compared to the period before the pandemic is a testament to the unequivocal success of our continued investment into more than 21 new projects.
“We thank all our brand partners who have believed in and supported us during this time to launch many world firsts and exclusives with QDF – all of which have outperformed expectations. We look forward to introducing many more new retail and dining concepts in the existing terminal in the coming months.”
Footnote: Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free continued to operate throughout the pandemic and strove to ensure passengers transiting through the airport experienced a safe and comfortable journey.
As reported, Hamad International Airport (HIA) was recently named the World’s Best Airport in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA also received accolades for Best Airport in the Middle East, Best Airport with 25 to 35 million Passengers, Best Airport Staff in the Middle East, and COVID-19 Airport Excellence.
Qatar Airways was also recently announced as Airline of the Year for an unprecedented sixth time at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It also snared World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat, World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering, and Best Airline in the Middle East.
