QATAR. In what promises to be a major highlight of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo next week, the winners of The QDF Factor 2021 will be named at a special ceremony on Friday 15 October (1100 Central European Time, 1700 Beijing). Shortlisted candidates will be named on the first day of the event on Monday 11 October (1445 CET, 2045 Beijing). Click here to register for the Virtual Expo.
The QDF Factor is an initiative between Qatar Duty Free and The Moodie Davitt Report to champion innovation at a time when travel retail needs it more than ever. Entries closed on 3 October, with a high-quality list of submissions made by brands from around the world.
The QDF Factor offers a top prize of a six-month listing* in 2022 at Qatar Duty Free’s award-winning retail offer in Hamad International Airport, Doha, recently voted Best Airport in the World by Skytrax.
The victor will also win a free six-month US$50,000 multi-media advertising campaign with The Moodie Davitt Report.
Additionally this year, every entrant will benefit from an extensive profile on The Moodie Davitt Report.com and a complimentary advertisement in a dedicated QDF Factor Moodie Davitt eZine, which appears in coming days before the final judging.
The Virtual Travel Retail Expo is run by The Moodie Davitt Report and FILTR.QINGWA (with co-organiser Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development), with Qatar Duty Free an exhibitor and Diamond Partner.
[Click on the YouTube icon to see the exciting culmination of The QDF Factor 2020]
Entrants, to be judged by Qatar Duty Free Vice President Thabet Musleh and his team, and The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie, will be assessed on a series of qualitative criteria, including:
- Innovation: What does this product or concept offer that is unique, stands out from its competitors, and creates a talking point for retailer and consumer alike? What is its USP?
- CSR: What additional social credentials does your product offer?
- Presentation: What is compelling about the packaging? What makes it stand out on shelf? What consideration has been given to people and the planet?
- Commercial viability: Who is your product targeted at? What makes it a winner? What is your pricing policy and (going forward) marketing approach?
- Overall quality: Tell us about the R&D that went into your product, the quality of its ingredients/components.
As in 2020, Qatar Duty Free may award more than one prize if sufficiently impressed (The Moodie Davitt Report will match any additional prizes with further advertising).
Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh said: “Qatar Duty Free has always placed innovation, newness and differentiation at the heart of our offer. So we are delighted to host The QDF Factor once again and recognise and reward those qualities.
“Additionally, we are very pleased to return to the Virtual Travel Retail Expo as a Diamond Partner. We will be showcasing not only our award-winning retail offer but also presenting a brilliant showcase of the extraordinarily ambitious extension at Hamad International Airport. And of course our team will be visiting all the brand exhibitors during the course of the week.”
*Note: Subject to standard commercial and payment terms being agreed.
