The Second edition of ‘Shop Qatar’ kicks off with a colourful opening ceremony
The second edition of the highly successful Shop Qatar event has kicked off with a colourful and pulsating opening ceremony at the Al Hazm Mall yesterday.
Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani launched the event, reported Gulf Times.
The opening ceremony, which included a series of cultural performances and entertainment shows, was attended by several VIPs including foreign diplomats, government officials and private sector leaders.
“Shop Qatar reflects the pioneering role that Qatar enjoys as a leading tourist destination in the region. We’re currently working on implementing the national tourism strategy in order to present lucrative products in Qatar,” said the minister during his opening address, according to The Peninsula.
A medley of cultural items from Europe to Asia to Africa staged by performers dressed in elaborate costumes highlighted the grand launch.
The event coincided with a series of shows in malls around the country, marking the beginning of the month-long festival, organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), in celebration of the country’s diverse retail offerings, against a backdrop of colourful cultural activities.
Shop Qatar 2018, being held under the theme ‘A Brand New Tradition’ and dubbed as ‘the country’s biggest shopping festival,’ will run until February 7.
The event will offer residents and visitors discounts on popular brands, car and cash prizes worth up to QR4m and a rich schedule of fashion and entertainment events.
The festival will shed light on the new and enticing additions to Qatar’s burgeoning retail scene, with 13 malls participating covering nearly 1,000,000sq m of retail space.
Retail outlets around Qatar will provide special offers and discounts of up to 50% on a range of consumer goods, including clothes, electronics, cosmetics and accessories for men, women and children.
Participating malls are, Al Khor Mall, City Center Mall, Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall, Villaggio, Ezdan Mall and Dar Al Salam Mall.
All you need to know about Shop Qatar 2018
Here is a list of things one can expect from the Shop Qatar 2018 event, first compiled by Qatar Tribune.
* Discounts and prizes: The festival will offer great discounts of up to 50%. Upon spending QR200, customers will get a chance to win cars and cash prizes worth up to QR4,000,000 in value.
* There’s something for everyone. Shop Qatar blends tradition with modernity, entertainment with shopping and exciting events with elegance.
* Each week, the festival will follow a different theme celebrating the diversity of cultures found in Qatar. The weeks included are Arabian, Bollywood and International Week.
* Weekly raffle draws: Shoppers who spend QR200 at any of the participating retailers can enter a weekly raffle draw for cash prizes worth up to QR4,000,000. The raffle draws will be held at 7:30pm on Thursdays (11th, 18th, 25th of January at Mall of Qatar, Hyat Plaza and Tawar Mall respectively). Two cars and 13 cash prizes ranging from QR10,000 to QR100,000 is up for grabs each week. The final draw will take place at the closing ceremony on Thursday, February 8, at Doha Festival City.
* Pop-up shops: In support of local talent and budding businesses, Shop Qatar will feature 30 pop-up shops at Mall of Qatar. Each week, new businesses will be featured in these shops allowing for over 100 businesses to benefit from the heavy footfall these pop-up shops attract. The pop-up shops will showcase unique and varied offerings as well as customised services.
* Unique Shopping Experiences: Shop Qatar will partner with Embrace Doha to lead shopping tours through the Souq Waqif, stopping along the way to sample and learn about spices, incense, traditional food, art and clothes. While the women’s tours will be on January 18 and January25 (both Thursdays), those for men will be on January 19 and January26 (both Fridays). Family Tours (Free for children under 14) will be held on January 20 and January27 (both Saturdays). The timing of the tour is from 5pm to 6.30pm ad each seat will cost QR150. There will only be a maximum of 15 people in a group. You can register at http://www.shopqatar.qa/discover/shop-qatar-tours/
* Fashion focus: Shop Qatar will host three fashion shows throughout the festival. A total of 34 designers from around the world will showcase over 300 different looks in the Shop Qatar fashion shows. The red-carpet events will each follow the cultural theme of the week it will be held in.
* Couture design workshop: For both fashionistas and aspiring fashion designers, a three-day master class with world-renowned Spanish designer Alejandro Resta will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Doha between January 21 and 23.
* Makeup masterclasses: Style-savvy residents and visitors are invited to learn about the newest trends in the world of fashion and makeup through a series of make-up masterclasses with renowned artists, as well as free makeup sessions in malls.
* Free family entertainment: Free roaming malls shows will continue throughout the month-long festival at all participating malls.
