Qatar Duty Free celebrates 21st anniversary with investments in HIA retail outlets

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) is marking its 21st anniversary by unveiling a significant investment and an enhanced retail portfolio of 21 new shopping and dining outlets. With a focus on embracing a range of tastes and budgets, the "21 in 21" project will elevate the existing award-winning duty free experience at Hamad International Airport (HIA), transforming it into a premier global destination for international air travellers, QDF said in a press statement Wednesday. The new outlets, which will be located in both the departure and arrival areas, will gradually open over the coming months featuring global brands, several convenience and travel-essential stores - including a Big Value – and an enhanced dining offer that will make QDF the perfect place for all passengers to wind down with some shopping therapy and culinary delights between flights. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: “We aim to offer an unrivalled retail and dining experience in a unique environment for all our passengers travelling through HIA - the best airport in the Middle East and the third-best in the world – and introduce our customers to an enhanced Qatar Duty Free shopping experience.” Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA, said: "The latest expansion of QDF’s retail portfolio is part of its joint effort with HIA to provide passengers with a diverse range of retail and culinary experiences. HIA’s expansive commercial space offers brands the opportunity to reach out to a truly global audience. We are always looking to diversify our offering to curate memorable retail experiences for all.” Thabet Musleh, Vice President, Operations, Qatar Duty Free, said: “In celebration of 21 years of award-winning accomplishments and delivering a five-star service to customers, this major investment marks the start of a new chapter in QDF's history and demonstrates our continuous commitment to providing a world-class duty free experience." Adding to an existing outstanding portfolio of brands, Vialle di Lusso - a new shopping avenue at HIA - will incorporate luxury outlets such as Armani and Chloe with an unrivalled selection of ready-to-wear fashion items and accessories. In addition, QDF will launch the first airport boutique in the Middle East for the  fashion designer Valentino and will debut stand-alone stores - the first in an airport in the Middle East - for prestigious brands such as Emilio Pucci, Fendi and Jimmy Choo. An Emporio Armani Ristorante and Caffè will add more glamour to the Vialle di Lusso and offer an exquisite culinary experience in a relaxed setting, making QDF the first travel retailer in the world to house the Emporio Armani Ristorante and Caffè. A stunning new Perfumes and Cosmetics store will also include the first Christian Louboutin boutique, making QDF the first travel retailer in the world to provide Christian Louboutin products. QDF will also be home to the first Adidas airport store, Q-Denim - a multi-brand men’s denim store - and the Qatari fashion brand Kashkha. For diners, there will be something for all, including grab-and-go eateries for those on the move, a range of dine-in outlets, and fine-dining concepts to satisfy customers' appetite with more time to spare. In April, Qatar Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a Joint Venture with HMSHost International, part of Autogrill Group, the largest food and beverage operator at high traffic locations globally. The arrival duty free will reveal a new look and feel and a larger footprint with a wider selection of products and an impressive selection of global brands for travellers arriving in Qatar. In October 2020, HIA and QDF were voted as "Best Airport Voted for by Millennials" and "Best Airport Retail Environment", respectively, by the Travel Retail Awards 2020.