The 2020 edition of the annual Shop Qatar, which will run from January 7 to 31, will offer discounts in malls across the country, as well as raffle draws featuring car and cash prizes worth up to QR2mn, Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) announced Wednesday.
Shop Qatar includes a vibrant schedule of luxury fashion and entertainment events, along with travel deals and visa facilitation throughout the festival.
QNTC, in collaboration with Qatar Airways, has partnered with 10 malls across the country, along with The Pearl-Qatar to host fashion shows, makeup classes, and family entertainment events, while offering discounts of up to 70% on a range of consumer goods.
The raffle draws will be held weekly, offering shoppers who spend QR200 at any of the participating retailers a chance to win six cars and cash prizes worth over QR2mn.
Shop Qatar is part of a wider programme to promote Qatar as an international travel destination with diverse offerings and products across retail, entertainment, and culture. The festival is part of QNTC’s efforts to stimulate the economy and promote the retail sector by encouraging stakeholder participation in building products for residents and visitors alike. The festival’s 2019 edition had over 3,000 stores participating and sales vouchers worth QR58.4mn.
HE Akbar al-Baker, secretary general of QNTC and GCEO of Qatar Airways, said: “As one of the most significant events in our annual calendar, Shop Qatar provides a compelling value proposition to our international and local audiences through bespoke fashion, world-class attractions, and entertainment.
“We have worked closely with our partners across the retail and entertainment sectors to ensure the festival is designed to boost retail activity within the country, position Qatar as the ideal winter getaway, and further develop our offering to suit our priority markets. That is why, for the first time in its history, Shop Qatar will host week-long Chinese New Year celebrations with events and attractions across the country.”
Shop Qatar will showcase the work of local and regional designers, with a series of fashion shows, including one for children, makeup masterclasses with celebrity artists and influencers, and will culminate during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Mall activations, children’s entertainment shows, and a host of live music concerts featuring renowned Pakistani and Indian artists are set to wow audiences.
Fashionistas can catch a glimpse of the world’s latest couture and ready-to-wear fashions as designers, such as Nicholas Jebran, Ahmed Talfeet, Laith Maalof, Baris, Naja Saade, Toufic al-Hassan, and Amjad al-Adab showcase their 2020 Spring/Summer collections at Al Hazm along with local designers, including Waad, Soleil Abayas, Shaden, Al Dukan, Sarmad, and Tamader al-Sultan.
Aspiring makeup artists can learn from the best – sign up for a masterclass by celebrity artist Mario Dedivanovic or Hanan AlNajadah at shopqatar.qa or through an open workshop by Dalal al-Refaii.
Shop Qatar will culminate on the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Visitors and residents can enjoy a fashion show at Al Hazm, featuring Chinese designers Lan Yu and Grace Chen. They can further enjoy CNY festivities with in-mall activations, including a dragon parade, traditional Chinese performances, as well as arts and crafts activities.
This year’s Shop Qatar will see a plethora of free stage shows, including Masha and the Bear and Shaun the Sheep, as well as the interactive Justice League Parade. Live music options abound with musicians playing at select malls at weekends.
Children and adults alike can enjoy Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish at Qatar National Convention Centre, with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and four singers bringing favourite songs from beloved Disney movies to life. Fans of South Asian music will be serenaded by stars at the PK Music Fest and a concert featuring Indian artist Sonu Nigam.
Qatar Airways Holidays is offering fly and stay packages to visitors from both Oman and Kuwait, which include return flights, two nights (plus breakfast) at 5, 4, and 3-star hotels, as well as a free shopping transfer tour. Chauffeur services will be available on request.
In addition, the Ministry of the Interior is offering visitors a more streamlined application process through its new visa portal. Applications will be processed within 24 hours for those identifying Shop Qatar as the reason for their visit. A partnership with Careem provides a 50% credit to shoppers using the service to visit participating locations during Shop Qatar.     Shop Qatar is made possible through official telecommunications partner Vodafone, hospitality partners Katara Hospitality and the Ritz-Carlton, as well as luxury partner, Al Hazm.

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