Shopping malls, traditional markets, and commercial centres across the country witnessed a surge in shoppers rushing to complete their Eid purchases, with families buying clothing, sweets, perfumes, gifts, household essentials, and festive supplies ahead of the holidays.
Doha, Al Wakrah, and Al Rayyan experienced heavy traffic congestion and crowded commercial districts as residents moved between malls, souqs, and retail centres late into the night to finalise their shopping.
Retailers nationwide launched extensive promotional campaigns and seasonal discounts to attract customers during what traders described as one of the year's busiest commercial periods. Major shopping destinations, including City Center Doha, Villaggio Mall, Landmark Mall, and Carrefour Qatar, recorded a sharp increase in footfall, driven by discounts on fashion, footwear, perfumes, cosmetics, home decor, electronics, and children’s toys.
Retail experts noted that consumer spending traditionally peaks during the final 48 hours before Eid, as many families deliberately postpone shopping until the last minute. Meanwhile, Souq Waqif emerged as one of the busiest destinations for Eid shoppers seeking traditional sweets, nuts, spices, Arabic perfumes, incense, and cultural garments.
Vendors reported brisk sales throughout the day, with customers from various nationalities visiting the historic marketplace to purchase gifts, children’s clothing, shoes, and festive treats. Sweet shops ramped up production of traditional Qatari and Gulf desserts, while perfume stores showcased collections of oud, incense, and luxury fragrances closely associated with Eid celebrations.
Shopkeepers said they had stocked large quantities of products across different price ranges to cater to varying customer preferences and budgets. The Eid rush also extended to tailoring shops across Doha, particularly in Souq Al Ali, where tailors worked round the clock to complete orders for traditional Qatari attire. Families crowded tailoring stores to order custom-made Eid thobes, especially for children, many of whom receive multiple outfits for the celebrations.
Tailors reported operating at full capacity, hiring additional staff, and extending working hours to meet overwhelming demand. Several stores also introduced same-day delivery services for customers racing to complete their preparations before Eid prayers.
Parents accompanied their children through malls and markets, turning the shopping experience into a festive family outing filled with excitement and anticipation. Consumers said discounts on clothing, footwear, accessories, cosmetics, and household items played a significant role in encouraging purchases amid growing competition among retailers.
Retail managers noted that stores had significantly increased their inventory ahead of Eid to ensure adequate supplies of garments, textiles, food products, beverages, nuts, cooking essentials, and decorative items.
The Eid shopping season continues to play a key role in stimulating Qatar’s retail economy, driving higher sales volumes and supporting growth across sectors including fashion, hospitality, food, and luxury goods. Strong consumer purchasing power, aggressive promotional campaigns, and deeply rooted cultural traditions have once again transformed the pre-Eid period into one of the country’s most vibrant commercial seasons.