Alister Calder, flanked by Kirk Martin (right) and Elias Tanois Tabet explaining a point to journalists yesterday. PICTURE: T K Nassar

The premium retail sector in Qatar is poised to record further growth according to Spinneys chief development officer, Alister Calder.Calder, said Spinneys has ambitious plans in Qatar and the company is planning at least six outlets in Qatar by 2014. “ Qatar showed its economic buoyancy even when the world economy recorded negative growth,” he said. Calder who joined Spinneys in 2008, is based in Beirut and is responsible for identification and delivery of the company’s new store development programme throughout the Middle East, involving such aspects as design, construction, and procurement, together with managing the existing properties and taking up other responsibilities like health, safety and environmental issues besides sustainable development.The GCC region, he said, has always been a key target market for Spinneys. Qatar in particular is considered one of the most stable, and strong markets with a constantly rising economy. “Our investment in Qatar was a natural expansion of Spinneys operations to one of the most promising GCC markets,” he said.Answering a question on Spinneys viability in a small market with a total population of 1.7mn, Calder said the decision to launch outlets was taken after extensive studies and research. “There is a growing community here which is seeking premium products and our presence in Qatar will naturally attract this segments to our retail outlets,” he said.Spinneys, he recalled, signed an agreement in February 2009 to open outlets in Qatar at Al-Waab City, and this paved the way for the roll out of as many as six stores in the country by 2014.“As Qatar continues to develop, we hope to become an even bigger part of the local society by opening further more branches in its fast developing locations, offering more for local customers,” added Calder.Spinneys also announced yesterday that the company is opening two stores this summer at Doha’s high profile residential, commercial and hospitality location, The Pearl-Qatar.Of the two, one is a 4,000sqm full-service “flagship” supermarket, which will be set up at Medina Central and the other a 500sqm supermarket at the Porta Arabia.Executive Vice president (Fashion & Retail Leasing) at The Pearl-Qatar Kirk Martin said: “Spinneys have chosen unquestionably an ideal location to host two key outlets in Qatar, besides the one the company is already running at The Mall.”