By Umer Nangiana
Name: Faisal Mehmood
Nationality: India
Shop and Location: Pashmina and garments shop, Inside from main Souq Street
What do you sell?
Atra (a form of Arabic head gear) and Pashmina are the two most selling items I have. Among them, Pashmina is the biggest selling. It is sort of a shawl that both men and women can use. It comes in different colours and designs and is very delicate. It is a perfect gift item.
Atra is worn by men mostly. It is a head gear that comes in specific prints and colours and is famous among young boys and men equally.
Then I have these colourful flowers that women can wear with Pashmina. This flower goes in the hair mostly and can be worn on the dress as well. Mostly people from Egypt purchase this. People also gift it to others so they would purchase in bulk.
Where do you source your goods from?
Pashmina mostly comes from India and some from other South Asian countries. The t-shirts also come from India along with the flowers.
What is your shop’s specialty?
My specialty is Pashmina. But I also have these t-shirts here with Qatar’s logos and flags and other information printed on the front of it. They sell very well. People like to buy them as souvenirs.
What kind of customers do you get mostly?
Almost all kinds, both local and expatriates besides Western tourists. Mostly, the tourists come here to buy Pashmina as a gift item and they buy it in bulk. Local expatriates also like it a lot.
How is business here?
Business is good. It gets even better in the winter season and will last until summer. A lot of westerners visit this place during that time.
What kind of customers annoys you?
All customers are good. I like everyone. (While talking to me he got two customers back to back and sold almost 10 Pashmina shawls to them).
What problems do you face running your business here?
There is no problem here. Business is very good and the environment is also very good; especially the security here is good. We have all facilities available like food and other stuff and we have never faced any problem.
What to do you like about Souq Waqif?
Souq Waqif is very peaceful place and it is very beautiful. I have been here for 15 years doing this business. The old Souq was different looking before this face-lift but this look I think suits it better. It feels good.
Also, there is a lot of activity going on here on special occasions which increases the customers for us. Especially on Eids and other occasions, it is more business for us as more people visit Souq Waqif.
Tell us your favourite anecdote about any of your customers?
I have no particular memory of any customer in particular. I liked them all equally. Anyone coming to my shop has behaved well and has been good to me.
If it was not this business, what else you would have been doing?
I have never thought about it. It has always been this business for me and I have spent most of my time here.
CONTENT: Faisal Mehmood stands in his shop.