The first edition of Shop Qatar, a new festival organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), will feature 30 pop-up stores across five of the participating malls from January 7 to February 7.
Shop Qatar is hosted by Mall of Qatar, Ezdan, Lagoona, The Gate and Landmark malls. A source told Gulf Times that a majority of the stores are Qatar-based start-up businesses while some have been operating for more than four years and established a name for themselves.
The move is part of QTA’s aim of supporting local entrepreneurs, who will have the opportunity to showcase their products at the festival dubbed as ‘A Brand New Tradition’.
Participating retail outlets at the malls will offer a wide range of promotions and discounts on popular brands, and major prizes for the raffle draws, as well as an array of entertainment activities and shows at the festival, which is expected to attract a large number of domestic and foreign visitors.
The source noted that some of the pop-up stores will include Artikkan, an enterprise focusing on modern and oriental (fusion) furniture; Maryam Aldarwish, which specialises in ready-to-wear fashion; and Fanilla Couture, which offers a wide range of apparel, including kaftans, dresses, modern galabias, travel kimonos, sweat pants, sweaters, hoodies, and passport covers, among others.
Now operating at Hamad International Airport, 51 East stores, the Gate Mall and Boutique Muscat, Fanilla Couture aims to showcase its products overseas and “see westerners wearing them that reflect the Arabic rich culture.”
Other pop-up stores will also include The Color Recipe (consulting), participating at The Gate Mall for two weeks; Waad (clothing) at Landmark Mall for four weeks; and Sonali Raman (clothing accessories) at Ezdan Mall for four weeks.
Besides clothing and furniture, some start-up businesses will also display unique and hand-made products at the festival, the source added.
Qatar authorities have been encouraging young Qataris to put up their own businesses or small and medium-sized enterprises as part of their effort to help diversify the country’s economy despite having a “very low” unemployment rate.
In a statement, QTA noted that Shop Qatar will also feature local products designed by students of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and other local designers at these pop-up stores. The Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development noted that the demographic of many Qatari entrepreneurs comprises university students, graduates, and working professionals.
Many of these entrepreneurs are also looking at lifestyle and technology businesses, particularly the food and beverage sector, according to Bedaya.
The move is part of QTA’s aim of supporting local entrepreneurs, who will have the opportunity to showcase their products at the festival dubbed as ‘A Brand New Tradition’.
Participating retail outlets at the malls will offer a wide range of promotions and discounts on popular brands, and major prizes for the raffle draws, as well as an array of entertainment activities and shows at the festival, which is expected to attract a large number of domestic and foreign visitors.
The source noted that some of the pop-up stores will include Artikkan, an enterprise focusing on modern and oriental (fusion) furniture; Maryam Aldarwish, which specialises in ready-to-wear fashion; and Fanilla Couture, which offers a wide range of apparel, including kaftans, dresses, modern galabias, travel kimonos, sweat pants, sweaters, hoodies, and passport covers, among others.
Now operating at Hamad International Airport, 51 East stores, the Gate Mall and Boutique Muscat, Fanilla Couture aims to showcase its products overseas and “see westerners wearing them that reflect the Arabic rich culture.”
Other pop-up stores will also include The Color Recipe (consulting), participating at The Gate Mall for two weeks; Waad (clothing) at Landmark Mall for four weeks; and Sonali Raman (clothing accessories) at Ezdan Mall for four weeks.
Besides clothing and furniture, some start-up businesses will also display unique and hand-made products at the festival, the source added.
Qatar authorities have been encouraging young Qataris to put up their own businesses or small and medium-sized enterprises as part of their effort to help diversify the country’s economy despite having a “very low” unemployment rate.
In a statement, QTA noted that Shop Qatar will also feature local products designed by students of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and other local designers at these pop-up stores. The Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development noted that the demographic of many Qatari entrepreneurs comprises university students, graduates, and working professionals.
Many of these entrepreneurs are also looking at lifestyle and technology businesses, particularly the food and beverage sector, according to Bedaya.