Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has partnered with premium Belgian chocolatier Godiva to launch its first in-store interactive wall display in travel retail designed to appeal to chocolate-loving passengers travelling through Hamad International Airport (HIA).
This “next-generation innovative installation” is equipped with a “unique, built-in concierge application designed to offer customers their perfect choice of product”, QDF has said in a statement.
Shoppers are asked to answer a series of questions through the application, allowing it to identify their perfect Godiva chocolate gift box to match their tastes.
Qatar Duty Free vice-president (Operations) Thabet Musleh said: “We are pleased to partner with Godiva to delight chocolate lovers passing through our home and hub, Hamad International Airport, with this new interactive display. At QDF, we are committed to offering our passengers new, exclusive and memorable experiences every time they shop with us.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with one of the world’s finest chocolate brands, offering our passengers a sweet escape with a first-hand, personalised experience into the world of chocolate with Godiva for the first time at Qatar Duty Free.”
Godiva global sales president Matthew Hodgessaid: “The idea of the interactive ‘wallbay’, which is a first for Godiva, was born out of the realisation that today’s consumers shop in a different way than their predecessors. They are looking for engagement with the brand, for an interaction that makes them feel valued and appreciated. This joint project with QDF will enhance the appeal of our gifting items and, through the clever use of technology, make it easy for millennials to purchase products based on their specific needs.”
QDF is the second-largest duty-free operator in the Middle East and one of the largest duty-free retailers in the world, the statement notes.
It boasts of more than 90 boutiques and luxury, high-end stores, as well as over 30 restaurants and cafés covering an area of 40,000sqm at HIA.
Luxury brands available at the airport include Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Bulgari, Hermès, Burberry, Moncler, Rolex and Harrods.
Godiva is a global leader in premium, artisanal chocolate.
Founded in 1926, the iconic brand has distribution in more than 100 countries across the world.
Qatar Duty Free was recently awarded ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the 2018 DFNI Global Awards.
In addition, in April, the leading airport retailer was recognised at the PAX International Readership Awards, when Qatar Airways won ‘Best In-Flight Duty Free Program’ for the Middle East and Africa and was acknowledged as an industry leader for its outstanding in-flight duty free service, which is operated by QDF