File photo used for representation only.
Qatar’s retail market is booming with business again as customers begin to line-up at billing counters. With easing of COVID-19 restrictions, customers are back with their shopping list, setting the cash registers ringing at malls, hypermarkets and showrooms.
Buoyed by the uptick in customer demand, retailers are planning to launch new shopping campaign and offers. Last month was a game-changer for Qatar’s retail sector in reviving the customers’ demand.
“Last month was crucial in revival of demand in the market. We have seen significant pick up in the business. Customers are back in the market and this time they are focusing on value-buying,” a senior official of major retailer told The Peninsula.
“Going by the current trend, I am hopeful that demand will pick up further in coming months. We are planning to launch ‘Back to School’ campaign next month,” he said.
‘Back to School’ campaign is a major event for Qatar’s retail sector. Every season when schools reopen after vacation or break, retailers get ready with ‘Back to School’ campaigns which include new stationery items, uniforms, bags and other related items. Reopening of schools this time is special as many students will be going to classrooms after a long time. Most of the schools in Qatar are slated to reopen by the end of August.
Currently, electronic items, furniture, apparels are top on the shopping list of customers. With in electronic goods, retailers are seeing high demand for laptops, TVs, tablets, headphones while home décor items are also among top selling list.
Retailers say June 18 was a turning point for retailers in terms of customers demand. “Concerned authorities in Qatar had allowed children below 12 years to enter malls and restaurants and eased some other restrictions from June 18. From that day, we have seen families coming in larger number to the malls.
"When children below 12 years were not allowed, parents were hesitant to go out for shopping. Once this restriction was removed, parents started heading to malls and showrooms with their shopping list,” a manager of an electronic showroom told The Peninsula.
Under the second phase of lifting of restrictions, the cabinet had announced that kids would be allowed entry into malls and souqs from June 18. Restaurants have also started welcoming more guests as customers are coming out with families for dining. Families are now allowed to enter in malls and restaurants after showing their Ehteraz and vaccination status. This has helped in limiting the spread of coronavirus.
