Qatar Duty Free Opens Middle East’s First POP MART Store with Travel-Inspired Fashion Show at Hamad International Airport

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has launched the Middle East’s first-ever POP MART store at Hamad International Airport in Doha, creating an exciting new retail destination for travellers. This marks a significant milestone for both QDF and POP MART, bringing the brand’s playful, creative world of designer collectibles to the region. The grand opening of the store featured a high-energy fashion show that celebrated travel-inspired fashion, with influencers and models showcasing flight-ready looks paired with POP MART’s signature collectibles. This event symbolised QDF’s commitment to offering unique, experience-driven retail moments for global travellers.

POP MART’s First Middle East Store: A Creative Experience for Travellers

The new POP MART store at Hamad International Airport is more than just a retail space; it’s a vibrant, culture-infused experience. Strategically located at the airport’s North Node near Gate C18, the 100-square-metre store brings POP MART’s global collectibles closer to travellers in the Middle East. Featuring a mix of modern architecture with subtle Middle Eastern influences, the store reflects both POP MART’s playful spirit and Qatar’s rich cultural heritage. This retail experience is designed to appeal to travellers, collectors, and pop culture enthusiasts alike, offering a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Travel-Inspired Collectibles Exclusively for Qatar

One of the highlights of this store launch is the curated collection of travel-inspired POP MART collectibles, debuting exclusively at the Hamad International Airport location. The “Twinkle Twinkle Wonderful Journey Series” is designed specifically for globetrotters and collectors. Featuring a range of items like U-shaped travel pillows, portable storage bags, crossbody bags, and card holders, the collection is all about offering pop culture companionship on the go. These products are perfect for travel and are designed to make every journey more playful and enjoyable. The collection represents POP MART’s unique approach to blending art, design, and functionality for the modern traveller.

Exclusive Qatar Gift with Purchase: A Blend of Local Culture and Design

In addition to the exciting product range, the POP MART store at Hamad International Airport offers a special gift with purchase for customers: the Qatar limited edition blanket. Adorned with traditional Qatari patterns and signature date-red tones, the blanket also features popular POP MART characters. This exclusive item combines local aesthetics with contemporary design, offering both comfort and cultural significance. It’s the perfect companion for long waits at the airport or for use during travel, allowing customers to take home a piece of Qatar’s rich heritage, paired with POP MART’s whimsical charm.

Innovative Retail Strategy: Qatar Duty Free’s Commitment to Experiences

Thabet Musleh, Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer, spoke about the importance of this partnership with POP MART, saying, “Partnering with POP MART to bring this first-in-the-region concept to Hamad International Airport reflects our drive to redefine retail both at the airport and across the region.” The collaboration enhances Qatar Duty Free’s already strong portfolio, adding a creative, fun dimension to its retail offerings. The new store aligns perfectly with QDF’s vision to surprise and delight travellers with exclusive, experience-centric retail concepts that elevate the airport journey.

POP MART’s Global Vision: Connecting Pop Culture with Local Communities

Justin Moon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of POP MART International Group, shared his excitement at the launch, saying, “This new store is a testament to our commitment to meeting fans wherever they are. By blending Qatar’s rich culture with our playful characters, we’re building more than a retail space; we’re creating a global benchmark for how pop culture connects with local communities.” The store is more than just a place to shop; it’s a celebration of how pop culture can bring joy and build connections with people from all walks of life. This expansion into the Middle East further solidifies POP MART’s international reach and commitment to creating memorable experiences for its global fanbase.

A Retail Space Open 24/7 for Travellers

The POP MART store at Hamad International Airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that travellers from all corners of the world can explore and enjoy its offerings at any time. This round-the-clock availability reflects QDF’s commitment to providing seamless and accessible experiences for airport visitors. Whether a traveller is passing through on a layover or departing on an international journey, they can enjoy the store’s vibrant, welcoming space at their convenience. The store aims to transform a regular airport visit into an exciting cultural and retail experience, setting the stage for future innovations in travel retail.

Qatar Duty Free: Setting a New Standard in Airport Retail

Qatar Duty Free continues to lead the way in airport retail, with a focus on curating unique and immersive experiences for its customers. By introducing POP MART’s creative world to the Middle East, QDF is pushing the boundaries of what airport retail can be. The store’s playful, pop culture-inspired designs are a perfect fit for the modern traveller who seeks more than just shopping, but an engaging, fun experience. As Qatar Duty Free continues to innovate, it raises the bar for what travellers can expect from the airport retail environment, offering exciting new concepts that blend entertainment, art, and culture in one space.

The Future of Airport Retail: A Blend of Art and Culture

This launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in Qatar Duty Free’s retail journey, with the POP MART store setting a precedent for future retail innovations. Combining elements of art, culture, and retail, the store showcases the evolving future of airport shopping—one that goes beyond traditional retail and into the realm of experiential, curated moments. The partnership with POP MART also highlights QDF’s ongoing commitment to offering unique and exclusive retail experiences that cater to a diverse, global audience. As airports continue to evolve, so too does the way passengers engage with brands and the spaces they occupy.

A New Era for Airport Shopping and Retail

The opening of the POP MART store at Hamad International Airport is a defining moment in airport retail. It reflects both Qatar Duty Free and POP MART’s commitment to providing exciting, culturally-infused, and experience-driven shopping experiences for international travellers. With its 24/7 accessibility, exclusive offerings, and creative retail environment, this new store sets a high bar for future retail spaces at airports. For collectors, travellers, and pop culture enthusiasts, the POP MART store at Hamad International Airport promises to be a must-visit destination that brings a touch of playful elegance to every journey.

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Snap Inc. has officially opened its new office in Doha’s Msheireb district, in the presence of Founder and Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel and Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO). This expansion marks a major milestone in its Middle East presence and reaffirms its long-term investment in the region’s digital economy, amid the rapid digital innovations taking place in Qatar.

The Gulf region is among the most connected and technologically advanced in the world, with users opening Snapchat more than 45 times a day on average. Around 85% engage daily with augmented reality experiences, reflecting the region’s strong enthusiasm for immersive technologies. As Qatar continues to advance its digital transformation, Snapchat remains a key part of social connection, enabling people to express themselves, be creative, and communicate meaningfully, making it one of the most preferred platforms in the country for staying connected.

“We welcome Snap Inc.’s expansion in Qatar and its continued contribution to the country’s digital and creative economy. The establishment of the new office represents an important step in strengthening our strategic partnership, which began three years ago and has already achieved significant milestones, particularly in development, training, and support for the creative industry,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the GCO. “Today marks the beginning of a new phase in this close cooperation, one that supports our efforts to build a digital infrastructure capable of keeping pace with the latest developments in content creation, while attracting skilled professionals and empowering exceptional talents across the region — reinforcing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and digital transformation, and supporting the nation’s comprehensive development journey.”

“Qatar stands as one of the region’s most dynamic and forward-looking markets and is home to an incredibly creative and highly engaged community,” said Hussein Freijeh, Vice President of Snap Inc. in MENA. “With this new office, we’re deepening our roots in a market that celebrates creativity and culture, and reaffirming our commitment to empowering creators, partners, and businesses to unlock new opportunities within Qatar’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.”

 

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New research from Snap Inc., and GWI, has revealed that Qataris are among the most digitally engaged and forward-thinking audiences in the Middle East. The findings from “Getting to know Snapchatters in Qatar” highlight that more than 50% create content or interact with branded posts monthly, which makes them 33% more likely to click on sponsored content and 47% more likely to swipe up on Stories compared to the regional average.

At a time when cultural relevance and audience impact are paramount for brand engagement, the research showcases how Snapchatters in Qatar are setting new trends across content, commerce and community. Distinct usage habits among Snapchatters in Qatar highlight the individuality of this audience:

• Snapchatters are 25% more likely to belong to high-income groups compared to users in other GCC markets, representing an affluent audience for premium brands.
• In comparison to non-Snapchatters, they are 70% more likely to donate to charity each month, They are also 14% more likely to gift electronics, and 2.1x as likely to gift hampers  –  reflecting a community that values connection and generosity both on and off the platform.
• Nearly 70% engage with health, fitness, and beauty content, and they are  80% more likely to describe themselves as fashion-conscious.
• Over 40% also express enthusiasm for exploring local cultural experiences, including touring museums, enjoying traditional cuisine or and visiting heritage sites – blending  cultural curiosity and personal expression.
• Snapchatters are 316% more likely to be Qatari nationals, making the platform a key channel to reach young, affluent, and local audiences.
• They are also 38% more likely than non-users to be Gen Z, and in Qatar, are 16% more likely than users in GCC to be millennials.

“The findings from our research with GWI underscores Snapchat’s unparalleled ability to reach Qatar’s most engaged and culturally connected digital consumers – predominantly Gen Z and affluent locals –  who are shaping new standards for creativity, cultural relevance, and online engagement across the GCC.,” said Dina Al Sabbagh, Group Manager, Global Research and Insights at Snap Inc. “Whether brands are looking to tell their story, drive conversions, or tap into the cultural heartbeat of the nation, Snapchat’s insights and tools offer the perfect vehicle to build meaningful, impactful connections with their audience.”

Supported by its advanced AR tools and creator-driven ecosystem, Snapchat empowers brands, creators, and developers across the region to make meaningful connections with the right audiences. These insights underscore Snapchat’s position as the go-to space for full-funnel marketing in Qatar, reaffirming the platform’s role in connecting brands to Qatar’s most engaged and influential digital consumers, who are not just consuming content but actively shaping the conversations around it.

 

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