Finance
Qatar Duty Free Celebrates the End of a Very Successful Financial Year (April 2022- March 2023)with Ground Breaking Sales Figures
Qatar Duty Free (QDF) announces strong growth in retail revenue during the financial year (April 2022-March 2023)of over59 per cent higher compared to 2021-2022 and over 45 per centhigher compared to 2019-2020, driven by more than 49 per cent uplift in sales per passenger (SPP).In addition, QDF has also achieved impressive turnover growth during the annual year (January 2022- December 2022) of 26 per cent compared to 2019.
This historical increase in revenue is a testament to QDF’s revolutionary retail experience, innovative dining and shopping offer at the South node, and the brand-new Central Concourse at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) expansion.
Vice President of Qatar Duty Free, Mr. Thabet Musleh, said, “This was a fantastic year for Qatar Duty Free, our home Hamad International Airport and the Qatar Airways Group. We are honoured to have played a significant role in the FIFA World CupTM tournament, the tremendous airport expansion project and many other significant events in the country.”
“Our goal was to offer an unforgettable and seamless travel experience to all the passengers, and we successfully achieved that goal. I would like to thank all members of the QDF community for their unprecedented and continuous support. Our financial results represent our tremendous success, and we look forward to showcasing many more triumphs and achievements in 2023.”
According to HIA’s annual traffic report, passenger experiencedmore than double year-over-year growth and has reached 35.7 million passengers in 2022, representing more than 101.9 per cent compared to 2021 figures and 92.1 per centcompared to pre-pandemic 2019 figures.2022 was remarkable with many significant eventstaking place, including the unveiling of Phase A of the airport expansion project and the hosting of the FIFA World CupTM.
By end of 2022, the airport traffic increased due to Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup, where thousands of passengers travelling through HIA were able to explore an exceptional retail and food and beverage (F&B)offer at Qatar Duty Free. In November and December 2022 (the period of the FIFA tournament), turnover was more than 112 per cent compared to the same period in 2021.
As the Official Retail Partner for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, QDF showcased one of the largest collections of FIFA Official World Cup merchandise, souvenirs, and collectibles. FIFA Merchandise were sold throughout the iconic eight stadiums in Doha, the official FIFA Fan Zone, the world’s first permanent FIFA Store, and various stores at the airport. At the end of the tournament, QDF was estimated to achieve a total of 459,000 transactions at the FIFA stores, with 1.4 million total units sold during and after the tournament. As a result, sales at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar were 46 per cent higher than in Russia’s previous FIFA World Cup tournament.
QDF introduced an unparalleled luxury offer at the HIA expansion, featuring a lineup of world-renowned names in the retail industry. The enhanced retail offer features many world and regional firsts, including the first Dior boutique at HIA, the world’s only FIFA shop, a two-story Fendi boutique with the first airport Fendi Café, the first TimeValléeboutique in the Middle East, and the first Ralph’s Coffee Shop in an airport.In the South Node, QDF also unveiled many new retail and F&B outlets, including a unique concept Louis Vuitton boutique, a brand-new Hermes Boutique, and a Food Court offering an extensive array of cuisines.
About Qatar Duty Free
Qatar Duty Free (QDF), a subsidiary of Qatar Airways group, is a shopping emporium at the heart of Hamad International Airport (HIA), with more than 37,000 square meters of duty-free and concession space. QDF boasts more than 180 luxury and affordable retail outlet and F&B outlets.
QDF offers an extensive selection of luxury boutiques and a wide portfolio of multi-brand concept shops and duty free stores. In addition to its wide luxury brand portfolio, QDF boasts a wide range of cuisines to suit every palette and budget at our numerous dine in restaurants, cafes and grab and go outlets.
As part of its position within a powerful trinity of a retailer, an award-winning airport and a global airline, QDF is uniquely positioned to partner with travel retail brands to launch products and services, bringing exclusive experiences to customers.
Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has been named the ‘World’s Leading Airport Duty Free Operator 2022’ and ‘the Middle East’s Leading Airport Duty Free Operator 2022’ in the World Travel Awards. QDF also won the 2022 “Best Customer Experience Airport Retailer” at Global Brands Magazine Awards.”
Hamad International Airport won the “World’s Best Airport for Shopping” at the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards 2023, attributed to Qatar Duty Free retail and F&B strategy to offer the best experience for passengers at the airport.
