Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s online shopping market has witnessed a remarkably positive growth trajectory during the first five months of the year, and the demand is expected to increase further, noted market experts. E-commerce has become a vital and more convenient way for customers to shop, especially during holidays.

The Peninsula spoke to several customers and retailers to understand the market during the period.

“The closure of some of the outlets during Eid became an obstacle for us, forcing us to do online shopping to buy our valuables,” explained Rashmi Sudhakar, a resident in Al Wakrah.

She said: “With the rise in temperatures, we prefer shopping online rather than visiting stores to avoid fatigue and other health-related issues.”

Another customer, Sam K, emphasised the advantages of online shopping over an in-store visit, enabling individuals to purchase from the “comfort of their homes.

He said: “Some of the most availed e-shopping platforms by me are Carrefour, Jazp, and Ubuy Qatar, which caters to my needs just a click away.”

He further pointed out that “it gives you a stress-free and crowd-free atmosphere and is an escape from the soaring heatwave in the Gulf region.”

Iyad Hudaib, Senior Marketing Manager at City Center, stressed the importance of online shopping during summer.

“It’s important to consider various indicators when assessing the economic situation in the e-commerce market. The situation in City Center Doha presents a more optimistic picture. We have seen significant growth with the introduction of new brands and shops this year, enhancing our diverse retail offerings and strengthening our position as a premier shopping destination for both in-store and online shopping,” he said.

Elucidating the market expectation for the summer Valeria Mazzei, Founder and Director of the e-commerce platform, Venus Karma said that it depends on the kinds of e-commerce products that are available for the period. She said: “Since most people will be travelling, I expect that they will make the most of it before and in fact, our sales very much depend on when our clients go on vacation outside the country.” 

She noted that the sales before the Eid break witnessed a spike with a lot of engagements and business transactions and stressed that customers staying in Qatar during the hot-peaked season would be shopping online and continue to participate in the summer popups providing a wide range of opportunities.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) organised a workshop entitled ‘E-Commerce Strategy for Qatar,’ convening numerous government firms to discuss the challenges and opportunities for further enhancement of the e-commerce sector and to reinforce joint government efforts in carrying out a comprehensive national strategy for the market.