Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has hailed 2024 to be an “exceptional year” in which the travel retailer achieved record-breaking sales, ground-breaking innovations, and global recognition. Sales turnover soared by 18% compared to 2023, outpacing the 15% passenger growth at Hamad International Airport (DOH) which served 52.7 million passengers in 2024.

These numbers solidify Doha’s position as a key global travel hub and underline the strategic importance of the collaboration between QDF, DOH, and Qatar Airways.

Retail and F&B Highlights

QDF continued to innovate in 2024, introducing 18 retail concepts and immersive experiences. Key achievements included:

• Dior Luxury Beauty Retreat: The first-of-its-kind in any airport globally, this concept blends luxury beauty and wellbeing, including Dior’s first dedicated men’s grooming space, the Dior Luxury Barber Experience.
• Eyewear Innovation: The opening of a multi-brand store by Thelios and the region’s first Digital Retail Concept store in collaboration with Kering Eyewear.
• Integrated Campaigns: Airport-wide activations such as ‘Live The F1 Life’ for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024, Chanel’s Winter Tale—its largest airport activation to date—and YSL Beauty’s Summer Mirage campaign.

In the food and beverage sector, QDF broadened its offer in line with its commitment to delivering ‘Something for Everyone’, with six new and upgraded concepts, including the locally inspired specialty coffee concept, Le Petit Camion. Hamad International Airport also achieved FSSC 22000 certification, becoming the first airport globally to meet this prestigious food safety standard.

Global Recognition

QDF’s exceptional performance earned it prestigious accolades in 2024, including:

• Retailer of the Year (Frontier Awards)
• Airport Food and Beverage Offer of the Year (FAB Awards)
• World’s Best Airport for Shopping(SKYTRAX)

Qatar Airways Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh commented: “2024 has been an extraordinary year for Qatar Duty Free. These achievements reflect our team’s dedication to redefining travel retail and delivering exceptional experiences. As we approach our 25^th anniversary, we are poised to introduce game-changing innovations that will set new standards in the industry. Launching over 25 new retail and F&B concepts, introducing advanced e-commerce and data-sharing platforms to enhance brand partnerships, and hosting the globally renowned Trinity Forum in Doha are just a few of our ambitious plans. Qatar Duty Free remains committed to pushing boundaries in retail excellence and ‘experiencentricity,’ ensuring its place at the forefront of the global travel retail industry.

Thabet Musleh with DFNI Editor Kapila Ireland

According to QDF, its achievements are rooted in its close collaboration with Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport. As the flagship carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways provides QDF with access to a vast global customer base, fostering synergies that enhance passenger experiences across all touchpoints. Meanwhile, Hamad International Airport’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and commitment to excellence enable QDF to set new benchmarks in retail and hospitality. This relationship ensures seamless operations, innovative offerings, and a shared vision for elevating the travel journey.

To sustain its trajectory of success, QDF strengthened its leadership team and workforce in 2024, ensuring alignment with its vision for innovation and growth. Additionally, QDF finalised the development of an advanced e-commerce and data-sharing platform, set to launch in 2025. These platforms will empower brand partners with comprehensive insights into their performance, driving data-driven decision-making and enhanced collaboration.

As QDF approaches its 25^th anniversary in 2025, it is poised to launch over 25 new retail and F&B concepts, introduce its advanced digital platforms, and host the Trinity Forum (organised by The Moodie Davitt Report) in Doha. “These initiatives reflect QDF’s continuous commitment to pushing boundaries in retail excellence and delivering transformative experiences for passengers and partners alike,” the company stated.