Sidra Medicine

Shopping in Qatar

Going to shopping malls, souqs or other shopping destinations is the most popular pastime in Qatar. People enjoy going to shopping destinations to shop, eat, watch movies or just walk. No VAT or Sales Tax in Qatar ensures prices are competitive with other shopping destinations. However, the General Tax Authority (GTA) implemented the Excise Tax Law (No 25 of 2018) on 1 January 2019 on 'health-damaging' goods, with a 100% tax on tobacco and alcohol products, energy drinks and special purpose goods, and a 50% tax on carbonated drinks. Note: A 2015 government directive mandates all shops are required to close for 90 minutes for prayer around midday on Friday. Usually from 11:30 am – 1 pm.

Malls

Qatar continously witnesses the opening of new malls. In 2021, Qatar saw the opening of Msheireb Galleria in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Mirqab Mall, Doha Souq and 21 High Street opened in 2019. The first shopping and entertainment mall to open in Qatar was The Mall, which opened in 1997. Prior to The Mall, residents shopped at The Centre since the 1970s. Malls vary in size, but all provide an opportunity for shopping, entertainment and dining. Many banks in the malls are open outside normal banking hours. Shopping festivals occur throughout the year offering great discounts, special offers and prizes.

Hypermarkets/Supermarkets

There are many local and international hypermarkets and supermarkets in Qatar both in and outside malls. Popular international hypermarkets include Carrefour carrefourqatar.com, Family Food Centre (FFC) family.com.qa, Lulu Hypermarket and Lulu Express qatar.luluhypermarket.com, Mega Mart, Monoprix monoprix.qa, Spar Hypermarket spar-qa.com and more. Other hypermarkets and supermarkets include Quality Hypermarket qatar.qualityretailgroup.com, Safari Hypermarket safarihypermarket.com, Shoprite and the first Sainsbury's in Qatar in Lusail City. Al Meera Consumer Goods Co is one of Qatar’s leading retailers with the largest network of branches, consisting of at least 50 stores. almeera.com.qa Retailers link up with partners to give shoppers the opportunity to earn points and rewards: • Air Miles shopping rewards scheme. airmilesme.com • Family Club is a free-of-charge FFC loyalty card, which allows its cardholder to earn points and redeem them at all FFC outlets. familyclub.qa • Lulu app makes you a LuLu Loyalty member wjere you can earn points and redeem them at all Lulu outlets. luluhypermarket.com • Meera Rewards is Al Meera's loyalty programme and mobile application. almeera.com.qa • MyClub app from Carrefour Qatar. Valet Trolley service provides free home-delivery to MyClub cardholders for purchases QAR250+ when shopping in-store. carrefourqatar.com • Nojoom from Ooredoo. ooredoo.qa • Shukran loyalty programme from Landmark

Retail Ltd which includes Centrepoint. shukranrewards.com Banks have also teamed up with retailers to make similar offers. Doha Bank and LuLu Hypermarket entice customers with the LuLu-Doha Bank shopping credit card providing customers with 5% savings on purchases at their stores throughout Qatar. QNB LIFE Rewards loyalty programme offers its debit and credit customers rewards at three levels of membership, dependent upon salary. Alshaya Card offers the freedom to purchase from any Alshaya store, restaurant or café, with no maximum top up limit. The minimum amount to load a card is QAR60 (or equivalent). alshaya.com QIC Advantage Club and QGrabs offer a different shopping concept – members can take advantage of great deals when shopping, dining, or using health and beauty facilities: qicadvantageclub.com and qgrabs.com Urban Point is a money-saving app that gives you thousands of 2-for-1 offers that renew every month. urbanpoint.com

Walk in malls

Malls such as Hyatt Plaza, Al Khor, Villaggio, City Centre-Doha, Lagoona and Landmark have partnered with Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) to encourage people to exercise within their malls under AZF's 'Step Into Health, Walk in Mall' programme, encouraging individuals to walk 10,000 steps or more per day, or 30 minutes or more at least five days a week. stepintohealth.qa