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A Brief History of Shopping in Qatar

By Ola Diab Malls, malls and more malls. A new one opens every few months. But what was Qatar like before all the malls? Where did people shop?

Every year in Qatar is marked with the opening of a new mall. With the high temperatures in the summer, shopping malls are a favourite pastime for locals and expats alike. A combination of high incomes, increasingly expensive tastes and luxury brand awareness in Qatar has opened the door to a string of grade A retail developments and outlets. In recent years, Qatar has seen the opening of new malls such as Msheireb Galleria in Msheireb Downtown Doha and the mixed-use entertainment development, Doha Oasis, in Musheireb. This year has witnessed the opening of Place Vendôme in Lusail City, J Mall in Hazm Al Markhiya, and Abu Sidra Mall in Bu Sidra, Al Rayyan. Up and coming new malls are Giardino Mall and 04 Mall in The Pearl Island, Marina Mall in Lusail City, North Gate Mall in Umm Salal Mohammed, Boulevard Mall in Al Kheesa, Doha Mall in Abu Hamour, and Waddan Mall in Mesaieed.

The souqs Although the shopping malls in the country are mostly new, the history of shopping centres dates back to at least a hundred years ago. Souqs were the main shopping destinations before Qatar’s economic boom in the 1990s, which led to the development of several modern shopping developments. Still standing today, the Middle Eastern low-rising souqs feature several shops, selling an array of spices, delicacies, perfumes, jewellery, clothing and handicrafts. Souq Waqif, which translates to the standing market, is an ancient souq that was renovated in 2006–2008 to the vibrant tourist attraction it is today. The souq is named 'the standing souq' because it is believed that water from the sea would rise, swamping the souq. However, shop owners would continue selling their products while standing in the midst of the water. Like Souq Waqif, many of Qatar's old souqs were renovated in recent years. Many of the stores that are there today have been there since the 1970s or earlier. Now, with the various choices of shopping destinations, souqs, especially Souq Waqif, are more touristic rather than shopping destinations. Home-grown department stores Qatar is known for a few home-grown luxury department stores. A notable example is Fifty One East (51 East), previously known as Modern Home, which has been operating since the 1950s. 51 East is Qatar’s leading department store and Darwish Holding's signature retail brand, transforming the retail experience for Qatar’s residents as an emporium of luxury, offering compelling brands that span cosmetics and fragrances, fashion accessories, watches and jewellery, designer fashion and premium technology. Cosmetic and fragrance brands include Amouage, Boucheron, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Sensai, Tom Ford, Welton London, and more. Fashion and shoe retail companies include Calvin Klein, Clarks, Diesel, Kenzo, Giorgio Armani, Saiid Kobeisy, Paco Rabanne, Wolf, and more. Watch and jewellery brands include Boucheron, Bulgari, Swarovski, and more. Premium technology brands include Konig & Meyer, KRK, Fender, and Yamaha. Today, the department store has branches in several places,