Retail in Qatar Leaps Forward

With over twenty-two years of experience in the retail real estate industry, serving on a number of leadership roles across some of the most prominent corporates and shopping centres in the Middle East region, Rony Mourani leads Assets Properties Management, part of the Qatar based Power International Holding Group, as Chief Executive Officer. He holds degrees in Business Administration, specializing in Management and Marketing, and a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Lebanese University.

RONY JOSEPH MOURANI

Chief Executive Officer ASSETS PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT

Qatar’s visionary practices supported by assertive actions continue to place the country at the forefront with staggering developments. Since its launch in 2008, Qatar’s 2030 Vision provides a brilliant example of the progressive and evolutionary impact of wise leadership and inclusive professional and social practices. With a population of 2.8 million, Qatar still reigns at the top of the world with its GDP per capita that stood at US$62,500 in 2021 and is projected at approximately US$68,800 for 2022. Things continue to look favourable for Qatar as it is setting the stage to host the world’s second-biggest and most popular sports event, the FIFA World Cup 2022™, in November of this year. More than 1.5 million fans are expected to flock to Qatar to live the sensation. The vibrant retail sector in the country is preparing for yet another boost and is readying itself to offer its shoppers and guests across 1.3 million sq meters GLA by the top twenty malls, a unique and premium experience. Mall of Qatar’s vision was and shall continue to be perfectly aligned with the social, economic, and environmental vision of the country and its business landscape. With over 200,000 sq meters GLA, 500 outlets of a magnificent diversity of offerings, and a 360° in-mall revolving stage that continues to witness world-class shows and concerts. Mall of Qatar stands out with its visionary initiatives and embracive customer journey optimization practices. While we will still see E-commerce scoring substantial growth, retailers are devising several strategies to ensure the physical

and online are synergistically the ROPO (Research Online, Purchase Offline). Our main focus is to create exceptional experiences for consumers by embracing the digital transformation as an opportunity. By adapting a technology to gain a higher level of customers’ insights and behaviour, understanding the value of each customer interaction with the mall brands and the level of satisfaction to measure progress towards business objectives to deliver greater services over products and price. To complement the experience, and aside from introducing new luxury brands, we are keen on devising ways to exponentially upgrade our offerings by bringing many new international signature restaurants to the luxury area with retractable roofs, a new Welcome Park adorned with water fountains and features, supplemented with a multi-purpose terrace, and a temperature-controlled environment for the F&B area. The New Grand Zone shall stand witness to the Mall’s commitment to the quality of life and its support to education where they will be hosting fifteen (15) residential towers, equipped with prime and luxurious amenities. Because education is first and foremost, the Grand Zone houses the International Sherborne School offering 21stcentury educational facilities and means, while the upcoming University Campus will serve as an extension to the Education City of Qatar. The SMART campus features the latest breakthroughs in environment-friendly designs and overall wellness developments. Leaders are always taxed with continuously redefining and reshaping developments. Mall of Qatar’s mission remains faithful to our quest of bringing the best to Qatar. An amazing Boulevard, with an extension of a dedicated outdoor street, will house retail shops, entertainment, and carefully selected dining concepts. The whole area is creatively designed, with state-ofthe-art architecture and empowered with advanced technology that will create a mini world of immersive experiences. The Big Boxes are new buildings that will provide mixed uses including a large department store, retail outlets, a warehouse, a parking deck, and a rooftop garden. For tourists who appreciate luxury, hospitality and an abundance of physical and emotional wellness, The 5-star Al Rayyan Hotel Doha, the first Curio-operated property in Qatar, provide such a destination with a highly recognized international F&B offering. Guests will be hosted and served by world-class guests and service centred, professional, competent, and talented staff that will ensure delivering a delightful journey at every stage and detail of their stay. With the realization of each of our endeavours, we edge closer to the continuity and success of our mission which remains to deliver fully inclusive and gratifying experiences that will promote the economic, social, environmental and well-being of Qatar, its citizens, inhabitants, and visitors.