Doha retail trends are evolving as Doha Festival City releases the Festival Edits: Qatar’s Retail Trends Report 2025. Importantly, the report highlights shifting consumer behaviour, emerging fashion and beauty preferences, and technology adoption in Qatar’s retail sector. Consequently, experts say the findings provide valuable insights for brands, mall operators, and marketers.
The report is the first of its kind in Qatar, combining quantitative data, qualitative analysis, and expert commentary. Moreover, Doha Festival City collaborated with research institutions, Ipsos, and industry specialists to map trends across demographics, spending habits, and lifestyle choices. The study drew insights from 2,010 online survey responses and 129 in-person participants.
According to the findings, shopping remains the primary reason visitors attend Doha Festival City, with 46 percent citing it as their main activity. Meanwhile, dining follows closely at 40 percent, and leisure activities, such as cinema, fitness, and events, account for 30 percent of visits. Therefore, Millennials and Gen Z dominate mall traffic, blending shopping with social and cultural experiences.
Beauty and fashion spend remain a priority. For example, forty percent of Gen Z females focus on makeup, 25 percent on fragrance, and 20 percent on skincare. Additionally, fashion preferences include modest-meets-contemporary for 22 percent, streetwear for 34 percent, premium perfumery for 32 percent, and modest fashion for 28 percent. Likewise, male shoppers place a high value on premium perfumery, with 32 percent ranking it as a top priority.
The report also highlights the role of digital innovation in retail. Specifically, AI investment in GCC retail is projected to increase from $5 billion in 2023 to $31 billion by 2028, with 97 percent of retailers planning to expand technology integration. These developments indicate that malls like Doha Festival City are shifting towards culturally immersive, technologically advanced experiences.
Festival Edits also incorporates perspectives from leading industry voices, including designers, influencers, and executives. Furthermore, experts emphasize quiet luxury, clean beauty, genderless fashion, and sustainability as critical trends shaping Qatar’s retail landscape. Their insights offer actionable guidance for retailers seeking to connect with evolving consumer expectations.
The report launch took place at Raffles Doha, featuring a fireside chat and moderated panel discussions. Attendees included Hayssam Hajjar, Joseph Ibrahim, Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, and AlFtoon Al-Janahi. In addition, the event reinforced Doha Festival City’s role as a hub for fashion, beauty, and experiential retail in Qatar.
Overall, Doha retail trends show that malls must blend commerce, culture, and technology to remain relevant. Therefore, brands and operators can leverage these insights to drive engagement, innovation, and long-term growth in Qatar’s evolving retail market.
