(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Fazeena Saleem The Peninsula
Many big shopping malls have sprung up in Doha and its outskirts over the past several years including the high-end ones that opened recently, and many more are on their way.
However, behind the fast changing shopping landscape lurks a pertinent question mdash; will the malls be able to get enough footfalls they need to get going in coming years? What happens in future will be revealed by time but for the time being shoppers are having a good time.
At least six new shopping centres and malls are planned in the next three years, according to some reports.
As Qatar is often known as a mall-friendly country, most of the malls are constantly buzzing with people mdash; especially during the hotter months. However, malls are not just shopping destinations for many, they are increasingly becoming entertainment and dinning attractions as well.
Over the past decade, the opening of several shopping malls and hypermarkets has vastly changed the shopping landscape in Qatar. The traditional souqs and the multitude of neighbourhood stores that once dominated the market have lost their attraction with the arrival of big shopping malls that offer customers lsquo;everything under one roof.'
The 8-kilometre Barwa Commercial Avenue, on the Abu Hamour-Industrial Area Road, is one of the largest and longest shopping facilities in the world, offering a mix of commercial and residential space. Ezdan has three malls in Gharrafa, Al Wakra and Wukair under its new arm, Ezdan Mall Company.
The much anticipated shopping destination Al Hazm partially opened its doors to visitors early this month. Al Hazm is designed like an erstwhile shopping arcade in Italy with lot of classical European grandeur. It has the original Tuscan marble from Italy, stones from Palestine and special artisans from a remote village in Rajasthan, India, to complete the QR3bn project.
Also, the recently opened Mall of Qatar and Doha Festival City are best examples of malls offering a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.
Doha Festival City (DFC) has brought many new names to the country. Expecting to be fully operational by September this year, the mall will feature 100 food and beverage outlets. It has 18-screen Vox Cinema where people can enjoy screens with multi-sensory 4DX technology. This technology gives viewers the chance to experience sensations as they watch, such as smelling scents or feeling the wind or vibrations.
Happening mall
Mall of Qatar's strength is being able to combine all three shopping, dining or entertainment together, as a shopping mall. It provides visitors with worldwide brands that span entry level labels to luxury ones, and with more than 80 new names in the Qatar market. Visitors will be dazzled by the 500 varied retail, dining and cafeacute; options, with 100 food and beverage outlets.
'The number of visitors has far exceeded the expectations in the first six months of opening, that shows that Mall of Qatar is on course to receive over 20 million visitors per annum, Rony Mourani, General Manager at Mall of Qatar, told The Peninsula in a recent interview.
According to him, Mall of Qatar has not just become popular among people in Qatar but also in the region as a destination for families and friends of all ages. 'Mall of Qatar sees visitors from across the GCC, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain, says Mourani.
However, looking at the burgeoning shopping malls and commercial complexes, one would wonder if there was scope for more such facilities, and if the existing ones have succeeded to attract enough customers and are struggling to make profits.
The consumers who are the important players of any shopping facility have varying opinions on this issue.
Extensive choice
Tuan Hazzim, a long time resident in Qatar, said, 'When I came to Qatar in the early 80s, there was only lsquo;The Centre' as a shopping centre. But then the different souqs were very popular and crowded. With time many shopping malls opened, now we have the most attractive ones.
'Now we have a wide choice. People can choose to buy from the cheapest to most expensive brand of clothes, choose between the traditional and new food outlets. Even if one has no shopping plans, the new malls are good to sit and relax or try some new food, he added.
Shafnaz Mustaq, who moved to Doha from Saudi Arabia two years ago, said, 'Despite the fact that malls are considered shopping centres, the places are often bustling with people going on grocery run, watching movies, having food or just to escape the hot weather. I have also seen many people doing their fitness activities like walking in malls. But some malls like the Mall of Qatar and Al Hazm have amazing atmosphere, I really admire their architecture as it feels pleasant feel to be there for dining and spending time.
Another frequent visitor to malls, Rimzia Farook, said that opening of new malls gives wide range of new choices. 'When a new mall opens my children will insist going there. In every new mall I have found different dining and shopping experiences. Some malls have new brands, others have the same. Even if the brands are the same the selections are different. Cinemas provide advanced technology and fine atmosphere.
Mohamed Shiyab, a driver working in Qatar for more than 15 years, said, 'When I came to Doha there were few shopping malls, when the Villaggio Mall opened we were so excited. At most malls, we can't afford to buy anything but I always go there during a weekday to see the place and take photos.
The new malls which are expected to open in the near future are also designed to include facilities making those more than just shopping destinations.
New centres
The new malls will include Tawar Mall, located in Duhail, which will have 300 stores and restaurants, including an indoor souq, the Katara Plaza will be an outdoor air-conditioned plaza at the Katara Cultural Village, the North Gate Mall located on Al Shamal Road, is a three-storey mall and will feature premium luxury fashion brands, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues and community public spaces.
Al Mirqab Mall located in the Al Mirqab Al Jadeed area will cover 70,000 square metres. The faccedil;ade is made up of modern glass panels with traditional arches. The Place Vendome is a development in Lusail City. It's a Parisian inspired project featuring a shopping centre with 500 retail outlets.
The Marina Mall will be located in the Lusail City and is a waterfront property covering over 57,000 square metres over three floors.
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