Mall of Qatar to receive 20 million visitors in 2016
Doha’s Mall of Qatar is expecting to receive 20 million visitors next year, a leading expert has claimed.
The mall, which is owned and developed by Mall of Qatar W.L.L in collaboration with turnkey contractors UrbaCon Trading & Contracting (UCC), is predicting, based on research conducted by T&L Associates, a steady 5% annual increase in visitors, and a 10% increase in 2022 with FIFA World Cup being hosted in Qatar.
The opening of Mall of Qatar is scheduled for the Q1 2016. Phil McArthur, Managing Director and Founder of McARTHUR + COMPANY said, “There’s a significant demand for quality integrated shopping, dining and entertainment facilities in the retail sector in Qatar. Spend and dwell time increases dramatically in malls that provide excellent guest services including spotless public restrooms, convenience, entertainment and a wide array of dining options, all of which is among Mall of Qatar’s many advantages.”
With the increasing attraction of e-commerce, developers around the world are forced to re-evaluate and revisit their strategy for malls. McArthur says, “It’s no longer simply about shopping; it’s about what a mall can offer aside to shopping. People like to see people, and you can only get that desired social experience at the mall, not online. This being said, a mall needs to be conducive for shoppers to return.”
The mall will house some of the most sought-after international brands that have not yet been glimpsed in the city before. The mall has already signed commitments for over 75 percent of its retail space and has a large number of retailers on a waiting list.
Having worked with some of the leading developers worldwide, McArthur said: “Mall of Qatar are by far the most passionate; they are true believers in excellence, quality and setting new standards. The customer comes first and this is reflected in their pace of construction, the entire flow and layout of the mall which is both functional yet beautiful, and ultimately the calibre of architects and consultants Mall of Qatar work alongside. It is a truly wonderful evolution that is representative of market aspirations.”
Qatar presently has one of the lowest penetrations of mall space per capita in the GCC at .30 metres per capita, however the nation’s major initiatives including the development of shopping malls such as the prestigious Mall of Qatar, Doha Metro, the new Hamad International Airport as well as numerous international sporting events such as FIFA, are expected to change that.
