Doha's Retail Openings Create Openings for Brands Targeting Young Shoppers and AI Tools

Qatar's retail market is projected to reach QR86.37 billion by 2031 at a 4.05 percent compound annual growth rate, with food, beverage and tobacco holding 42 percent of the 2025 market share.

The expansion arrives as operators add physical capacity and younger buyers increase outlays on specific categories. Doha already contains 880,000 square metres of retail space within a total 1.5 million square metres of gross leasable area spread across its 19 largest malls, according to April 2025 figures.

New Venues Draw Early Tenants

Doha Mall in Abu Hamour began opening retail outlets gradually through 2025 after an earlier delay, adding 100,000 square metres of leasable area. Centrepoint opened a store at Tawar Mall, and Raising Cane's expanded into Doha Festival City. These additions give brands immediate access to completed floor space while larger projects continue to fill.

Gen Z and Millennials are the main drivers of current demand. They allocate 34 percent of fashion spending to streetwear and 28 percent to modest fashion, while 40 percent of Gen Z females buy makeup. Monthly fashion budgets for these groups range between QAR 500 and QAR 2,500.

AI Spending Supports New Formats

Across the GCC, 97 percent of retailers are raising technology budgets, with total AI investment expected to rise from $5 billion in 2023 to $31 billion by 2028. Cashier-less convenience stores within this segment are expanding at a 13.21 percent compound annual rate. Retailers that combine physical openings with these tools can capture the documented shift in spending patterns without waiting for further mall completions.

Operators that secure locations in the newly opened venues and align assortments with the recorded preferences of Gen Z and Millennials stand to benefit first from the projected market growth through 2031.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.