Qatar Duty Free Ranked Top Retailer in 2026
The travel retailer earned first place in a global industry benchmark based on supplier feedback.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Middle East
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In 2026, Qatar Duty Free secured the top position among 36 global travel retailers in the Advantage Group International CORE benchmark. This ranking reflects the company's collaborative business practices and focus on customer experience as reported by suppliers.
Why it matters
The benchmark underscores how collaborative relationships between retailers and suppliers directly impact global travel commerce. By prioritizing data transparency, companies can better align retail concepts with passenger and shopper needs.
The ranking evaluates performance across five distinct areas using anonymous supplier feedback. The assessment covers 27 competencies involving retail partners that operate on a global scale.
The players
Qatar Duty Free
This entity is a major travel retail operator based in Qatar that manages diverse shopping and dining experiences at Hamad International Airport.
Advantage Group International
This organization specializes in business-to-business benchmarking and provides performance insights for global retail and supply chain sectors.
Hamad International Airport
Located in Doha, this major global aviation hub serves as the primary site for the retail investments and operations managed by Qatar Duty Free.
The details
Qatar Duty Free expanded its footprint throughout the 2025/26 financial year by opening 15 new retail concepts and 16 food and beverage destinations at Hamad International Airport. The company utilizes its 36Q data-sharing platform to provide brand partners with granular insights derived from passenger and shopper behavior at the airport.
Timeline
During the 2025/26 financial year, the company launched 31 new retail and dining concepts.
The 2025/26 financial year concluded in March 2026.
Qatar Duty Free achieved its first-place ranking in 2026.
Travel Outlook
The Advantage Group International Voice of Supplier CORE benchmark highlights a global shift toward data-driven, collaborative retailer-supplier partnerships. This story follows the trend where top-tier travel hubs prioritize integrated passenger insights to maintain competitive standings.
Travelers visiting Hamad International Airport can expect a broader range of retail and dining options as the operator continues to expand its physical concepts. These facility upgrades often include improved brand availability and modernized shopping environments for international passengers.
The takeaway
The success of top global retailers increasingly relies on the effective synthesis of passenger data and supplier collaboration. Travelers benefit from this trend through more personalized shopping experiences and a wider selection of high-quality retail concepts at major transit hubs.
Further reading
For more information on regional travel developments, visit the Middle East section.
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Do you find the retail and dining options at international airports provide good value?
