Qatar Duty Free Opens the Middle East’s First POP MART Store at Hamad International Airport - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has opened the Middle East’s first POP MART store at Hamad International Airport (HIA), marking a new milestone in the region’s travel retail landscape. The launch featured a dynamic travel-themed fashion show, blending art, fashion, and pop culture, and was attended by international influencers and friends of the brand.

A playful world of collectibles

Located in HIA’s North Node near Gate C18, the 100-square-metre boutique brings POP MART’s vibrant universe of designer collectibles to travellers across the Middle East. The store offers a curated selection of travel exclusives, headlined by the “Twinkle Twinkle Wonderful Journey Series”, a new collection designed especially for global travellers. Items include card holders, travel pillows, storage bags, and crossbody bags, celebrating the theme of “pop culture companionship on the go.”

Travellers can also enjoy a Qatar-exclusive gift — a limited-edition blanket featuring traditional Qatari motifs and POP MART characters, available with qualifying purchases.

Redefining airport retail

“This first-in-the-region concept reflects our drive to redefine airport and regional retail,” said Thabet Musleh, Qatar Airways Group Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer. “POP MART brings creativity and joy to our retail mix and perfectly aligns with our vision to surprise travellers with exclusive, experience-centric concepts.”

Justin Moon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of POP MART International Group, added: “By blending Qatar’s rich culture with our playful characters, we’re creating more than a store — we’re building a new global benchmark for how pop culture connects with local communities.”

A new standard for travel retail

Open 24/7, the store fuses modern architecture with Middle Eastern design influences, reflecting both POP MART’s artistic flair and Qatar Duty Free’s commitment to innovation. The partnership marks POP MART’s debut in the Middle East and reinforces QDF’s role in shaping next-generation travel experiences, turning every journey through Hamad International Airport into a moment of discovery and delight.

Image Credit: © Qatar Airways