Competition in Doha

Primark Books Doha Festival City for Oct. 29; Villaggio Follows, Riyadh in March

Alshaya confirmed Qatar's first Primark opens at Doha Festival City on 29 October, after City Centre Bahrain on 23 September; a second Qatar store follows at Villaggio in 2027 and a Saudi debut anchors Mabanee's Avenues Riyadh in March 2027, where Alshaya has committed $150m-plus and about 100 stores. Read-through: two direct competitors gain a proven footfall magnet inside thirteen months, and Festival City's catchment overlaps Lusail's — counter-programming for late October should be planned now.

Sources: Gulf News, 10 Sep · Zawya / Alshaya release, 5 Sep · FashionNetwork, 10 Sep · Gulf News, 10 Sep · Zawya / Alshaya release, 5 Sep · FashionNetwork, 10 Sep