Latest news with #AnumHassan


Zawya
11-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar's retail market holds steady amid selective growth and pricing pressures
Doha, Qatar: Qatar's retail sector displayed cautious resilience in the first quarter of 2025, with new additions in both organised and unorganised segments adding to supply while rental rates revealed a mixed trend across locations and formats. According to a report by ValuStrat, organised retail space now accounts for 2.5 million sq m of gross leasable area (GLA), representing 45 percent of the nation's total shopping area. Speaking to The Peninsula, Anum Hassan, Head of Research at ValuStrat, said, 'Retail leasing values held steady over the period, while the industrial segment showed encouraging signs of growth. Rents for ambient and cold storage facilities rose by 2.8 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively. Additionally, recent ministerial directives streamlining business set-up processes for foreign investors have resulted in a notable increase in commercial activity. The retail landscape saw notable expansions in Q1, with Centro Mall contributing 2,500 sq m and the newly launched Outlet Village adding 30,000 sq m of retail GLA to the organised segment. Meanwhile, about 20,000 sq m of unorganised retail space was introduced, primarily in West Bay and Lusail Marina, reflecting continued commercial interest in these high-density zones. 'Outlet Village is particularly significant—it's not just additional space, but a curated retail experience aimed at value-conscious and brand-hungry consumers,' noted Sara Khatib, an industry expert. 'It represents a shift towards destination-driven shopping in Qatar.' Retail activity remained vibrant with new tenant entries and expansions in several malls. Centrepoint opened at Tawar Mall, and Doha Mall is still riding the momentum from its soft launch in late 2024 that welcomed 10 new Apparel Group stores. The Value Shop launched a second location at Abu Sidra Mall, while popular fast-food brand Raising Cane's expanded with a second outlet at Doha Festival City. The mall also became home to Spanish footwear brand Alma en Pena, marking its first entry into the Qatari market. Despite the ongoing development and tenant activity, the rental landscape reflected subdued optimism. The median monthly rental rate for shopping centres stood at QR182.5 per sq m, unchanged quarter-on-quarter but reflecting a 5.9 percent annual decline. 'Rent levels in malls are stabilising, but landlords are still negotiating aggressively to fill vacant units, especially in less footfall-heavy zones. The key challenge remains matching tenant mix with consumer expectations, Khatib said. Street retail showed more fluctuation. Within Doha, rents rose 1 percent QoQ but declined nearly 10 percent YoY, particularly in areas like Al Sadd, Al Bidda, Duhail, and Najma. Outside the capital, rents dipped 1 percent quarter-on-quarter and 2 percent annually, with areas such as Umm Salal, Ain Khalid, and Al Wakrah recording quarterly declines of 5 to 10 percent. On the other hand, Street retail is also grappling with shifting demand. Khatib further emphasised that, 'Consumers are either shopping online or consolidating their trips to larger malls with better amenities, leaving many high-street locations under pressure.' While Qatar's retail market remains structurally strong, Q1 2025 data underscores a strategic recalibration by both landlords and tenants. Expansion continues selectively, and rental dynamics are adjusting to a more consumer-driven and experience-focused era. The months ahead will test how well the sector can balance growth with evolving shopping habits in a post-pandemic, digital-influenced economy. As Qatar's retail sector continues to evolve, the blend of strategic expansions and location-specific rental variations underscores a market adapting to shifting consumer demands and economic realities. With both organised and unorganised segments showing signs of growth, the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, positioning Qatar as a resilient and attractive destination for retail investment in 2025 and beyond. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Arabian Business
09-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Qatar real estate: Property market shows stability amid mixed performance in Q1 2025
Qatar's real estate market demonstrated resilience in the first quarter of 2025, with residential capital values holding steady whilst office rental rates declined and tourism visitor numbers dropped. The ValuStrat Price Index (VPI) for residential capital values remained at 96.5 points in Q1 2025, unchanged from the previous quarter and year, according to the latest Qatar Real Estate Review. The index uses Q1 2021 as its base of 100 points. Anum Hassan, Head of Research at ValuStrat Qatar, said: 'The first quarter of 2025 reflected a broadly stable real estate landscape in Qatar, with most sectors experiencing either consolidation or modest downward adjustments.' Mixed trends in Qatar property market Apartment capital values reached QAR 10,420 per square metre, remaining stable over 12 months. The Pearl Island recorded sale rates of QAR 10,620 per square metre, showing no quarterly increase but registering a 1.6 per cent year-on-year rise. Villa prices held steady at QAR 5,500 per square metre both quarterly and annually, though values declined 1.5 per cent over two years. West Bay Lagoon and Old Airport saw decreases of 5.3 per cent and 4 per cent year-on-year, respectively, whilst Ain Khaled experienced a 2.2 per cent increase. The price-to-rent ratio for both apartments and villas remained at 19 years, with residential gross yield staying at 5.9 per cent. Apartments recorded 8.4 per cent yield whilst villas achieved 4.6 per cent. Residential transaction volume increased 13.2 per cent quarterly and 67.1 per cent year-on-year in Q1 2025. The median ticket size for housing units was QAR 2.7 million, up 3.8 per cent quarterly but down 3.6 per cent annually. The Pearl Island and Al Qassar recorded a 54.3 per cent surge in sales value, with transaction volume climbing 39.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter. Doha and Al Dayeen saw the highest transaction activity. ValuStrat launched its new Office Rental VPI in Q1 2025, covering over 90 per cent of national office supply across seven major clusters. The index registered 97.4 points, indicating a 1.5 per cent quarterly decline and 2.6 per cent year-on-year drop. Weighted average rents across Qatar stood at QAR 95 per square metre per month. Grade A offices experienced a 1.8 per cent quarterly reduction, averaging QAR 116 per square metre, whilst Grade B/C spaces remained steady at QAR 67 per square metre per month. The office supply expanded by approximately 60,000 square metres of gross leasable area during the quarter, pushing total supply beyond 7.3 million square metres. Key additions came from Marina 31, Corniche Park Towers, and office space in Baraha Motor City. Qatar recorded 1.6 million visitors in Q1 2025, primarily from GCC countries, though this represented a 6.7 per cent year-on-year decline. Hotel occupancy reached 71.3 per cent, down 3.5 per cent year-on-year. 💡In Qatar, tourist arrivals dipped 6.7%, but industrial activity surged with 32% more business licenses. Can sectors sustain momentum through 2025? 📩 Get to know more: #Qatar #RealEstate #Tourism #RealEstateNews #RealEstateTrends #ValuStratResearch — ValuStrat (@ValuStrat) July 6, 2025 Average Daily Rates (ADR) fell 6.4 per cent year-on-year to QAR 445, whilst Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) dropped 10.7 per cent to QAR 317. Five-star hotels achieved ADR of QAR 522, compared to QAR 175 and QAR 220 for three and four-star establishments respectively. 'Tourism remained a strong contributor to economic activity, with 1.6 million visitors recorded—primarily from the GCC,' Hassan noted. The hospitality stock totalled 40,787 keys, with 68 per cent comprising four to five-star hotels. An estimated 845 hotel keys are set to enter the market in 2025, concentrated in the four and five-star segments. New hotels inaugurated in Q1 2025 included the Andaz Doha with 256 rooms and Rosewood Doha with 317 keys. Retail leasing values held steady over the period. The median monthly rate for shopping centres stabilised at QAR 182.5 per square metre quarterly, though it dropped 5.9 per cent year-on-year. Organised retail space expanded with the addition of Centro Mall (2,500 square metres) and Outlet Village (30,000 square metres), whilst approximately 20,000 square metres of unorganised space entered the market in West Bay and Lusail Marina. The industrial segment demonstrated encouraging growth, with rents for ambient warehouses increasing 2.8 per cent quarterly to QAR 35.3 per square metre, despite a 6.8 per cent year-on-year decrease. Cold storage facilities saw monthly median rents rise 3.6 per cent quarterly and 5.5 per cent yearly, reaching QAR 44.3 per square metre. Commercial registrations grew 32 per cent from Q1 2024, supported by QAR 50 million in industrial investment and eight new factory launches. A new ministerial directive allowing company setup using passports and reduced fees for foreign investors drove an 87 per cent year-on-year rise in commercial licences. Qatar's real GDP in Q4 2024 grew 6.1 per cent year-on-year, reaching QAR 181.1 billion, according to the National Planning Council. The International Monetary Fund forecasts average growth of 2.4 per cent for 2025. The Qatar Central Bank maintained deposit, lending and repo rates between 4.6 per cent and 5.1 per cent in Q1. The country's population was estimated at 3.1 million. The Consumer Price Index reached 106.9 points in Q1 2025, maintaining annual stability. The Housing and Utility index declined 4.9 per cent, whilst the Communication sector increased 12.9 per cent year-on-year. The mortgage market recorded 323 transactions across all ready property asset classes in Q1 2025, down 2 per cent quarterly but up 37 per cent year-on-year. Total mortgage transaction value reached QAR 9 billion, reflecting a 63 per cent quarterly drop and 45 per cent year-on-year decline. The median monthly rent for residential units held steady quarterly but fell 1 per cent year-on-year to QAR 8,500. Apartment lease values stabilised at QAR 6,000 since the previous quarter whilst reflecting a 2 per cent annual drop. Over 18,000 apartment rental contracts were signed in Q1, marking a 15 per cent increase both quarterly and yearly. New lease agreements accounted for 82 per cent of total contracts, down from 95 per cent in the previous quarter. Villa median rent remained at QAR 11,000, stable quarterly but up 1 per cent annually. Around 6,048 villa lease contracts were signed during Q1 2025, reflecting increases of 10 per cent quarterly and 13.7 per cent year-on-year. Total residential stock during Q1 2025 was 401,542 units, comprising 253,513 apartments and 148,029 villas. An estimated 2,000 apartments were delivered during the quarter. Key additions included 690 units at Gewan Island (The Pearl), 377 in Shahad Tower (West Bay), and 676 across Lusail Marina's FJ Residence, Venice Tower, and Nayef Tower. 'In the months ahead, we anticipate further seasonal adjustments, particularly during the summer period, as the market continues to demonstrate resilience while adapting to evolving dynamics,' Hassan concluded. The Qatar government prioritised real estate and tourism in Q1 2025, implementing new policies to enhance investment opportunities and streamline regulations. The government awarded approximately QAR 6.2 billion in projects, boosting foreign contracts by 50 per cent whilst local firm allocations dropped 36.8 per cent.


Zawya
17-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Government strategies aim to enhance industrial sector by boosting SMEs
Doha, Qatar: The government's recent strategies to prioritise sustainable goals and bolster SMEs to expand their presence are poised to enhance the industrial sector in Qatar over the coming quarters, stated Anum Hassan, Head of Research at ValuStrat Qatar. Qatar has unveiled several key initiatives in the industrial sector in recent years, aimed at diversifying the economy, promoting sustainability, and fostering growth in line with the National Vision 2030. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) introduced Qatar's National Manufacturing Strategy, emphasising sustainable development, economic diversification, and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth, all aligned with the goals of the National Vision 2030. This strategy aims to position Qatar as a global hub for manufacturing excellence, contributing to the nation's long-term economic goals. Qatar introduced various incentives to attract both domestic and foreign investments in the industrial sector. These incentives include tax exemptions, financial support, and facilitation of land access for industrial projects, encouraging companies to establish and expand operations in Qatar. Qatar has been investing in the development of industrial zones, such as the Qatar Industrial Zone, to support manufacturing and other industrial activities. These zones provide infrastructure, logistical support, and regulatory frameworks designed to streamline the growth of industries like chemicals, steel, and heavy manufacturing. The country is also promoting the use of advanced technologies in the industrial sector, including the adoption of digitalization, automation, and smart manufacturing processes. These technologies are aimed at increasing productivity, enhancing competitiveness, and driving innovation across industries. These initiatives are aligned with Qatar's goal to diversify its economy away from oil and gas dependence and to establish a robust and competitive industrial sector that contributes to economic stability and growth. However, a recent data by ValuStrat shows that in the fourth quarter of 2024, the industrial sector experienced some adjustments, with rents for ambient warehouses and temperature-controlled facilities dropping by 7 percent and 1.2 percent quarter-over-quarter, respectively. According to the latest NPC data, the Industrial Production Index (IPI) with a base year of 2018=100, was recorded at 103.6 points. The foreign merchandise trade surplus reached a total of QR17.7bn, reflecting a significant positive balance in the country's trade of goods with international markets during the reported period. Over the course of the year, a total of 1,461 new industrial firms were established, contributing to an overall production value that exceeded QR2.6 trillion. This achievement represents a 3 percent year-on-year increase, highlighting the growth and expansion of the industrial sector. Qatar Maritime reported 261 vessel callings in December across Hamad, Doha, and Ruwais ports, marking a notable 17% year-on-year increase in port activity. Through out the year, more than 2,500 ships docked at these three ports, collectively handling over 1.3 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of container cargo, showcasing a strong performance in maritime trade. On the real estate front, the monthly median asking rent for ambient warehouses dropped by 7 percent quarter-over-quarter, settling at QAR 34.4 per square meter, which represents a 9.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Similarly, the monthly median rent for cold storage facilities saw a slight decline of 1.2 percent on a quarterly basis but experienced a 1.1 percent increase on a yearly basis, reaching QR42.7 per square meter. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( The Peninsula Newspaper


Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar sees strong residential performance in Q4 2024
Doha, Qatar: Qatar witnessed a positive and strong residential performance in the fourth quarter (Q4) of last year. The total residential stock during Q4 2024 was 399,542 units, comprising 251,513 apartments and 148,029 villas. An estimated 3,000 apartments and 100 villas were delivered during the quarter. The notable additions included 930 units across The Pearl's Giardino, Floresta, and La Plage South, along with 742 units delivered in Lusail Marina. The luxury waterfront townhouses were launched in the fourth quarter by Qatari Diar at The Seef and also the Barwa Real Estate Group launched the first phase of Barwa Hills in Lusail with 57 one-bedroom units, according to Q4 real estate research released by ValuStrat, yesterday. The fourth quarter outperformed previous periods, particularly in the residential sector, while other segments remained stable or saw corrections, Anum Hassan Head of Research in Qatar at ValuStrat said. A similar upward trend persisted in high-end districts, though this time concentrated among smaller one- and two-bedroom units. Notably, modest increments trickled into inner Doha as well. Meanwhile, mortgage transactions surged in the final quarter of 2024, nearing a 200 percent Year on Year (YoY) increase, she added. In Q4, villa sales volume saw a substantial quarterly rise of 33.7 percent, while maintaining stability on an annual basis. The median ticket size for housing units was QR2.6m, a decline of 1.9 percent Quarter on Quarter (QoQ) and 3.7 percent YoY. Meanwhile the highest transaction activity was recorded in Doha and Al Rayyan. The Pearl Island and Al Qassar saw sales volume rise by 34.3 percent QoQ, leading to a 37.2 percent increase in value. The median monthly rent for residential apartments held steady quarterly but fell 3.7 percent YoY Apartment monthly lease values stabilised at QR6,000 since last quarter, reflecting a 6 percent annual drop. For one-bedroom apartments, the median monthly lease rate was QR5,250, for two-bedrooms QR6,250, and for a three-bedroom QR8,000. Rents in The Pearl and Lusail rose by 1 percent, driven by higher rates for one and two bedroom units, while Al Muraikh, Al Mansoura, Al Wakrah, and Fereej Bin Mahmoud saw increases of up to 5 percent. Over 15,000 apartment rental contracts were signed in Q4, marking a 12 percent QoQ increase while remaining stable yearly. With 95 percent of contracts being new agreements, this suggests a high level of tenant mobility within the country. Al Wukair, Al Mashaf, and Al Thumama cumulatively were the top contracted areas with 4,529 leases, measuring an increase of 27.5 percent since last quarter. In case of villas median rent remained stable both quarterly and annually. Rents in Al Muraikh and Al Gharrafa fell by up to 5 percent QoQ, while other key areas remained unchanged. The median monthly rent for a three-bedroom villa was QR11,500, for a four-bedroom QR12,250, and for a five-bedroom QR13,750. Around 5,500 villa lease contracts were signed during Q4 2024 reflecting an increase of 3 percent QoQ and 8.5 percent YoY. New tenancies accounted for 88 percent of the total agreements In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Qatar real estate market witnessed 330 mortgage transactions across all asset classes of ready properties, an increase of 32 percent QoQ and 26 percent YoY. The total value attributed to mortgage transactions reached QR25.2bn during the quarter, reflecting a notable surge of 172.3 percent YoY. Doha recorded 95 deals worth QR16.4bn, the highest transaction value in five years, while Al Rayyan saw 96 transactions totalling QR5.4bn. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( The Peninsula Newspaper