Building the first franchise in Qatar
Introduction
Ali bin Ali Hospitality sought to expand its portfolio by introducing the renowned British chocolate brand, Artisan de Chocolat, to Qatar. Known for its Michelin-starred chocolates, Artisan de Chocolat needed to maintain its luxury and unique selling points while adapting to the local Qatari market.
At a glance
- Focused on blending luxury British chocolate with Qatari gifting traditions.
- Designed a space that balances product visibility and optimal storage conditions.
- Overcame environmental challenges to preserve the quality of premium chocolates in Qatar's fluctuating weather.
Approach
Daya’s discovery phase focused on understanding Ali Bin Ali's goal of leveraging Qatar’s cultural practice of gift-giving. With four distinct product offerings planned for the retail outlet, our primary objective was to ensure a curated display that maximized both visibility and functionality.
We designed the store layout with 60% of the space dedicated to a wall-mounted, chilled chocolate display to highlight the ala carte selection. The engineering challenge was to maintain ideal storage conditions (15-18°C with 60% humidity) despite the extreme temperature fluctuations in Qatar. The remaining space was allocated for seasonal collections and a signature service counter featuring a fondue fountain and customized packaging options. A signature dome artwork centerpiece added an element of branding and elegance to the design.
Result
Daya successfully localized an international luxury brand for the Qatari market, overcoming the major challenge of managing temperature and humidity fluctuations. The space not only honored the local culture of gifting but also maintained the high standards of Artisan de Chocolat, delivering a well-curated retail experience that balanced aesthetic, convenience, and functionality.