BY FAZEENA SALEEM
DOHA: Traffic congestion and chaos on the city roads combined with huge rush at malls and hypermarkets have prompted many people to opt for online shopping this Eid Al Adha.
Among the most favourite items of purchase were, of course, branded clothes, but several women chose to rely on online bookings even for henna.
“It was easy to place the order online and get items delivered right at your doorstep within a short time,” an Asian woman told this newspaper. A number of online traders have been smart enough to choose social media as a marketing tool for clothing brands and to attract customers for things like henna designs.
“It was the first time I bought clothes online for Eid. It’s easy and safe, because the seller is in Doha and you don’t even need to pay before delivery,” said Razani Ismee, a young expatriate woman.
“I just saw the dress on the Facebook page of the seller, and placed the order by calling the number that was mentioned,” she added. Online stores display bigger collections of products, luring customers to buy more.
Another online shopper who had bought a collection of clothes said, “It’s easier than going to a shopping mall as these online sellers have a wide range of designer clothes available. I’m very happy to buy my Eid dress from an online store.”
Online traders in Doha deliver items within a day of receiving orders and claim that the demand from customers has increased compared to last year.
“We have more designer wear and exclusive patterns, and as soon as a customer makes the order we deliver within 24 hours free of charge,” said Rukshana Yunus Saiyed, from Rukshana’s Collection, which sells ladies wear.
“The number of people who buy clothes online has increased and three days before Eid we were very busy,” she added. Saiyed also said that they have a strong customer database with more than 21,000 followers on Facebook.
Some others who shopped from online stores outside Qatar also say that it’s convenient. “It takes around seven days to get items delivered in Doha, after an order is placed. Yet it’s easy and will get unique designs,” said a frequent online shopper.
Several others choose to select their henna design and fix an appointment online as it saves time. “If we walk into a salon and select the design it will take more time especially during the Eid season. We go through designs online and fix a time, so it’s done quickly,” said an Asian expatriate woman. The Peninsula
