DOHA: Garment shops in Souq Waqif are attracting huge crowds due to cheap rates, where many Qatari nationals are buying their new clothes for Eid, an Arabic daily reported yesterday.
“Despite a slight increase in the prices of the cloth used for thobe (traditional Qatari attire worn by men) at shops in Souq Waqif due to the growing demand before Eid, the prices are still cheaper compared to those in other outlets,” said Qatari national Sayif Al Anzi.
“Demand of thobes grew in the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan because people want to have new dresses for Eid,” said Mohammad Ismail, a salesman at a shop in Souq Waqif.
Essentially two brands of garments, Shakibo and Tibo, are in high demand.
They are available at almost all outlets at rates starting QR30 per metre, said Ismail.
A pair of thobe made from Tibo costs QR590 and one made from Shakibo is available at QR450, he added.
The cloth used for thobe plus tailoring charges is available at all outlets in Souq Waqif at QR200, while the same will cost QR300 outside, Al Anzi said.
Several Qataris prefer to buy complete roll of cloth which can make up to seven sets of thobes because it is expensive to buy cloth in metres.
Only those people who want to make one or two dresses buy cloth in metres, he added.
Shakibo and Tibo are popular brands among young Qataris; however elderly people and children prefer other brands.
All shops at Souq Waqif are prepared to meet the growing demand for cloth for Eid and said they have enough stocks. The Peninsula
