HOKA has opened its first store in Qatar at Place Vendôme in Doha, marking the arrival of the global performance footwear and apparel brand at the destination and expanding its international sportswear and lifestyle lineup.
The new 180 sqm store, located on Level One beside New Balance and Geox, offers HOKA’s range of performance footwear, apparel and accessories aimed at runners, fitness enthusiasts and lifestyle consumers. The launch was carried out by Apparel Group, one of the region’s largest retail franchise operators.
The opening comes as Qatar’s lifestyle, wellness and athleisure retail sectors continue to expand, while Place Vendôme strengthens its position as a retail and leisure destination for residents, tourists and regional visitors.
Founded in the French Alps, HOKA has gained international recognition for footwear designed around cushioning, support and performance, attracting elite athletes, runners and consumers seeking technical footwear for both sport and everyday use.
The launch follows a period of leasing growth at Place Vendôme. During the first quarter of 2026, the destination secured 4,039 sqm of new leases across 10 new or expanded stores, including New Balance’s first “Grey Store” in the Middle East, alongside concepts such as Armani Caffe, Le Relais De L’Entrecote and Eataly.
Since opening in April 2022, Place Vendôme has attracted an average of around 45,000 visitors daily. The development includes more than 560 retail units across four floors, over 96 food and beverage outlets, Novo Cinemas, Trocadéro Theme Park and Le Royal Méridien Place Vendôme Lusail Hotel, Residences and La Vallée SPA Switzerland Spa.
Its luxury and lifestyle retail mix includes Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Cartier, Fendi, Gucci, Prada and Tiffany & Co., alongside brands such as H&M, Lululemon, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Samsung, Sephora, Virgin Megastore and Zara.
Shane Eldstrom CEO – United Developers
“The opening of HOKA’s first store in Qatar is a significant addition to Place Vendôme and reflects the continued evolution of our excellent brand mix. The growth of lifestyle and athleisure brands has been the defining theme of Qatar’s recent retail market, and HOKA is sure to be a welcome addition to this mix. At Place Vendôme, we are focused on creating a destination that brings together luxury, fashion, lifestyle, leisure and hospitality in a way that reflects how people want to shop, spend time and experience Qatar today. The arrival of HOKA adds another important dimension to that offer.”
Sanjay Mehta, Group Marketing Director at United Developers, said that, “HOKA’s opening is a strong example of the type of brand addition that continues to broaden the Place Vendôme experience. It speaks to Qatar’s growing interest in active lifestyles, ath-leisure performance retail and high-quality international brands, while also giving our visitors another reason to return to the destination. As Place Vendôme enjoys its fourth anniversary, we are continuing to build a balanced and commercially relevant offer that serves residents, families, tourists and the wider GCC customer base.”
Place Vendôme has received several industry awards, including World’s Most Beautiful Shopping Centre by UNESCO Prix Versailles, Premier Shopping Mall Experience at the Qatar Tourism Awards, and Best Mall 2024 and 2025 at the Shop Qatar Awards.
